I used to be a radio DJ back in the ’80s and ’90s, focusing mostly on punk and comedy. In a way, I guess my whole life continues to focus on punk and comedy…

One of my favorite Louisville singers, Joan Shelley, just made the LA Times’ Best Albums of 2015 list.

And Houndmouth just made David “World Cafe” Dye’s Top Ten Albums of 2015.

Here are some local bands that I like, organized vaguely by genre:

• PUNK
  • Debauchees, girl punk band with a nerdy bent
  • Adventure, punk-pop with a twist of wry
  • Julie of the Wolves, hard energetic girl punk
  • Ritchie White Orchestra, serious rockers telling stories
  • Revenge of Ricky Williams, fast and fun, featuring Punk Rock Pam
  • The Workers, angry for a cause
  • Sonic Epitaph, goth-punk instrumental
• FOLK
  • Joan Shelley, as mentioned in the LA Times
  • Maiden Radio, a trio of lovely voices
  • Bonnie Prince Billy, lilting folk-punk
  • Kri & Hettie, fun and inspirational
  • Freakwater, harmonic edgy alt-country
  • Brigid Kaelin, upbeat accordion-playing Scot
  • Nick Peay, narrative lyrical crusader
• ODD
  • Howell Dawdy, fearless wit and avant garde
  • Leopard Percussionists, rocking the elementral schools with xylophones and drums
• SOUL
  • Teneia Sanders, heartache that make you smile
  • Cheyenne Marie Mize, hip-hop folky funk
  • Joan Osborne, multi-talented experimental woman
• ALT POP
  • Jim James, best known for fronting My Morning Jacket, but I prefer his solo stuff
  • You’re My Density, indie garage band funk
  • Houndmouth, light-pop rising star
  • Wax Fang, effervescent prog rock
  • Stonewheel, acoustic pop reminiscent of R.E.M.
  • Dave Moisan, community-minded and energetic
  • Quiet Hollers,  post-hardcore garage band
  • Matt Duncan, disco throwback
  • King Kong, conceptual humorous rock
• JAZZ
  • Small Time Napoleon, evolving blend of jazz and folk
  • Lucky Pineapple, eclectic mix ranging from jazz to punk
• ROCK
  • Broken Spurs, country rock party sound
  • Villebillies, infectious hip-hop rock
  • Deloreans, once described by my friend as a cross between Bowie and Iggy

Here are some likely radio stations where you might hear some of these groups:

• WFPK, the NPR king of indie radio
• WNAS, broadcast from a high school for 75 years
• ARTxFM, online station with a radio frequency forthcoming
• Crescent Hill Radio, all local all the time
• Ville TV, online TV that also covers the local music scene

The blog Backseat Sandbar keeps an extensive list of local talent, venues, shops, etc.

Read the blog series Dave Mattingly: The Musical