A guide to modern Christian Indie/Alternative Rock - Band Edition

Crafted Child, Lion of Judah, FYR FYTR and more.

Mar 19, 2025

Hi Pal,

Welcome to today’s edition. I had a pretty good response to the last “guide” I wrote here so I decided to keep it going.

The Jonah Project

I first encountered Tristan McGee, Aaron Allred and Bryan Diver in early 2022 when they started releasing songs from their soon to be released — at the time — three-part Psalms project. These guys from North Carolina blend chill indie rock, driving alternative rock and experimental post-hardcore (complete with the screaming) while remaining biblically sound and reverent. Dawn, Dusk and Night became one of my favourite projects of 2022. Before this, they released their debut album in 2018, If You Are Who You Say, which is equally good.

FYR FYTR

There must be something in the water in North Carolina because FYR FYTR (pronounced “firefighter”) also has the privilege of calling it home. The band was created by Chris and Jessie Miller, with collaborations and help from friends. It’s a unique band that has evolved over the years from the humble beginnings of their self-titled release in 2015 to the album that introduced me to them officially, TWO, released in 2022. Their sound has matured over the years but has always retailed a distinct dream pop quality that permeates all the records. They also dropped their third album, THE GLORIOUS IN-BETWEEN in 2023 and many singles along the way.

Hopeful.

A relatively new band comprising Randy James, Eddie Buelna, Hunter Jackson and James Barragan. This anthemic indie/alternative rock band walked into my life in 2023 and I have enjoyed the progression of their music and the development of their overall sound. Their debut EP, When The Turbulence Hits, was released in early 2024 and they are working towards the release of a new project sometime in 2025.

Gable Price & Friends

Five years into my journey with this band, they haven’t stopped surprising me. Gable Price and Friends is Gable Price, Cam Pablo and Adam Elizarraraz. Originally from Redding, California, this band’s brand of alternative rock is reminiscent of some of the best bands in the genre especially those that emerged in the early 2000s. Their debut album Fractioned Heart was a stellar introduction and was so good that it took me a while to enjoy their 2022 sophomore project, The Consequence Of Being Alive. Last year, their third album, Jungle In The City was released and it felt like the culmination of all the hard work over the years.

Mudhouse

Mudhouse is a band from Lancaster, Ohio comprising Michael Giacomoni, Lauren Muck, Tyler Kenepp, Mitch Cavanaugh, Alyssa Brandon and Matt Varney. They are one of the youngest bands on this list but I’m hard-pressed to find any debut album that had the effect Good Omens had on me back in 2023. It’s a wonderful debut album from a band that understands the intricacies of indie rock and folk.

Lion of Judah

I discovered this band sometime in 2020 and haven’t looked back since. Lion of Judah is Josh and Isaac Bannister, Dave Blight, Matthew Knight and Adam Nicholls and they’re from Brighton England. Their debut album, The Antidote, introduced me to their signature indie pop sound and the follow-up 2021 release, Closer, cemented them as one of the unique Christian bands from the UK.

RIDERS

I didn’t know much about the Circuit Rider Music collective but sometime around 2021, RIDERS started popping up on my Instagram feed and their sound enthralled me. Created by brothers, Joshua and Spencer Brennt, they are an indie rock/pop band with an upbeat, bold and unapologetic approach to Christian music. Between 2021 and 2023, most of their released singles were hits within the scene before they finally dropped their debut album, TO THE SEARCHING, THE LOST AND THE FOUND, in October 2023.

Wild Earth

These guys have been making amazing indie rock for over a decade now. Micah Bentley, Chris Pernice, Jason Richard, Jack McCahan and Anthony Lee delivered one of the best albums of 2022 in Weary Hymns Along The Way. My favourite album from them is their 2017 sophomore album, Holy Fools. I also remember their debut album, Orchestrate, being energetic and a synth-filled masterpiece.

Crafted Child

Crafted Child is Eric Reyes, Chase Edwards, NJ Zara, Jonathan Edwards and Benzer Uy. Their experimental synth-tinged approach to alternative rock/pop makes them a unique proposition, even on a list as eclectic as this. Their debut album, Wild! was an effective introduction to their sound. Since 2019, they have released I: BRIGHTER BELIEVER and II: WAVES OF BEING HUMAN — in 2022 and 2025 respectively — both amazing projects in their own right.

Rivers & Robots

They may be on an indefinite hiatus now, but a list of recommendations for alternative/indie rock bands will not be complete without these guys. Formed in Salford, England; Jonathan Ogden, Phillip Shibata, Caleb Choo and Nathan Stirling were one of the bands responsible for shifting the mindset of Christian culture to listening to more alternative-leaning tunes that didn’t necessarily fit into the local Sunday service but were undeniably Biblical. Musically, they did a bit of everything and with 5 albums to choose from, fans of indie rock, synthpop, folk, ambient and even psychedelic music will find something to like. Still, indie rock was the nexus from which their creative expressions spread.

That’s it for today.

Catch you at the next one!

Still Small Voice

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