Created by Kasey, IndiesNext is an independent music discovery platform built for the fans, by a fan. Born out of a deep love for storytelling and raw lyricism, it’s a dedicated space championing emerging artists who prioritize genuine connection over algorithmic virality. Offering everything from hand-curated monthly Spotify playlists and editorial scrapbooking to their Under the Covers YouTube series featuring stripped-back, original live performances.

Before we get into the interview, Kasey has fed us (and now you) on a handpicked playlist. Join us and indulge.

We review artists. We build playlists. We have loud opinions about the absolute state of the music industry. You know this.

But somewhere in between all of that, we realized we had been doing a lot of talking and not much listening. Specifically to the people who are doing the exact same thing we are, from somewhere else entirely.

We found IndiesNext mid-scroll on Instagram at a time of night that was not sensible. Something stopped us.

Genuine digging for the independent music that the major labels have walked straight past, built around a community of people who actually care. We love that.

Behind all of it is Kasey, who started this out of love and has kept it that way. IndiesNext is one of the voices that are keeping music discovery exciting.

We wanted to know what the music world looks like from where they are standing. So we asked.

I’ve always been a huge fangirl. I grew up in the One Direction era and had pretty much every piece of merchandise with Harry Styles’ face on it. That was the first time I really remember not just liking music, but truly loving it and feeling connected to the artists behind it, and the atmosphere music can create.

I think that fangirl energy has followed me into everything I do with IndiesNext. It’s a big part of why I care so much about the artists I share and the community I’m building around them.

Music has always been something I’ve loved, but that period really put it into perspective just how much it meant to me, and that’s something that’s stayed with me into adulthood and shaped the platform I’ve built today.

Lyrics are a huge thing for me. I love music across all kinds of genres, but I always come back to the lyrics first, especially ones that feel open to interpretation and tell a story.

The music I’m drawn to is often inspired by artists like Leith Ross, Noah Kahan, and Sam Fender. They have a way of pulling you in from the first listen, letting you step into their world while still leaving space for you to connect it to your own life.

I think the feeling of just being human is always at the forefront of the music I share. That’s the common thread for me, music that feels honest, and rooted in storytelling.

For me, it’s when an artist is able to build a real, active community around them. We’re in such a fast-paced world with constant uploads, so when you see an artist genuinely engaging with people, replying to comments, and having the same group of supporters show up for them every time, no matter how small, it really stands out. There’s something special about that kind of connection, and it definitely ties back to that fangirl side of me.

I’m also always drawn to artists who feel truly individual. Someone who has a clear sense of who they are, not just in their music but in how they present themselves. That’s one of the reasons I’ve loved following Sofia and the Antoinettes, she has such a unique, cinematic style that runs through everything she does.

When you can recognise an artist through a colour, a visual, or a feeling before you even hear the song, that’s when I know they’re doing something special.

I’ve always loved music, but for a long time, especially when I was younger, I didn’t really understand why. I couldn’t sing or play an instrument, so I wasn’t sure where I fit into it.

That changed during lockdown when I came across a video of someone doing a day in the life as an A&R. It was the first time I really realised there was a whole other side to music beyond just the artist, and that discovery side had always been what drew me in.

From there, I finally took the step and created IndiesNext almost a year ago, coming up to a year in May. It gave me a space to share the music I love, discover new artists, and combine it with my love for visuals, scrapbooking, and video.

What keeps me going is that constant feeling of finding something new, an artist or a song, and being able to share it in a way that feels creative and personal to me.

I mostly use Spotify. I find it works best for building and sharing playlists that are active and easy to discover for both listeners and artists.

As someone who curates, I think Spotify pushes playlists out more than other platforms, which really helps, not just my page, but also the artists I’m championing through them.

That said, I’m very aware that Spotify, and streaming platforms in general, don’t always support artists financially in the best way. It’s something I think about a lot, and I’d actually be really interested in hearing from artists about where they’d prefer their music to be streamed to benefit them most.

I find a lot of the artists I share through social media, especially Instagram and TikTok. It’s so easy now to come across your next favourite artist in a really natural way, and it gives me a quick insight not just into their music, but who they are as a person and what they stand for.

If something catches my attention, I’ll always go a bit deeper, looking through their older releases, their visuals, and how they present themselves as a whole.

I also discover a lot of artists through emails and submissions, which is always such a privilege. Being able to hear music before it’s even released into the world is something I never take for granted.

I think there’s a lot going on in the music scene right now, especially with how fast everything moves and the rise of things like AI, which personally isn’t something I support in the music space.

But one thing I think more artists and listeners should be paying attention to is the importance of building a real community. You can have thousands of followers, but if they’re not genuinely connected to you, it doesn’t mean much.

The artists that really stand out are the ones who build a core group of people who support everything they do, streaming the music, coming to shows, and buying into the world they’re creating.

And from a listener’s side, I think it’s just as important. If you hear a song you love on TikTok, letting the artist know, saving it, or adding it to your playlists can make such a difference.

In such a fast-paced industry, focusing on that kind of genuine connection is more important than ever.

Jake Minch — someone I recommend all the time. He’s a slightly bigger artist, but I’m always surprised he isn’t even bigger yet. If you love that rich, storytelling style like Noah Kahan, you’ll really connect with his music. It’s open to interpretation in a way that makes it feel personal to your own life.

Leona Rue — she sits in that indie pop, slightly alternative space and creates such beautiful music. It’s a style often dominated by male artists, so it’s really refreshing to see her in that space and doing it so well.

Lydia May — she has that alt-pop energy that fits alongside artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan. There’s something really confident and distinct about her sound that makes her stand out straight away.

You can find me on TikTok and Instagram @indiesnext, where I share most of my music discovery content and artist recommendations.

I also create monthly playlists on Spotify, featuring the artists I’m loving at the moment.

More recently, I’ve started a YouTube series called Under the Covers, where emerging artists perform stripped-back covers or original versions of their own songs.

You can also find more about everything we do, including articles and visuals, at IndiesNext.com

TikTok @indiesnext
Instagram @indiesnext
YouTube @indiesnext