alt country
what it is
Alternative country is a term used to describe a number of country music subgenres that tend to differ from mainstream or pop country music. The term is sometimes known as Alt. country and has included country music bands that have incorporated influences ranging from american roots music, bluegrass, rock & roll, rockabilly, acoustic music, americana, honky-tonk and punk rock.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make alt country a playlist
turn these 22 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is alt country?
Alternative country is a term used to describe a number of country music subgenres that tend to differ from mainstream or pop country music. The term is sometimes known as Alt. country and has included country music bands that have incorporated influences ranging from american roots music, bluegrass, rock & roll, rockabilly, acoustic music, americana, honky-tonk and punk rock.
What are good alt country albums to start with?
Try Josephine by Magnolia Electric Co., I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive by Steve Earle, Asking For Flowers by Kathleen Edwards, and Women in Music Pt III (Expanded Edition) by HAIM.
Who are some women making alt country?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/alt-country/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making alt country, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20