We’re super late to the party, but we still want award the music we think deserve it for 2023! Join us in celebrating our musical community!
Full disclosure, I’m in the band King of Cups and Sugar Shaun, so they won’t be included in this award post. However, if you like this article, then you could hear King of Cups here:
We also have a pod cast!
If your band or your favorite artist didn’t make the list, do understand that we’re doing the best we can to find as many musical artists we can in our scene. If you aren’t here, then we probably don’t know about you! Follow us on Instagram and be sure to submit your tracks to our playlists!
Band of the Year 2023
Number One Sons
Number One Sons
Number One Sons have been a favorite of ours since we discovered them. We’ve been friends with Danny for a while and we think they deserve so much more attention! Their Wankers EP is 100% a Pop-Punk classic! It’s got fan favorite “I’d Be So Much Cooler If I Was a Dick” on it. All the tracks are incredible! They’ve also had so much success since then too! Their “October Air” was a breakout success and what they’ve been doing in 2024 has been amazing!
Most Anticipated Album 2024-2025
BryGuy
BryGuy has worked with some awesome bands like Promise Game and Always Grounded, and I hear word, he’s going solo! That’s right, our favorite collaborative artist is going solo. The word on the street is that he’s working on something completely out of this world! We so look forward to the incredible album!
Most Anticipated Pop-Punk EP 2024
Aim for the Heart
Aim for the Heart, our pick for the most anticipated Pop-Punk EP of 2023, didn’t come out. That’s okay; good things come to those who wait. Their Demo for “Wish You Were Here” was incredible for a demo. They finally released their first single, “Circles,” this year. So, we’re excited for their full EP! That’s why they were our pick for newcomers of the year of 2022.
Best Pop-Punk fusion track of 2023
Mixed Kid Fridays – “Polaroid”
Mixed Kid Fridays are always a joy to hear! They are literally the Beatles of Pop-Punk with their innovations and creativity. It was hard to choose between their Funky track, “The Ghost of Funky Chuck,” and “Polaroid,” but their track, “Polaroid,” won out. “Polaroid’s” vibrant soundscape that blends nostalgia with Pop-Punk masterfully.
Best Pop-Punk Song of the Year 2023
Free Friends – “Checkpoint”
Free Friends blow us away with every release! It’s like they get better each and every time they put out new music. Their output of bangers is nothing short of impressive. Also, Ben DeHan is an incredibly nice guy. Being kind really puts you on our radar! Thank you for being awesome Free Friends! We love what you’ve been doing in 2024 so far! Keep up the phenomenal work!
Best Punk song of 2023
Seven Times Driven – “Chameleon”
Seven Times Driven caught our attention in 2023 and he held our attention. It was a tough choice between “Non-Fiction” and “Chameleon,” but Scott’s story about “Chameleon” allowed it to win out. “Chameleon’s” unapologetic Punk Rock energy is so good!
Metalcore/Post-Hardcore Collaborative Artist of the Year 2023
Coe Hill “Broken Steps”
Coe Hill was our Metalcore/Post-Hardcore Collaborative Artist of 2021, 2022, and guess what? He’s our number one for 2023. “Broken Steps” blew our minds with how catchy the track is! We loved it! Plus, his playlists are the awesome! New Alternative, Post-Hardcore Is Not Dead, New Metalcore, & Underground Pop Punk
Best Radio Rock 2023
Crisis Culture – “Deep Within”
Crisis Culture is receiving our reward for best radio rock for the third year in a row. There’s a reason for that. Check out their track “Deep Within” and tell me it doesn’t want to make you start headbang. The track is completely inspired by Halo and we love that!
Best Audio Engineer 2023
Tonality Studio
Tonality Studio has always impressed us with their mixes and they just keep getting better! Tonality Studio level up recently and starting using new tools to bring their mixes way beyond the next level. You want crystal-clear mixes with all the excitement you’d expect from a track? Choose Tonality Studio.
Best Painter/Visual Artist of the Year 2023
Michelle Dahl
Michelle Dahl wins Best Painter/Visual Artist for the third year in a row! We love what she does! We love her art style and find it so incredible! You need a portrait? Ask Michelle Dahl for one!
Best Rock, Metal, Punk, and More Music Video Posts of the Year 2023
Signal Chords
Signal Chords always impresses us with their output and how many bands they support. We absolutely love that! Thank you for all you do, Signal Chords!
Best Publicity Company for the Scene of the Year 2023
Don’t Blink Music Group
Don’t Blink Music Group continues to stuff our inbox with some of the best bands the scene has to offer! If you need an incredible group of publicists, then look no further thank the Don’t Blink Music Group!
Best East Coast Publicity Company 2023
Knyvet
We love Knyvet! Michael is so kind and works hard for his bands! Michael is so easy to work with, we couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to go with anyone else! Book Knyvet now if you’re on the East coast!
Daddiest Promotion Company/Best Scene Memes 2023
Scene Daddy
Scene Daddy always entertains us with their hilarious scene memes. We love seeing them in our feed! We’ve been working with Scene Daddy for a while and we LOVE what they do for their bands. It’s incredible! If you need help with promotions, Scene Daddy has you covered!
Best Record Label of 2023
Affiant Records
Affiant Records are awesome! They introduce us to so many amazing bands! It’s incredible! Thank you, Affiant Records! We look forward to seeing what you have in store for 2024!
Best Promotion of Bands of the Year 2023
Stage Diving with Scotty
Stage Diving with Scotty has slowed down in his output lately, but that’s okay. He’s a busy man. We still love him either way. He does some incredible things for bands and we adore him for it! Keep it up, Scotty!
Best Pop-Punk Twitch Show
Punky’s MixTape
Punky’s MixTape has the funnest Twitch show hands down. These guys know how to entertain and foster and incredibly supportive community for all the bands they work with. We thank them for their hard work and for creating such a supportive community!
Best Video Game In Development of the Year 2023
Sanctuary: Shattered Sun
Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is an RTS inspired by Total Annihilation and The Supreme Commander series. We’ve been following this one for a while and we’re hyped for it! Their demo definitely hit the mark! We can’t want until the full release!
Previous Bands of the Year:
2022: Protect Your Heart
2021: Promise Game
