Spotify Stages presented a Fresh Finds concert on March 23rd, with indie artists BAERD, Abby Sage, Katherine Li, and TiaCorine on the line-up. There are plenty of Spotify-made playlists that have taken a mainstay in the average Spotify listener’s rotation. There are playlists for genres, artists, moods, you name it–but none have the influence that Fresh Finds has had. The playlist, first launched around 2015, features songs from emerging independent artists to spotlight their new releases. 

This concert was the first of its kind, and won’t be the last. The audience was captivated by all four of the featured artists, from BAERD’s powerful folk rock, Abby Sage’s sultry and groovy indie pop, Katherine Li’s 80’s teen rom-com pop soundtrack, and TiaCorine’s electric flow. Each artist took the stage to play four or five songs–a perfect “get to know me” set that combined their most well-known songs from the playlist, some deep cuts, and unreleased gems. 

Each of the artists brings their own experiences, dreams, thoughts, and backgrounds to the table. But despite the wide differences in genre, the night flowed effortlessly from one artist to the next, creating an atmosphere full of great music and appreciation for what these artists brought to the Spotify Stage. Ahead of their performances, Flaunt sat down with each artist to learn a bit more about their style, dreams, favorite songs, and more. 

BAERD

BAERD is the musician moniker of Nashville-based artist Isaiah Beard. Described as babbling-brook core and indie folk climbing-a-tree core, Beard captures his audience with his guitar and unrelenting Texas charm. His latest release, “Tell Me That You Love Me” is features on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist. The song, Beard describes to the audience at the show in Los Angeles, is inspired by the kind of emotional confrontations that seem to only take place in the car.

What songs do you sing in the car?

Oh, this is brutal if I answer this honestly. It’s “Intrepid” by Pinegrove. “Only The Lonely Know” by Frank Sinatra I will sing in the car alone. And then this song called “Rambling Boys of Pleasure”, which is an Irish folk song.

What was the moment you knew making music was for you?

When I was 11 or 12 years old and I had just started playing guitar, I was in a band with some other musicians. I was practicing and hanging out in a basement with a bass player friend of mine, and we started to play some music and we played for hours, like the same thing over and over. I realized it was the best feeling ever. It was such an escape for me.

What are you working on now?

So right now, I produce for other artists for a living. I have a couple of records coming up in the year with that and then I will be working on my own next record and working on the release of my current record. I can never go wrong with producing and making music. 

Abby Sage

Abby Sage is equal parts mysterious and captivating. The singer-songwriter, originally from Toronto, grew up watching her dad perform around the city and was enchanted by the stage. She began writing and recording her own music in high school and releasing it in secret until its success became hard to ignore. Now, her song “High Five” off her recent EP The Florist can be found on the Fresh Finds playlist. It features wispy vocals and grooving melodies that transport you to a whimsical dreamscape. 

Where do you find your music?

I feel like it's become quite random recently. I get attached more to the music that people show me because it has that intimate connection. But I've been trying to live in silence for the past few months, so I haven't been listening to much. I like to study music more.

What was the moment you knew making music was for you?

I don't know, I think I always loved it. My dad used to play music when I was younger, so I would play a lot with him. Every time we would watch a movie or something and get really attached to it, we'd write a song about it. So we had one song recorded about Harry Potter, it was hilarious. It’s just something that I’ve always done.

What have you been dreaming about recently?

My dreams have been more abstract recently. They’re usually quite literal, which is funny. But I, designed my stage set based on a dream I had, so you’ll see those tonight. They’re awesome.

Katherine Li

Katherine Li is a singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada. The 20-year old first came onto the scene with a viral TikTok of her singing a medley of Bruno Mars songs. After it blew up with enthusiastic and supportive comments, Li started writing her own songs, focusing on teenage love and woes. Her most recent single, “Miss Me Too”, is featured on the Fresh Finds playlist and deals with heartbreak and moving forward to an electric beat. 

What inspires your creativity?

So, my love life is kind of slacking, I’m not gonna lie, but I guess that’s where most of it comes from. A lot of songs that I write are about my own life, so definitely my own life, and some scenarios. Like, I love rom-coms, so those types of movies too. 

What songs do you like to sing in the car?

Oh my gosh, Taylor Swift. I love Taylor Swift! The 1989 album is so good, reputation is also amazing. Those are definitely my go-to’s at the moment. 

What are you working on now? 

Right now I’ve been in lots and lots of sessions working on my next project, the first single of that is coming out tonight, so that’s super exciting. But yeah, just exploring new sounds, new themes to write about, that type of thing. 

TiaCorine

TiaCorine is a rapper from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She grew up listening to all types of music, and started performing in talent shows in fourth grade. She released her first single, “Lotto”, in 2020, which amassed a sizable fanbase online. She’s since followed it up with 2 albums, and loads of other singles, including her most popular, “Freaky T”. Her connection with her audience is truly something to behold, playing fan favorites and getting everybody on their feet.

What inspires your creativity?

Life itself. My friends, things that I love to do, things that I don’t say out loud, or that I want to say. Me just being me and finding the funny in life. I don’t take it too serious, and it’s ok to laugh. You know? It’s just funny! I think just enjoying life and finding the funny in it. With music, for me, I can blend loops and don’t really have to worry about somebody being offended in that moment in time. Yeah, just kind of being an open vessel is what keeps me creative. 

What songs do you sing in the car?

Definitely this song called “Joe Morris”, SZA’s “Prom”, and just some old school shit. Me and my daughter love this song, “In The Air Tonight”, Phil Collins. 

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m on tour, so I literally just flew in from Cincinnati to be here, and I fly back out at 5:45 am for a show tomorrow. So just finishing up tour, and we have a remix of “Freaky T” coming, and a video for that. I mean, I have about 400 songs saved up, so I could really drop whenever. A lot of bigger artists and bigger producers are reaching out, so I’m just collab-ing with everyone. I’m building a new team right now, and maybe signing somewhere soon. 

Each of these artists' performances were so in tune with their music. They maintained a connection with the audience throughout all their sets, and gave guests a fantastic experience, and left the venue with more fans than they entered with. The Spotify Fresh Finds playlist remains one of the biggest launching pads for independent artists, and looks like it will be for quite a while.