Serenade me, Seattle: Help KUOW web editor Katie Campbell rebuild her music library

If you've ever uttered the phrase "I was into [insert band/artists name here] before they were cool," today is your lucky day.

I recently lost my Spotify library (it's a boring story), so I'm rebuilding my musical existence. Honestly, it's been a lot of nostalgic fun. I've spent the last few nights renewing my love of everything from Lady Gaga to Green Day. My first concert was a Green Day show after they released the "American Idiot" album in 2004, and I'm happy to report it still makes me feel like an angsty teen 20 years later; actually, I was in sixth grade at the time and not even a little angsty, but that's neither here nor there.

Some of my colleagues have already recommended some great new additions to my playlists. Kevin Diers, who wears a lot of hats at KUOW and is deep in the Seattle music scene, suggested Hank Dogs, an acoustic folk band from South London. I'm listening to their album "Bareback" as I write — it's a chill, earthy vibe that fits in well with stuff like the ethereal Evelyn Frances album "Seed." (And in looking her up, I just learned Evelyn lives in Seattle now. So, like, hi Evelyn! Your music gives me peace!)

I know what I know, though, you know? I have the rare opportunity to reimagine my musical tastes. My more musically cultured partner Drew made me a "country and country-adjacent" playlist to open my mind to, well, country. I do not do pop country, but apparently, I very much do do folks like Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson (yes, it took me this long to realize that), and a band inexplicably but delightfully called Trampled by Turtles.

So, I need your help, Seattle. I want you to help me rebuild my music library. Give me your favorite local and regional picks plus one wildcard.

Use this form to share your recs:

Here are some of my colleagues' picks if you need some inspiration:

Dyer Oxley, Online Editor/Producer

Sunny Day Real Estate: I'm with Dyer on this one for sure — Sunny Day Real Estate belongs in Seattle's rock royalty. As Dyer put it, "This is the band that every 'emo' artist says they are inspired by, but never actually sounds like."

Bob Sumner: This americana artist from Vancouver, B.C., is apparently for my newfound country leanings. "It's the real deal," Dyer promised. He's got "Wasted Love Songs" on a regular rotation.

Cannons: This an American indie pop band is Dyer's first wildcard. He described it as artsy, retro-inspired, but fresh. "Ruthless" is his "go-to tune," but "'Sweeter' trapped me." I'm so in. The group features lead vocalist Michelle Joy, lead guitarist Ryan Clapham, and keyboardist and bass guitarist Paul Davis.

The Joy Formidable: Much like a rebel fighting The Man to the tune of this a Welsh alternative rock band, Dyer refused to give play by the rules and gave me a second wildcard. "The Joy Formidable is a modern band that doesn't get enough attention," he said. "This is the vibe that a rock band should carry. There are so many rock bands out there, yet so many don't bring the guitar intensity or artistry that this band does." That's high praise for bandmates Rhiannon "Ritzy" Bryan, Rhydian Dafydd, and Matthew James Thomas.

Hans Twite, Marketing Audio and Video Producer

Deep Sea Diver: An indie rock band based in Seattle, featuring vocalist Jessica Dobson (who also plays the guitar and keys), drummer Peter Mansen, guitarist and synthesizer Elliot Jackson, and bass guitarist Garrett Gue.

Acid Tongue: Who doesn't love a good old American rock band? According to their bio, this group has a core duo with singer/songwriter Guy Keltner and drummer/vocalist Ian Cunningham, plus the talents of numerous touring and studio musicians scattered between Paris, New York, London, Mexico City, and Los Angeles.

Mt Fog: I'm counting this one as Hans' wildcard pick. This Seattle band that describes itself as "a conscious mycelial network" — what's more wildcard than that — featuring Carolyn B, Andy Sells, and Casey Rosebridge.

Amanda Winterhalter, Institutional Giving Officer

Y La Bamba: Amanda's regional pick is this eclectic indie folk pop (a collection of words I like to see in my music) band from Portland. It's led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos, a first-generation Mexican American who sings in both English and Spanish.

Dean Johnson: A local singer and songwriter who was the subject of a Seattle Times article titled "Seattle’s next great singer-songwriter was hiding in a Wallingford bar." And, honestly, that just makes so much sense.

Fiona Apple: Amanda's wildcard feels less wild until you think about the wide range of options one of KUOW's own musical talents had in her arsenal (in case you didn't know, Amanda is also a stellar local musician).

Vaughan Jones, Podcast Producer

Like Amanda, Vaughan is also a stellar local musician with the band Lane Lines.

The Beach Boys: Vaughan defended this as a regional pick, specifically the "Pet Sounds" album. They said it's locally relevant because Everett's own Carol Kaye (one of the most prolific bass guitarists in the business) plays bass on some of "Pet Sounds," as well as "Good Vibrations" and other Beach Boys hits. "She has a crazy catalogue (Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Sam Cooke, the 'Mission Impossible' theme, Ray Charles)," Vaughan said of Kaye, "but this is my favorite work of hers!"

Heart: I admit I had no idea the members of Heart were from the Seattle area and got together in Vancouver, B.C. Vaughan specifically recommends the "Dreamboat Annie" album, which includes their favorite regional songs "Magic Man" and "Crazy on You."

Alvvays: Vaughan's wildcard is out of Toronto and put out one of their favorite albums of the 2020s, "Blue Rev." The group features Molly Rankin, Kerri MacLellan, Alec O'Hanley, and Sheridan Riley, who put out what Vaughan described as "great spaced-out guitar-led indie rock." Dope.