BIO

Carlby is an alternative pop artist based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. While Carlby is the solo project of Carl Lodoen, he frequently performs and collaborates with artist/producer, Dylan “Horosha” Harris.

As longtime friends, Carl and Dylan have been making music together for more than ten years, refining their dynamic with the formation of Carlby in 2019. They draw inspiration from emo rock and post-hardcore, as well as modern hip-hop and pop music to produce a refreshing, unique fusion of genres.

“The way Carlby seamlessly blend emo, pop, hip-hop, and other genres showcases their artistic talent and their willingness to explore new boundaries. The combination of different elements creates a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly unique, setting it apart from other music in today's landscape.” says music critic, Emma Blaire.

Carlby’s signature sound, showcased in songs like “Class of ‘68” and “Friends & Cigarettes”, is characterized by intricate Midwest emo guitar riffs backed by a mix of tight hip-hop percussion and dynamic rock drums, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and innovative. Carlby’s smooth vocals and catchy melodies are often accompanied by Horosha’s precise harmonies, or contrasted against harsh screamed vocals.

Carlby is also known to experiment with a variety of genres, from country (“No Good”) to pop punk (“College Town”) and even metal (“Wrong Turn”).

“Carlby has consistently continued to impress with a glossy pop rock sound that has been meticulously crafted and condensed into only the best and most pristine elements of his creative process.” says melmige, in his video review of “Midwest Vignettes”.

Carlby has established a strong base of listeners and collaborators through the underground music scenes of SoundCloud and X (formerly Twitter). As an independent artist, he recognizes the power of collaboration for both creative and commercial growth.

Carlby began picking up traction on music streaming services with the release of “Not Worth Saving” in 2021. Later that year, Carlby released a single titled “I Meant It When I Said ‘Til Death, so Let Me Rest in Peace” which went on to accumulate more than 100,000 streams on Spotify. In August of 2023, Carlby & Horosha released their debut full-length album, “Midwest Vignettes”. Since then, Carlby has accumulated over 1 million streams on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Currently, Carlby and Horosha are writing their sophomore album while performing throughout the Wisconsin/ Minnesota area.