14 December 7 - 13, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents They Never Go Out of Style 10 Dallas artists to put on your playlist if you love Taylor Swift. BY SAMANTHA THORNFELT F irst things first — there is no such thing as too much Taylor Swift. That being said, there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to try something new. Those stuck playing 1989 (Taylor’s Version) on loop should be happy to hear that she matches the styles of a number of musicians right here in Dallas. If you’re interested in sup- porting more of the local scene, here are a few artists to add to your recently played. Remy Reilly Much like a certain blond pop icon, Remy Reilly entered the music scene as a teenage star in the making. The indie pop singer has been writing her own tunes since the age of 5 and released her first eponymous EP at the age of 14. Reilly’s lyrics are both thoughtful and personal, as she touches on a variety of relat- able issues, from bullying to heartbreak. Now in her early 20s, the Dallas artist has released two full EPs and a number of singles, including “What Do Ya Know” in April 2023. Reilly’s rich vocals layered over soft, pop-y beats fit right in with Swift’s 1989 era. Reilly can be found on streaming platforms, including Spo- tify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and more. Piper Byers Alt-country singer Piper Byers breathes new, modern life into the classic Americana sound. Byers encapsulates raw, emotional themes in many of her songs and has credited Swift as one of her songwriting inspirations. Like Swift, some of Byers’ lyricism focuses on fe- male empowerment and acceptance. The im- pact of her words is only furthered by the strength of her voice. The scope of Byers’ dis- cography shows similarities to a variety of Swift albums, including Lover and Speak Now, making her perfect for a variety of pal- ates. In “London Boy” fashion, the artist has even sampled a Hinge match’s voice message in her latest single, “Meadow.” Danni and Kris North Texas pair Danni and Kris are two best friends doing what they love most — fulfill- ing their passion for music along- side one another. The country dar- ling duo hails from Fort Worth and demonstrates a vo- cal chemistry like no other through ’80s-influenced. Prizm and their Britney vs. Chris- tina tribute act. They deliver heart- melting harmonies and skillful acous- tic melodies among storytelling tracks. Danni and Kris exhibit a fresh combination of softness and strength in their songs, and are a great listen for ‘00s Swift fans or anyone looking to add more female-fronted country to their playlists. Their latest release, 2018’s “Into You,” and other albums can be streamed on a variety of platforms. Tippy Balady Texans need to get on Tippy Balady’s neo- soul pop vibe. The singer-songwriter’s musi- cal vision is a simple one: nothing is off limits. Balady combines thoughtful song- writing and composition with a delicate, pop backing and touches on a wide range of subjects, from young love and failed rela- tionships to family struggles and feelings of loneliness. Balady’s Swift-like scope of vo- cals and lyrics make her a unique musical force worth the listen. Frankie Leonie Like Swift, Frankie Leonie knew what she was made of from a young age, and began re- cording and releasing her self-written songs as a high schooler. Leonie embodies the early sounds of country Taylor, but with the melancholic maturity of more recent Swift eras. Leonie proudly calls herself a country artist, but also mixes in other in- fluences like folk and blues to fur- ther develop her own sound. With effortless vocals and sophisticated lyrics of an artist beyond her years, the Texas 20-something is an easy sell for OG Swifties. Mitchell Ferguson It’s hard to nail singer-songwriter Mitchell Ferguson down to just one clear genre. Rather than a certain style, Ferguson’s Texas roots are what make up most of his music identity. Reminis- cent of Swift’s mu- sical exploration, Ferguson blends a variety of elements — rock, pop, country and more — into his sound. His authentic love for what he does bleeds across a number of songs and styles, making him a strong contender for Swifties looking for something new. Fergu- son’s latest album, WHOLE LOTTA SAUCE, is a great place to start — the track “Love on the Line” is like an updated rock version of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Allison Ponthier Although she’s now based in New York, Alli- son Ponthier still proudly displays her Southern roots across her indie folk discog- raphy. Mirroring the style of ’00s Swift lyri- cism, Ponthier lays all her cards on the table through open, confessional storytelling. Ponthier adds even deeper personal ele- ments to her songwriting by capturing her experiences as a queer Texas teen. Now 27, the singer-songwriter is making country camp by way of her uniquely eccentric pro- duction. Her narrative music videos are just as enjoyable as the songs themselves and hark back to the days of “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.” Jade Nickol Jade Nickol credits Swift as one of her big- gest writing inspirations, and she mirrors this is her own personal lyricism. The country singer-songwriter has a few emo- tional love songs of her own, and she shows through her lyrics how to remain steadfast in the face of heartbreak. Nickol likes the contradiction of her small stature and strong voice and proudly displays it in her 2019 EP Murphy’s Law. Nickol’s perspec- tive best matches the tones of Swift albums like Red and Speak Now. Ryan Berg Ryan Berg, a The Voice favorite, is what Swift might sound like if she ventured deeper into soul. The Dallas artist’s au- thentic, gritty sound and powerful raw vo- cals make him a bona fide blues star. Though his voice may be a bit richer than Swift’s, their similarities are shared through songwriting. Berg’s skilled lyri- cism paints vivid pictures of love, loss and more through intimate narratives. Al- though the acoustic focus of his 2017 re- lease, The Velvet Ears, sounds more like early Swift, fans of all eras should tune in for his universal storytelling skills. Reputation What’s closer to Swift than a Taylor tribute band? Reputation gives Dallasites the Taylor Swift experience year-round. Lead singer Julia Hill encapsulates Swift’s stage persona through a number of albums and eras. Hill may not be the real Swift, but her blond, banged wig and tour-accurate costumes are a close match. Reputation take their love for Swift to another level by offering a commu- nal experience for Dallas-area Swifities, both young and old. More on the group and future performances can be found on Repu- tation’s website. ▼ Music John Nicholson Indie pop artist Remy Reilly is a great artist to check out if you’re looking for a Dallas T. Swift.
