Introduction to Ogden-based music artists 

• Courtesy Photo
• Sammy Brue

Hopefully when you think of your hometown, good memories surface. Our hometowns have a way of shaping us and inspiring us in ways other things can't. That's why I'm shamelessly plugging bands from my own hometown: Ogden. Good old O-Town is full of rich and crazy history, and has some great bands currently making music. Give them a listen if you haven't before; you might like what you hear!

Dearth of Earth: Formerly known as Dearth, the energetic rock band Dearth of Earth draws influence from a wide spectrum of genres; they have themselves tagged as alternative, djent, math rock, post-rock, progressive rock and zen funk, among others. Their instrumental tracks weave a beautiful web of sound that at times is intricate and exciting, and others calm and relaxing. This is a group of people who clearly have a love for music, and put a lot of time and energy into it. Their 2021 album Time and a Place is an awesome backdrop for pretty much any occasion.
Listen here

floatingaround: In one of my all-time favorite openings of a song, floatingaround's song "Cat Song" starts off with, "God gave me two hands so I can pet two cats at the same time." Along with a cat meowing in the background, their opener is [chef's kiss]. This track kicks off floatingaround's debut EP Chasing Bunnies, a sincere and earnest collection of indie-rock songs that are endlessly charming. Their lyrics are relatable, making it feel like you're jamming with friends. Chasing Bunnies is a comforting bundle of songs, and feels like wrapping up in a blanket fresh out of the dryer.
Listen here

Sammy Brue: If you're familiar with the O-Town music scene, there's a good chance you've heard of Sammy Brue. He debuted at just 15 years old with his album I Am Nice in 2017. Catching the ears of listeners across the country, Brue has continued to awe with his country/folk/Americana sound that feels like it's from a different time, and a much older person. Brue's sound and songwriting are heartfelt and lovely, perfectly encapsulating the influence of greats like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Woody Guthrie—but in the end, Brue's sound is all his own.
Listen here

Earthworm: Ogden has a really cool pocket of rap/hip-hop artists, including Earthworm. Earthworm's alt/lo-fi/glitch hip-hop is rhythmically complex, but a ton of fun to listen to. The lo-fi beats are especially comforting to me because of all the time I've spent listening to those 24-hour lo-fi videos that stream on YouTube (especially the Star Wars one by Closed on Sunday). Over the top of these cozy beats are Earthworm's clean bars, coming at you with clever and intricate lyrics. His collaboration album with Nate Kiz, Old Swords, is a lively and entertaining journey that makes it impossible to be sad while you're listening.
Listen here

Citrus!: Citrus!—or "two goobers who love punctuation," according to their Instagram page—is an indie/rock duo whose music is pure delight. Their sound is very jovial, almost like you can hear their smiles as they perform their tracks. This vision of them is perpetuated by their social media presence, always flashing smiles while playing or for fun photos. Even their track "Not About You" sounds cheerful as they sing about someone who is self-centered and thinks the world revolves around them. As a bonus, they do have a music video for the song featuring their happy-go-lucky attitude, but you can hear it long before you see it. It's also fun to see Ogden landmarks, as Historic 25th Street makes an incredible backdrop for a music video. Check out Citrus! if you need some upbeat and playful indie rock in your life.
Listen here

Hi Fi Murder: In a nod to a more gruesome part of Ogden history, Hi Fi Murder's name references the brutal torturing of five people and the deaths of three in a robbery at the Hi Fi Shop in 1974. Fun stuff! Grim as it may be, it is a fitting name for a punk band. The group has been rocking since 2001, and their old-school punk sound is everything you want from the genre—fast and loud, with plenty of fuck-you attitude. Their 2024 EP Forever Forward is full of life and is performed with passion. Songs like "Far Behind" will have you chanting along with the band in no time. While punk is all about being loud and in your face, it's also an empowering genre that often accompanies a tight-knit community. Hi Fi Murder's socials are full of the band and their fans jamming out and having a good time.
Listen here

While these bands call Ogden home, they also travel all over the Wasatch Front playing shows. If any on this list have piqued your interest, add them to your digital libraries and catch them on the road. This is by no means an exhaustive list of great artists in Ogden—far from it—but it's a great place to start.