Aeyvo (@aeyvomusic)
Lots of people used their time at home during the pandemic to pick up new hobbies. After Abby Navarro used her first and last name to create “Aeyvo,” she found new passion in DJing and has quickly made big noises in the local house and electronic dance music scene.
In a few short years, Aeyvo has quickly become surrounded by a community of fellow DJs and fans, sharing stages with large touring artists including Marauda, Westend and, most recently, The Floozies at Tower Theatre.
You’ll find Navarro hosting a weekly EDM show called Electric Pony at Ponyboy. It consistently draws an impressive turnout despite the event being held on Wednesday nights.
Navarro recalls Ponyboy being one of the few venues that played house music in Oklahoma City during a time when she was still using fake IDs to get into places. Coincidentally, Ponyboy ended up playing a big role in her road to artistry.
In 2025, Aeyvo wants to create and release music of her own by learning how to use music production software.
“Once I’m able to do that, I’m gonna have that next level of personality of who Aeyvo is,” she said.
Despite not having dropped music of her own yet, Navarro has laid the groundwork for exciting future releases. She has a growing community of passionate house heads and an impressive track record of performances, so be sure to keep an eye on Aeyvo this year.
Jmasty (@jmasty_, @starvingartistco)
Josh Masterson, or Jmasty, is a singer-songwriter and co-owner of Starving Artist Co., a company that collaborates with local businesses and artists through creative media.
Although Jmasty is a performing artist with released music, he has long been active in Oklahoma City’s music scene, organizing unique live music experiences like the Plaza District’s summer concert series; Purgatory, a Halloween-themed interpretive dance party at Resonant Head; and, most recently, a new video series whose first release is called “A Tiny Bar Christmas Special” recorded at Good For a Few that features local musicians.
Masterson reignited a music career shortly after the pandemic with the release of his single “How We Met (Sycamore Tree),” an indie-pop tune about his wife, the creative director and other owner of Starving Artist.
In 2025, Jmasty is releasing an EP in collaboration with local psyche rockers World Peace Death Ray and another body of work that will be composed of new tunes and polished, re-recorded songs.
Both Jmasty and Starving Artist Co. have a disposition for exciting unpredictability when it comes to creating live music experiences in Oklahoma City. Be sure to follow them on socials so you don’t miss the next experience.
S. Reidy (@sdotreidy)
Very few local music artists have had a metamorphosis quite like emotional rap artist and Normanite Shawn, or S. Reidy.
Inspired by the usage of words and approach to hip-hop by artists like Open Mike Eagle and Aesop Rocky, Reidy moved from an acoustic guitar-based indie-folk style of music to a poetic rap approach after deciding he “was done writing songs about girls and being sad.”
Last September saw the release of his latest self-produced EP, I Think I Feel Different, a tracklist sprinkled with melodic, confessional, evocative phraseology and acoustic guitar.
In 2025, S. Reidy has a tour planned for March and is also going to “put out a different kind of release that [he hasn’t] done before.”
Reidy’s tour will conclude at home in Norman — literally at home in his garage, where he hosts his series of house shows featuring local artists called Mt. Reidy.
“[It] feels like a party, but the emphasis is on the music,” he said. “It’s just a different energy the way it’s a house show.”
This year can expect a continuation of Reidy’s consistency with yearly releases, a tour and more shows at Norman’s infamous Mt. Reidy.
Beau Jennings (@beauscottjennings)
Beau Jennings is a mainstay in the Oklahoma music scene and has a music career spanning just over 20 years that includes 10 albums under both his name and his band, Beau Jennings & The Tigers.
Jennings hails from Broken Arrow, and Oklahoma frequently makes its way into his melodic storytelling. His recently released album with The Tigers, American Stories Major Chords, includes “Oklahoma Heat,” an acoustic guitar and piano-oriented piece that is honest, personal and illustrative of everyday life in the Sooner State.
When asked about the grander message behind his art, Jennings said, “You want to connect,” a sentiment he expressed is what draws him to the music he resonates with.
“You want people to listen, and hopefully they can find something they can identify with,” he said.
The band is always in “production mode,” despite every band member having other careers and bands and one member living in Atlanta, Georgia. He says it’s kind of a minor miracle that they’re able to continue to release music and play shows so gracefully.
Jennings is eager to continue to release new music himself or with The Tigers in 2025. You can catch an especially unique conversation that features Jennings breaking down his latest album and Jabee’s equally as expressive “The Spirit is Willing, But The Flesh is Weak” on Jan. 16 at The SoundBar in Automobile Alley.
Lincka (@linckamusic)
The music of LatinX and Indie-pop artist Lincka is highly textured sonically and lyrically. With a focus on bilingual lyricism, Lincka explores topics ranging from human connection to rights with a high attention to detail in the music, message and presentation.
Lincka’s stage presence draws on inspiration from Latin music icons like Juan Gabriel and Celia Cruz and shows in her carefully curated outfits, performances and videos.
Though heavily inspired visually by Gabriel and Cruz, Lincka’s music is much different and is inspired by artists like The Marias, The Strokes and beabadoobee.
“There’s something about indie shit that I just love,” she said. “I just feel so at home with it.”
Lincka plans to explore more synth-driven songs with retro rhythms and drumming and coin the term “Chicano Futurism” in her songs planned for 2025.
Though always looking to the future, Lincka feels strong empowerment and responsibility, particularly on stage, to honoring her Mexican heritage and ancestors.
Keep up with her for new music, and watch out for show announcements to catch a special audiovisual experience.
This article appears in Stitt’s Top Ten.