Maintays of the Wisconsin music scene, synth rock/indie-pop band Kat and the Hurricane know how to make you feel a cathartic release. Since coming together in 2017, guitarist/vocalist Kat Rhapsody, keyboardist/vocalist Benjamin Rose, and drummer Alex Nelson (all they/them) have made waves across the United States and Canada, driven by their bombastic sound, strong connection to community, and genre-defying songwriting.

Kat and the Hurricane’s 2024 debut LP, Got It Out, seamlessly weaves synth rock, pop punk, indie-pop, alternative rock, indie-folk, and hip-hop across ten irresistibly hooky tracks that deliver a sonic punch, wave after wave. Drawing on varied influences from 2000s pop/rock (The Killers, Walk the Moon, Paramore, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World) to today’s sapphic music legends (MUNA, Tegan & Sara, girl in red, Chappell Roan), the album speaks to the growing pains of mental health and trauma healing.

I don’t know half of you half as well as I should…

Born in 2022 from an unholy union of funk and glam rock, the genre-bending Naked Brunch delivered Slut Rock to the world. Slut Rock is about getting into the rhythm of your own body. That rhythm might be a sex positive affirmation anthem (“Punish Me Good” or “1-800-SATISFY”) or the relentless beat of fighting burnout and digital alienation (“Humanoid”). Whatever the rhythm is, Naked Brunch expresses it with a sense of earnest playfulness, and unhinged, feral energy.

They draw inspiration from a wide net of influences. From the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Wet Leg; No Doubt to Radiohead; Khruangbin to Queen. The infusion of these styles has created a distinct sound marked by groovy bass lines, relentlessly catchy rhythm, soaring guitar melodies, and vocals that deliver a sly lyricism with ebullient bravado.

Members: Vocals/Lyrics: Michael Hanna Drums: Scott Tentinger Guitar: Hristo Mintchev Bass: Chris Glenn