This may be my first time writing for Queer Kentucky, but it’s not my first time writing about the Louisville music scene. Running Louisville F*cks, a music media company documenting what Louisville music has to offer the world, I spend a lot of time trying to find artist to shine the light on. “But what about the queer artist?” you may be asking. Well, I have some good news for you because I’ve found five Incredibly talented and incredibly queer artists kicking ass in Kentucky’s largest city. From Hyperpop to Hardcore, there’s a flavor of queer lead music for everyone, and you don’t have to travel out of state to get it. So, get your playlist ready and warn your neighbors things are about to get loud.

Annahelen Croce – Ahc – Hyperpop

I was already halfway through writing this article when I walked into Cry Baby to grab another copy of Queer Kentucky’s ISSUE 04 when I heard Ahc playing and instantly fell in love with it. I asked who it was and was informed that Ahc was a Louisville local, it’s rare for me to come across an artist from this city I haven’t heard, especially one so talented. The second I got into my car I started blasting her latest hyperpop album, ‘multicolor’ and that was it. I knew I had to put her on this list so others can fall in love with the fast beats and smooth lyrics of Ahc.

Violet Archaea – The Archaeas – Punk

Chaos, passion, and punk rock: the cheat code to my heart. Trans-women-led band, The Archaeas hits that primal urge to let loose and rage out. I am eagerly awaiting their next full-length album. Word on the street is it may be dropping in early 2025, and more Archaeas is exactly what the world needs. Unrelenting driving guitars and rugged vocals filled with the raw punk energy that many queer folks like myself love to use as an outlet for the hate aimed at us just being ourselves. Go to a show of theirs and let loose those feelings while surrounded by others that feel the same.

Milennis Agosto – Milennis – Indie Pop

Early into covering Louisville music I found myself in a random house show in the West End after leaving another show I wasn’t feeling. What I found when I got there was Lenni playing an intimate acoustic set while everyone sat around the room watching and listening, the kind of scene you expect from a mid 2000’s indie romance. While I didn’t fall in love with the person of my dreams that night, I did fall in love with the music of Lenni. There was a vulnerability and charm to the lyrics and performance I’ve only ever witnessed from truly talented musicians. Something I can honestly say that Lenni is.

Glory Daze – Glory Daze – Indie Folk

The soft spot I have in my heart for the soft and vulnerable tones in folk music is way bigger than I typically let on, but the singer songwriter, Glory Days, pierces that soft spot through to the core. I sometimes struggle to let myself feel and that’s when I turn to music. Glory Daze has been helping me feel while writing this article. The somber beautiful longing in his EP, ‘Honey, I…’ will be something I go back to time and time again when I need the music to say the words, I can’t quite say myself.

Maria Blair – Split Intentions – Hardcore

I can’t think of anything more Hardcore than a lesbian lead band breaking into a heavily straight cis male dominated genre, and break in they have. Quickly becoming a staple of Louisville’s hardcore scene, Split Intentions has blasted off with their first self-titled EP, ‘Split Intentions’. Maria was a huge part of the scene even before making it on stage with her company, Art Echo. Making logos for bands, designing merch, creating flyers for local shows, and even planning the shows herself, she has more than earned her spot on this list, and if you aren’t afraid of a few bruises hit up a Split Intentions show and feel that passion firsthand.

Now that your playlist is packed full of songs from these 5 amazing queer Louisville artists, you can help spread the word and pass these artists along to your friends and lovers. Did your favorite queer Louisville artist not make the list? No worries, it’s not a rating, reach out and tell me all about the artist you love and why you love them, I’d also love to hear about the queer musicians all over Kentucky that you love so I can write more of these and shine the light on all the talented people I can.