Hi, I'm McKenna, one of the staff members at Records on Main. Over the years I’ve gotten to know Denver as a musician, a photographer, and as a music lover and it has given me some of my favorite memories over the years. I wanted to use this space to shine a light on a few of the local musicians who've earned a permanent spot on my playlists. These are artists I've watched grow, performed alongside, and genuinely can't stop recommending to everyone who walks into Records on Main.
Here are four of my current favorites:
Katie Yeager (she/he/they)
For Fans Of: boygenius, Leith Ross, and Adrianne Lenker
Genre(s): Folk, Pop
Katie is a singer/songwriter from the metro Denver area and they are one of my personal favorite vocalists in Denver right now. Katie has made no secret of their tendency to write songs about their favorite movies and tv characters and even describes their songwriting style as "part journal entry, part fanfiction." Some highlights have included characters from Heartstopper, The Marauders, and some you might just have to discover for yourself.
I first met Katie when we were working together at a summer camp and bonded over our shared love of George Harrison and Harry Styles. They soon became a staple in the Records on Main world after being one of our featured artists during Spin HerStory. As fellow Harry Styles fans, we love to see Katie pop into the store as a performing artist or to attend our Harry Styles listening parties.
Unceasingly vulnerable and deeply authentic, Katie is someone who will worm their way into your heart before you even realize it. I've known Katie since they were working on their Adaline singles series, but they really shine on their album Talking To Myself. Their best songwriting, production, and singing collide here for the listener's pleasure. When you see them opening for Leith Ross or Phoebe Bridgers one day, be sure to tell Katie that I sent you.
Katie can be seen performing solo around Denver, as well as a member of the trio Children Of Divorce (alongside Finn O'Sullivan and Genevieve Libien) and their rock band Coming Forth By Day (alongside Andrew Brand, Ryan Milan, and Hunter Twitty).
Mae Hunniford (she/her)
For Fans Of: Hayley Williams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Wolf Alice
Genre(s): Punk/Pop/Rock
Mae Hunniford is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Denver who makes punk-influenced pop and rock music. She made her debut on the Denver scene as the frontperson of beloved indie rock band Tireshoe, and since their breakup she has been making waves as a solo artist. You might've just seen her at Blucifer’s First Rodeo or the Underground Music Showcase recently!
Mae has always had an ear for catchy melodies and she has one of the most jaw dropping voices in the pop/rock world as far as I’m concerned. Go ahead and add her to your must-see-live list while her tickets are still cheap.
As she has worked her way through her CU Denver music industry studies program, her expertise can be seen in all facets of her brand, from her music and songwriting to her branding and styling. I had the privilege of singing backup for Mae during Tireshoe’s headlining Halloween show at the Oriental Theater in 2024 and I can vouch firsthand for the confidence she has in her vision and her dedication to seeing that everything she creates matches her expectations.
Mae’s songs have been stuck in my head since her Tireshoe days, and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to as a solo artist.
May Be Fern
For Fans Of: Santana, Heart, and The Cure
Genre(s): Indie Rock/Pop
If somehow you're local to Denver and haven't heard about May Be Fern yet, please allow me the privilege of putting you on. With dream ethereal lead vocals and fun keys and synths that no one else is using, these ladies have a special charm and it's no secret why they've been catapulted to the forefront of the Denver indie rock scene.
May Be Fern is an all-women funk rock trio made up of Kate Fern, Hannah May and Madi Spillman. Their latest album, Three of Swords, is reminiscent of all your favorite artists from decades gone by. You'll hear Santana, Heart, and The Cure woven into the music these ladies are making now.
If you've ever thought "I wish there was a band that my dad and I could see together in their prime and both enjoy" look no further. With a flair for the dramatic, May Be Fern is bringing funk back to Denver in such a fun way.
They will be playing Cervantes Other Side for their Three of Swords tour kickoff show on September 11th and you don’t want to miss it.
Waxpool
For Fans Of: Two Door Cinema Club, Mac DeMarco, and The Backseat Lovers
Genre(s): Indie/Alt Rock
Imagine: you tell your buddy “Hey if you need someone to open for a show some day, hit me up!” not expecting them to ever do it. Well, for waxpool, it actually happened. If you happen to listen to indie and alternative rock like I do, you might've heard these guys pop up on your TikTok in the last few months like I did and wondered who they are and where they came from. Turns out the reason it feels like they popped up out of nowhere is because they did!
They accidentally got added to a bill last November as a favor to a friend of lead singer Michael Whelcel, and in less than a year they already have an EP and a handful of singles on Spotify. For fans of Two Door Cinema Club, Mac DeMarco, and The Backseat Lovers, you may want to add these guys to your playlist now so you can say “I knew them when.”
They do everything out of Whelcel’s apartment, from writing and recording to burning CD’s to sell at their live shows. Something about waxpool is so refreshing and fun, an indie rock band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously and are totally willing to confess that before booking their first show, they hadn’t even planned on being a band.
Their authenticity feels so true to the Denver scene as a whole, they’re just three guys who play music together just because they love it. They’re keeping it simple and I, personally, find waxpool to embody Denver’s music scene and it’s been an honor to see Denver embrace them so quickly.
