Think you know your favourite artists inside out? Think again. Behind some of the biggest solo names in music are secret band projects and side hustles that even the most dedicated fans might’ve missed. From unexpected collaborations to hidden musical alter egos, these artists prove that creativity knows no limits — and sometimes, their best work happens when they’re not in the spotlight. Here’s a look into the lesser-known worlds where your favourite musicians trade the main stage for the thrill of the band life; and vice versa.
Artists you didn't know were in bands
FINNEAS and Ashe — The Favors
If you loved the rich ballad ‘Till Forever Falls Apart’ by FINNEAS and Ashe that came out in 2021, you’re definitely in for a treat with this one, as your two favourite artists have come together to form The Favors.
The Favors are all about no rules and going with the flow as they channel the warm retro groove of the 70s, embodying the carefree energy of that time. Having released their debut album The Dream in September 2025, they tell us what they’re all about with their detailed storytelling wrapped in lush soundscapes that have the ability to transport listeners to a simpler time.
The record embodies the personal nature of the album — weaving together intimate anecdotes steeped in radiant melancholy. The album’s roots are in Los Angeles, having been written and produced there. However, several tracks featured on the album capture the heart and soul of life in New York City, presenting a holistic representation of life from coast to coast.
Finn Wolfhard — The Aubreys
Are we in the Upside Down? Because no one told us Finn Wolfhard is also a rocking indie musician! Back in 2017, Finn was part of the band Calpurnia, which unfortunately disbanded in 2019. But from that hiatus came a new chapter: the laid-back alternative and indie rock duo The Aubreys, formed by Finn and Calpurnia’s former drummer, Malcolm Craig.
They kicked off their musical journey with their debut single, ‘Getting Better (Otherwise)’, which was even featured in the film The Turning, starring Finn himself. This was followed by the 2020 EP Soda & Pie. Their latest single, ‘Running’, is a feel-good, carefree track that features warm melodies and layered vocals, creating an immersive soundscape that invites listeners to sway along.
If you can’t get enough of The Aubreys, there’s more: earlier this year, Finn released his debut solo album Happy Birthday, which carries the same indie vibes fans loved in The Aubreys. Clearly, there’s no Strange Thing about Finn Wolfhard’s talent — he’s equally unstoppable in both music and acting.
Kurosuke — Anomalyst
Kurosuke’s extremely groovy sound has multiple shades to it, presenting a multitude of different genres and sounds. It has the ability to rejuvenate the listener with its undeniable positivity and familiarity.
That sound carries over to Anomalyst. The trio was formed by Kurosuke alongside Aryorespati “Ares” Xavier and Farizky “Ricky” Wijanarko. The trio were thick as thieves in high school and decided to put their heads together to create Anomalyst.
With Kurosuke being the vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist, in addition to being one of the founding members, their discography has that same twinkling vibrance as Kurosuke’s music.
Their latest album Cipta Rasa Karsa, released in 2018, glimmers with soaring glee, incorporating ambient musical elements that give their tracks a touch of dreamlike ambience. The other members of Anomalyst joined as the backing band for live performances of Kurosuke’s solo release that was recorded in just two weeks
Pamungkas — The Krankers
Indonesian hitmaker Pamungkas, known for his lilting and tender melodies underscored by raw lyrical honesty and an incredibly hands-on production process, infuses his creativity with his participation in The Krankers.
The Krankers consists of members Arya Novanda, Febriansyah Nurrrr, and Dul Jaelani, in addition to Pamungkas, who joined the rock band as their drummer in January 2024 — taking on an entirely new direction in comparison to his softer, more delicate pop and R&B-centric solo work.
Shortly after he joined the band, the quartet released their debut album Hey, which showcased their raw and authentic rock-and-roll flair. Pamungkas continues to focus on his solo career in 2025 while being part of The Krankers.
Bin Idris — Sigmun
Discover the extreme contrast of Bin Idris’ sound as he showcases a gloom-folk style, infused with echoing, meditative, guitar-driven psychedelic tracks that feel almost mantra-like.
On the other hand, his position as a member of the proto-metal band Sigmun reflects a more chaotic and raw side of him. The blistering guitar riffs and bruising drums blend with haunting melodies to create a distinct sound that can only be labelled as the sound of Sigmun.
Their latest EP Maladies shows off their signature sound as Bin Idris delivers top-tier vocal performances while shredding his guitar, giving each of the four tracks the depth that they aim to present. Get the best of both worlds with the hardcore sound of Sigmun and enjoy the hypnotic vibes of Bin Idris’ solo discography.
Band members you didn't know had a solo career
Alas Alverez — Alamat
Alamat is one of the most prolific P-pop bands, with their triple-threat status of being able to sing, rap, and dance. Their unique sound blends modern and traditional elements, giving them a style that makes them stand out from other mainstream bands.
Alamat member Alas Alverez has decided to take a slight detour, charting his own path to build a sound that’s separate from his identity in Alamat. Going by ALAS, he released his debut solo single ‘Don’t Play’ this February.
With the signature blend of traditional music elements bleeding into his solo work as well, he presents an impactful R&B sound that fuses with his incredible rap skills and vocal prowess, moulding his individual flair as an all-rounded artist.
‘Don’t Play’ presents a melody that could be described as suave and seductive, with a strong bass and catchy rhythm — guaranteeing that the song will be stuck in your head long after your first listen.
Bam Mastro — Elephant Kind
Presenting their refreshing perspective on alternative indie — reinventing the genre is Elephant Kind, with their sun-soaked melodies and laid-back instrumentals creating a sonic atmosphere.
In 2022, the Indonesian band moved all the way to London to pursue their dream of writing and creating music that can help people create connections and find solace in a sense of community.
The founder of the band, Bam Mastro, branched out in 2020 to embark on a solo career that would allow him to share his individuality through his own artistic style. He made his solo debut in 2017 with ‘Idols’, which established a heavier focus on electronic music instead.
Since that very first solo release, Bam grew as an artist, reinventing himself with each record. His latest double single album home vacation/we can be together infuses indie pop elements with electronic music, creating a fun mix that feels like it would be the perfect soundtrack for a tropical getaway.
He continues his work with Elephant Kind, with fans hoping that he will rekindle the spark of his solo career in the near future.
Gerald Situmorang — Barasuara
Indonesian alternative rock band Barasuara has grown to become one of the most iconic bands in the local scene, with their distinct sound that blends abstract melodies with soft rock elements to create a style that fans can recognise immediately as being Barasuara’s.
Bassist Gerald Situmorang decided that he’s ready to write a chapter in the book of Barasuara all by himself, as he embarked on a solo career in 2016 with a successful LP called Solitude. The acoustic style of the album gave a gentle and beautiful contrast between his solo projects and his thrumming bass lines in Barasuara.
The instrumental record showed off his incredible guitar prowess. Throughout his solo career, Gerald has explored a multitude of genres and instruments, from acoustic guitar tracks to folk jazz ballads.
His most recent track ‘12345’, released in 2023, is a classic jazz track that has a warm and homely feeling to it, with soft trumpet and flute elements infused — giving the track its unique depth.
Himonshu Parikh — The Yellow Diary
Mumbai-based music collective The Yellow Diary set themselves apart from the rest with their trademark blend of electronic music and rock, infusing it with a touch of Carnatic music that comes through stunning vocals.
The genre-defying band is bonded through a shared love of music, aspiring to show the world that music ascends above categories. With that shared goal in mind, Himonshu Parikh aims to expand on their aspiration with his solo career.
He kicked off with his debut single ‘Katputli Ke Dhaage’, which fuses the ambient electronic elements seen in The Yellow Diary’s discography with delicate melodies and piano-infused production. Through his individual flair, Himonshu has grown his reach — featured as a producer on many major Bollywood soundtracks.
His most recent EP CIRCLES stays consistent with the authenticity that he strives to present to listeners, breaking the boundaries of genre but once again bringing the distinctly Himonshu Parikh sound with each of the four tracks featured on the record.
Cameron Winter — Geese
Geese’s poignant and eclectic approach to creating music showcases their sentiment of trying their best to stay true to themselves. The experimental elements that they infuse into their songs make each track one of a kind — giving Geese an artistic edge.
Frontman of the band, Cameron Winter, creates music that’s on the other end of the spectrum compared to the rock-induced chaotic catharsis of Geese. Cameron focuses on creating music that loosely falls in the realm of indie folk rock.
He made his solo debut in 2024 with his double single album titled Singles, presenting two stripped-back tracks that put incredible emphasis on the meaningful lyrics and moving vocals by Cameron.
This same theme follows through with his latest album Heavy Metal, which he released in 2024. Staying true to his art-rock influences, he shed the need to conform to a conventional sound, creating a collection of 10 songs that he believes embody his sound and style as an artist.
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