3 Contemporary Singer/Songwriters Who Are True Hidden Gems

Not all musicians do it for the fame and fortune. Some incredibly admirable, talented, and private singer/songwriters simply do it for the love of the craft. They write songs, pluck their strings, and push their ideas with no hope of ever scoring the big bucks. However, what they do hope to do is leave a lasting impact despite their lack of fandom.

Townes Van Zandt are Blaze Foley are just two singer/songwriters who never wanted fame, and frankly, never got it until late in their careers. Now, we aren’t saying these three musicians are following the same path. However, they surely eerily mimic the greats as they lurk in shadows and stun folks with their vulnerable, candid, and metaphysical songwriting pros.

John Moreland

Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, John Moreland’s music has a much-needed somberness highly conducive to introspection. In a way, he’s a music storybook character, as his quiet disposition highly juxtaposes his loud ideals and notions. He’s truly a breath of fresh air amidst the regurgitated tropes and themes in today’s singer/songwriter scene.

“Hang Me in The Tulsa Country Heat” and “You Don’t Care for Me Enough to Cry” are two of his standout songs that encompass his melancholic authenticity. If you seek self-reflection and shared experiences through music, then you have to, have to, listen to John Moreland.

John Robert

John Robert hasn’t necessarily gone down the route of obscure singer/songwriters, as he still has quite the road ahead of him. However, as of now, only a lucky few have been able to follow his career and music. Leaning entirely into the folk and indie scene, Robert is an exemplary vehicle to promote lyric-rooted songs.

For him, music seemingly comes second, and ideas, messages, and emotions come first. His 2020 album, Bailey Barely Knew Me, is as if Rex Orange County and Paul Simon had a musical brainchild. He is reminiscent of some of the most legendary folk singer/songwriters of all time and has quite the career to be completed.

James Henry Jr.

James Henry Jr.’s claim to fame is his song “Take Me Down Easy” being featured in the animated Netflix show, BoJack Horseman. Other than that, Henry seems to stick his guns and remain in the world of the slightly unknown. He’s too good, too unique, and too mysterious for him to find you. Rather, you must find him, and hopefully, this article has done just that.

Like Robert, Henry resides in the folk/indie genre and nestles himself in the ever-changing limitations and boundaries of it. The man has only released four singles and never a full-length album. Nonetheless, those four songs have caused his talent to be circulated in the underground world of singer/songwriter music.

John Moreland at Ryman Auditorium on September 21, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee per Getty Images.