Dawn breaks on another gray Milwaukee day. The cries of gulls mock the unremarkable skyline of this frequently frozen city. Lake Michigan stretches endlessly, and the scent of last night’s bar towels lingers in the Eastside streets.

Looking for obvious beauty? This isn’t the place.

But it’s precisely the rugged charm and gritty character of Milwaukee that give this city its edge. Milwaukee is a city that punches well above its middle-western weight class. You don’t need Giannis Antetokounmpo or Harley-Davidson to prove it. Instead, the city’s story is best told through its music—an underground collection of flame-touched storytellers who capture its essence.

This album isn’t just a “greatest hits” collection; it’s a compilation of “fevered dreams.” Notes from the Underground VOL. 1 offers twelve bursts of creativity bottled just before daydreams give way to the daily grind.

The collection kicks off with the rock anthems of Trolley’s “Record Store” and Diet Lite’s “Stuck Again,” two high-octane tracks so alive with energy that no Milwaukee garage could contain them. They lead seamlessly into the gritty charm of Certain Stars’ “I Don’t Drink Much (About That),” a barroom anthem wrapped in chicken wire.

Milwaukee’s magic, though, lies in its diverse soundscapes. It’s not a one-note town. The haunting rhythm of Operations’ “Fog Museum” channels vibes reminiscent of the Isle of Wight, while The Quiet Canon’s “My Love Will Shine On You (Radio Edit)” and Apollo Vermouth’s melancholic “After School” provide tender, introspective moments. The brilliance continues with Testa Rosa’s melodic masterpiece “Alice Anything” and Elephonic’s uplifting “Wonderin’.”

Immortal Girlfriend’s “Hourglass” stands out with its retro 8-bit energy—pure, unfiltered fun. The sultry, synthesized vibes of Lauryl Sulfate & Her Ladies of Leisure’s “Laguna” leave listeners longing for the night to never end. But every party must fade, and Nick Maas’ “House For Two” provides a heartachingly timeless closer before Dead Horses’ “Brady Street” offers a nostalgic ode to Milwaukee’s own Haight-Ashbury.

Track Listing:

Side A:

Trolley - “Record Store”
Diet Lite - “Stuck Again”
Certain Stars - “I Don’t Drink Much (About That)”
Operations - “Fog Museum”
The Quiet Canon - “My Love Will Shine On You” (Radio Edit)
Apollo Vermouth - “After School”
Side B:

Testa Rosa - “Alice Anything”
Elephonic - “Wonderin’”
Immortal Girlfriend - “Hourglass”
Lauryl Sulfate & Her Ladies of Leisure - “Laguna”
Nick Maas - “House For Two”
Dead Horses - “Brady Street”
Take a stroll—or a spin—with these twelve new tracks that highlight Milwaukee’s creativity. This collection captures the rugged, wistful, and romantic spirit of the city. When you’re done listening, why not send your own message from the underground? Discover why Milwaukee, for all its grit and charm, is a dreamer’s home.