Throughout the year, you have been hearing from Northeast Ohio musicians through Shuffle, your backstage pass to the independent music scene. Now let's look back at 2024. Shuffle’s Amanda Rabinowitz and Brittany Nader reflect on their favorite local albums of the year, from genre-blending experimentation to new discoveries. 

A Kent rapper has established himself as a leading voice in “nerdcore”. Austin "Gameboy" Jones shares how he built a massive following for his songs inspired by anime, video games and other elements of so-called geek culture.

Joe Risdon of Akron rock band the Buffalo Ryders shares how a creative retreat into nature and writing in the wild helped his band put together their 2024 album, "Never On Time."

Cleveland art-rock duo Mr. Gnome explores new songwriting methods and psychedelic orchestration on their eagerly anticipated new album, released in September. They recently wrapped up a month-long tour after being on hiatus since 2017.

From an album release to a residency at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Clare Feorene is having a big year in music. Yet, her success has come with new challenges. On this week’s Shuffle, the Cleveland singer-songwriter talks about building self-confidence and finding a community.

A Geauga County singer-songwriter has been nurturing a festival showcasing Northeast Ohio’s music scene over the last decade. On this week’s Shuffle, Chardon native Lea Marra shares her hopes for the Wild Maple Music Festival to inspire and grow the arts in her rural community.

A fixture in the Northeast Ohio blues scene has returned to the stage after a health scare last year. Wallace Coleman reflects on his 30-plus year career of playing harmonica and singing the blues during a special live performance and interview.

Multi-instrumentalist Justin Miller’s indie-rock project Kultures has been quietly gaining momentum and attention for its expansive soundscapes and introspective lyrics.

The musician and his bandmates will release their second album, “Dreamstacks,” Friday. The songs are inspired by actual dreams Miller has had. 

Cleveland indie rock duo Messmaker has a sound big enough to fill stadium, with a flashy stage show small enough to fit in a hatchback. On this week’s Shuffle, we hear how the band uses technology, design and collaboration to grow its audience.

Akron's popular outdoor music festival, PorchROKR, returns to the city's Highland Square neighborhood on August 17. More than 150 bands from Northeast Ohio perform on house porches and outside of local businesses throughout the neighborhood. Plan your day with our curated selection of must-see local performers.