_{By Zach Collier}

With an indie music industry as vibrant and prolific as Utah’s, newsworthy gems occasionally slip through the cracks. When you traffic in timely stories, it really bums me out as an editor whenever we’re late to the game and have to let something go. But every once in a while, something happens that deserves to be celebrated – even if it’s technically old news.

Such is the case with Utah pop artist Amy Geis. TikTok recently served up a video of hers to me, showcasing some endearing footage of her frantically running to her bedroom to listen to her song premiere on 97.1 ZHT. Frankie and Jess introduced her song “Anxiety” before blasting it over the airwaves the day of its release.

When did this happen? Last November.

Why am I sharing this now? For several reasons. Firstly, it’s not often that Utah radio – especially an iHeartMedia station – supports the music being made here. It’s fantastic that they gave Geis a shot. Secondly, “Anxiety” slaps. It recently received some attention due to mental health awareness month in May, and it appears to be gaining some momentum.

On the surface, the song feels very much like Em Beihold’s smash hit “Numb Little Bug.” It’s a piano-driven song that deals with mental health. But Geis’ song feels less desperate. It manages to feel hopeful while still taking a serious look at mental illness. Producer Logan Martin keeps everything dialed in with a solid, polished mix and some great auxiliary percussion. The result is a melancholy empowerment anthem that deserves to be heard by way more people.

Amy Geis dropped her first single, “Fighter,” in 2016. Her first full length album, Healing Heart, arrived in October of 2019. Counting “Anxiety,” she’s released 9 singles in the years since. According to Geis, her music strives to be an honest and heartfelt showcase of love, heartbreak, and the ups and downs of life.

I know this isn’t a new release, but indie finds that are this fresh deserve a chance to shine.

Make sure to follow Amy Geis on Instagram. You can hear “Anxiety” below.