There is something so scintillating yet simple about someone playing guitar while singing. In a world crowded with copious amounts of sound pollution labeled as music, it can be difficult to sift through to the hard-hitting stuff.
Gone are the days when talent alone makes you heard. Newer artists have taken to social media apps like Instagram to promote their sound and all too often, they are not rewarded aptly. But Instagram’s algorithm can be a beautiful invention when it comes to sweeping sweet hidden sounds from the source all the way to your device. Since we all love to hear good music, I am here to share some of the brilliance that’s drifted into my hands on the app, and the artists who so desperately deserve your attention.
Jasper Hartman
Australian creator @jib__music gained traction for his song “rain / weary eyes,” which was inspired by the Nepal floods.
He has an extremely similar singing style and sound to Nick Drake and bears a strong resemblance to Anthony Kiedis. His forte is incorporating clever twiddly runs on the guitar with a very apparent appreciation for harmonics.
Todd Crozier
Similarly poetic in sound is @toddsantlers, a 16-year-old singer-songwriter who shows astounding maturity in his musical decision making.
He strings together unique chord progressions and lays brilliant drawn-out vocals over them to create music that sounds as if Thom Yorke of Radiohead possessed the vocal inflection and lyrical genius of Joni Mitchell. He combines a passive fingerpicking style of guitar that is complemented beautifully by a small and lilting voice.
Joseph Weightman
In another corner of Instagram Reels, @josephweightman draws comparisons to Paul Simon mixed with Post Malone. He uses a classical style of guitar with nylon strings that gives his playing a pluckier and gentler feel.
His track “Weight of This Worry” debuted in late January of this year and was followed shortly by a full-length album titled “Seven Hills.”
Zara Dalvi
Also worth notice is @zaradalvi, a singer and guitar player who has released her own songs on streaming platforms but is most known for her covers.
She fully produces both guitar and vocal tracks separately on her videos for a glassier and more polished sound and has vocal similarities to Tate McCrae. She sings her own renditions of hit pop and indie songs, most notably her mashup of “The Dress” by Dijon and “In Your Atmosphere” by John Mayer.
She has since released several originals on streaming services.
Tom Abisgold
Finally and fantastically, @tomabisgold is something out of another world. He is another artist who likes to put a spin on popular songs and mashups. His ability to play the guitar and sing as two separate entities is incredible, which is why it is so impressive to see the two work simultaneously.
His renditions of Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors” and Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” are among his most viewed videos, and he uploads new covers almost bi-monthly.
There is so much talent teeming from only a few artists local to your Instagram Reels page and it’s all free! Give them a listen and you may find the song you have been waiting to hear, but you just didn’t know.