Mid Century Modern enthusiasts are deeply invested and appreciative of the contributions of yesterday. We love the architecture, the fashion, the films, the food! (Okay maybe not the food—tuna jello molds were not the finest moment.) The mid century’s influence on music was perhaps the era’s most lasting contribution to modern culture. The 40s through 70s saw the invention of Swing, Rock, Blues and Funk—musical genres that endure to this day. While the era boasts a host of iconic artists, there are several contemporary artists that are worthy of a mid century enthusiast’s ear. Here are retro-inspired modern bands and musicians who draw from the mid century’s sound and style.
Atomic Ranch curates the best of Mid Century Modern Design to share with our readers. Some of the products you’ll see featured in this story are affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, AR will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Lemon Twigs
Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario are creating fresh songs with solidly 60s throwback sounds with echoes of The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and the melodic, sunny sounds of 60s pop-rock. They also record to tape for that warm, classic analog sound, wear their hair long and their album art uses retro graphic art. In fact, they even wear vintage clothes! Their songwriting is anything but copy and paste from the 60s and has earned them a solid fan base in their native Brooklyn.
Stream the Lemon Twigs on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or Amazon Music.
Or buy their albums on vinyl and check out tour dates here.
Saint Motel
One of today’s most exciting indie pop bands is Saint Motel. Their sound is a blend of retro pop and rock while still saying fresh and exuberant. Lead singer A/J Jackson’s vocals have a classic crooner quality, and the overall effect plays like the coolest Bond theme you’ve ever heard. Interestingly, the band contains two film students turned musicians, and their admiration of the mid century era is evident not just in their musical stylings but their visually transportive music videos as well.
Lead vocalist, A/J Jackson, perfectly sums up the group’s appreciation for the period: “Our admiration of Mid Century design is perhaps rooted in our love of retro futurism. A feeling of looking through the past to see well into the future. This ethos makes its way into a lot of what we create here at Saint Motel.”
Stream Saint Motel on Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Purchase a copy of “Saint Motel Television” here.
Lake Street Dive
With a sound that pays homage to the soulful rock of the 1960s, Lake Street Dive is the easy listening band you never knew you needed. They combine the classic pop sound of the 50s and 60s with the smooth blues/jazz tones of Motown. Furthermore, lead singer Rachael Price’s deep and smooth vocals have to be heard to be believed.
Stream Lake Street Dive on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Purchase a copy of “Side Pony” here.
Sugar and the Hi-Lows
Lighthearted and fun, this duo combines the talents of two Nashville singer-songwriters, Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup, to create throwback sounds that feel as infectious as they are wholesome.
Stream Sugar and the Hi-Lows Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. Or visit their website here.
Leon Bridges
With a soulful sound straight out of the 50s and 60s, Leon Bridges exploded onto the music scene in 2015 and hasn’t stopped wowing audiences since. A talented guitarist and vocalist, he’s been compared to classical artists such as Otis Redding and has a devoted Gen Z fan base. Looks like the “kids these days” have excellent taste.
Stream Leon Bridges on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Purchase a copy of “Coming Home” here.
Caro Emerald
Originally from the Netherlands, Caro Emerald has a sound that blends together throwback sounds from the jazz of the 40s and 50s with the big band sounds of orchestral Latin. She’s known for her fantastic live performances and has continued her show on Instagram Live amid the pandemic. If you’re a fan of swing music that’s as bold as it is stylish, you’ll enjoy “The Shocking Miss Emerald.”
Stream Caro Emerald on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Purchase a copy of “The Shocking Miss Emerald” here.
Yola
The Bristol-born vocal powerhouse combines soul with a bit of country/Americana. Yola’s resonance with mid century sounds is evidenced by her inclusion portraying the influential gospel/blues performer Sister Roretta Tharpe in the Elvis biopic film.
Stream Sugar and the Hi-Lows Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. Or visit Yola’s website here.
Tame Impala
Often confused for being a band, Tame Impala is actually an instrumentalist extraordinaire, Kevin Parker. His sound is a modern expression of the experimental rock of the late 60s and 70s. There’s often a delicious baseline and light layered vocals that carry you back to the days when disco was introduced to electronic funk. He’s a musician’s musician and a true artist.
Stream Tame Impala on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Purchase a copy of “The Slow Rush” here.
Eryn Allen Kane
Her early work brings to mind the soulful singers of the mid century like Aretha Franklin. After a vocal injury, Kane’s work continued to morph and sounds less obviously influenced by the mid century, but it carries forward the pioneering spirit of finding new forms from using spoken word to Grammy-worthy collaboration with a variety of artists.
Stream Eryn Allen Kane on YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music. Visit her website here.
Harry Styles
I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out: Harry Styles may have gotten his start in a modern-pop boy band, but his solo career is an expression in classic rock. His latest album Fine Line, has influences of the bold male vocalists of the 1970s. Take a look at the exuberant video for “Treat People With Kindness” and enjoy the new era of Style’s retro-rock.
Stream Harry Styles on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora and YouTube.
Purchase a copy of “Fine Line” here.
John Mayer
Yes, we know he has a bad boy reputation and many of his albums lately have leaned more towards pop. But at heart, he is a blues guitarist inspired by the likes of B.B. King. His live album “Where the Light Is” includes an impressive blues trio segment.
Stream John Mayer on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music. Visit his website here.
Postmodern Jukebox
Today’s hits reimagined in a retro style—how’s that for a twist? Founded by pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011, Postmodern Jukebox is a rotating collective of musical artists who take modern songs and rearrange them in styles ranging from 20s jazz to 60s rockabilly and everything in between. Their covers are absolutely amazing and completely addictive. They’re also known for incorporating vintage styles of dance into their videos and live performances.
Streaming on Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music.
Purchase a copy of “The Essentials” here.
The Lumineers
It may not be as clear as some of the others on this list, but their stripped down sound, penchant for narrative and political critique arguably stands in the heritage of mid century musical country/folk giants like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.
Stream The Lumineers on Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube. Visit their website here.
Looking for more throwback sounds? Get your MCM holiday playlist ready! Or get inspired for your ways to play and store your vinyl collection here. Explore more Mid Century musical styles here.
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