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It would probably amaze the average listener (and independent artist, for that matter) how many "indies" are out there today. In just six months since our last indie list, we heard from hundreds of hopeful candidates wanting to be included in our popular semi-annual feature. (And certainly there are hundreds more we've never heard from.) Nevertheless, we're up to the task of presenting tomorrow's talent today through a process that's become like our own personal version of "American Idol." So, here are ten more independent artists you should know. (Be sure to check out their websites for examples of their work.)

Daydreamer
Instrumental electronic pop
www.ryanfarish.com

I still maintain that having your instrumental music used by The Weather Channel is akin to having it played on Top 40 mainstream radio. Bearing that in mind, with five of the fifteen tracks on Daydreamer being used during the "Local Forecast on the 8s," Ryan Farish is something of an instrumental music superstar. With 1.7 million downloads of his music to date, he's one of the most downloaded independent artists today. He also provides custom electronic music for thousands of businesses across America with his Worldtrax Music Company. And, as might be surmised by track titles like "Holding Faith" and "Journey to the Light," his faith in God is the primary inspiration behind his compositions. "I believe God has been there, leading me every step of the way," he says. The soft electronica is soothing but not sleepy—reminiscent of Tangerine Dream and Enigma with occasional flashes of Moby. Farish composes, arranges, performs, produces, mixes, and masters all the music himself, and the results are exquisite. Because it draws you in without distracting you from other things, it's more "midground" than background music, making it excellent for work or worship.

Awaken Me
Worshipful pop/rock
www.stephaniecuomo.com

One glance at Stephanie Cuomo's photo, and you might expect someone who sounds like Sheryl Crow or Chrissy Hynde (The Pretenders). Not that she can't rock, but her voice is much less brash and her sound much more modern—like Plumb, Kendall Payne, Jaci Velasquez, Jewel, and Michelle Branch. After graduating from Liberty University, Cuomo began working for Frontline, a Gen-X ministry of McLean Bible Church in northern Virginia. Now she's Frontline's creative arts director, leading worship regularly for 2,000 adults. She's also been performing on the side over the years, originally with a band called Urthgirl. Awaken Me,her first solo album, is exceptionally well produced by her studio wizard husband Dan Cuomo, who was the drummer for short-lived worship band Circadian Rhythm. In fact, "In You I Trust," with its huge pop/rock sound, is one of several tracks on Cuomo's CD written by Circadian frontman (and fellow Frontline worship leader) Will Pavone. In contrast is the stirring worship anthem "In Your Hands," featuring Cuomo singing to sparse piano accompaniment. "The One" displays Cuomo's interesting turn of phrase in an interestingly worded love letter from the Lord: "Come and let me in sometime/I can give you déjàvu." Unfortunately, that song is the only example of Cuomo's songwriting skills on thie album, but overall, Awaken Me is as hook-laden and enjoyable as anything you'll hear on Christian Hit Radio.

City of Pain
Hip-hop
www.dasouth.com/markj/

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