Must-hear Montréal indie music

KAYTRANADA — ‘Space Invader’ from the LP AIN’T NO DAMN WAY!

With no exaggeration, KAYTRANADA has added his name to the rolodex of the world’s hottest producers and made Montréal proud with his unique production sense and eye-popping list of big-time collaborators including Mary J. Blige, Gorillaz, Childish Gambino and PinkPantheress. Openly queer and with a style all his own, Kaytranada is making waves in both the underground and mainstream entirely on his own terms. (Be sure to also check out the hip-hop valentine to MTL ‘My Crew’, his collaboration with Cadence Weapon, himself proud Montréal alumni).

FAZE — ‘Wanna Be Good’ from the EP Big Upsetter 

FAZE are a leading force in Montréal hardcore and one of the city’s best live bands. Taking inspiration from Canadian and Japanese hardcore with a dash of psych and trombone thrown in for good measure, any time FAZE are on the bill it’s sure to be a memorable night. Their Bandcamp bio puts it best: “Like driving a supercar from René-Lévesque all the way to the 40 on Saint-Laurent at 200 KPM, FAZE is Montréal itself seen at speeds way to f***ing fast.”

Ribbon Skirt — ‘Cellophane’ from the LP Bite Down

Unstoppable duo Ribbon Skirt blend driving indie rock sounds with inspiration from vocalist and guitarist Tashiina Buswa’s Anishinaabe heritage (their name comes from a traditional garment worn by women and Two-Spirit people). Their debut full-length album Bite Down includes collaborations with the likes of Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier, Scott Munro from Preoccupations and Marlaena Moore, and was met with critical acclaim and a shortlist nomination for the Polaris Prize.

Erika Angell — ‘Never Tried to Run’ from the LP The Obsession with Her Voice

Erika Angell has long been familiar to Montréal audiences having performed as a member of Thus Owls, The Moth, Josef & Erika and Beatings are in the Body, along with blessing albums by fellow local artists including Leonard Cohen, La Force and The Besnard Lakes with her distinctive vocals. Finally performing solo, Angell creates unforgettable soundscapes from little more than layered synth and her unforgettable voice.

Jeremy Dutcher — ‘Pomawsuwinuwok Wanakiyawolotuwok / ᐯᒪᐧᓱᐧᐃᓄᐧᐁᒃᐧᐊᓇᑭᔭᐧᐁᓓᑐᐧᐁᒃ’ from the LP Motewolonuwok

Not only one of Canada’s most decorated young musicians (and the only two-time winner of the prestigious Polaris Prize), Jeremy Dutcher brings a one-of-a-kind Indigiqueer ethos to his layered songs, which draw inspiration from both his classical music training and archival recordings of Indiginous singing. Live, there are few vocalists quite as powerful.

Elle Barbara’s Black Space — ‘Your Favourite Meal’ from the LP Word on the Street

A musician, event producer, mother of the House of Barbara and activist, Elle Barbara is no stranger to Montréal’s underground. With Elle Barbara’s Black Space and the debut album Word on the Street (released on the influential American indie label K Records), reaches all new heights. Bonus points for sampling the departure sound of Montréal’s métro system before the climactic breakdown of album standout ‘Your Favourite Meal’.

Markus Floats — ‘AS ABOVE’ from the LP Fourth Album

Signed to the influential Constellation Records (home of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Erika Angell, Colin Stetson and many others), Markus Floats is the solo project of Montréal bassist Markus Lake. Equally expressive and experimental, his sonic explorations pull inspiration from all directions, including free jazz, R&B and post-punk. 

Laurie Torres — ‘Lisière’ from the LP Après coup

Keyboardist Laurie Torres released her debut full-length album Après coup in 2025, quickly selling out of its limited vinyl pressing on Tonal Union records. In live performance, her gently billowing pieces are both calming and invigorating, be it on larger local stages including Théâtre Fairmount or in up-close in-studio performances that sell out in a heartbeat. 

Pierre Kwenders — ‘Papa Wemba’ from the LP José Louis and the Paradox of Love

Born in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pierre Kwenders moved to Montréal as a teenager and his globe-trotting music—performed in four languages, no less—blends these influences into something entirely new. His album José Louis and the Paradox of Love was bolstered by guest appearances from Tendai Maraire of Shabazz Palaces, Ngabo and the Africa Intshiyetu Choir and was awarded the Polaris Prize. Kwenders also hosts and organizes the Moonshine dance party series (venue details only via SMS), an unmissable MTL experience.

Phobocosm — ‘Sempiternal Penance’ from the LP Gateway

Montréal’s independent music scene is one that’s all over the place, from punk to electro and everything in-between. The city’s independent metal community is incredibly active, stretching back as far as scene forefathers Voivod, founded in 1982, and still going strong. Phobocosm’s albums stretch the limits of death metal with exploratory passages and atmospheric segueways, based on the group’s driving inspirations of “apocalypse and philosophy.”