If you scroll through my Instagram Stories over the last year or two, you’ll probably notice something: there’s almost always music playing.
Sometimes it’s subtle background noise behind a quick clip. Sometimes it’s the entire point of the post. Either way, music has become a huge part of how I tell stories online.
Recently I pulled together a playlist of every song I’ve used in my Instagram Stories from 2024 to today, and what started as a simple collection of tracks quickly turned into something else entirely.
It’s basically a soundtrack to the past year of my life.
Every song is tied to a moment. A surf session. A photo shoot. A random thought that needed a musical punchline. A behind-the-scenes clip while editing photos late at night.
And when I looked through the playlist, I realized it wasn’t just full of big recognizable songs. A lot of the music comes from bands and artists that live just outside the mainstream.
Music as a Storytelling Tool
Instagram Stories move quickly. They’re quick snapshots of a day, a moment, or a thought.
Music slows things down just enough to give those moments context.
The right track can turn:
• a surfing clip into something cinematic
• a race or event into a highlight reel
• a random moment into a joke
• a quiet photo into something reflective
For me, picking the music is almost like choosing the emotional filter for the story.
The visuals show what happened.
The music suggests how it felt.
Songs That Became Running Themes
When you post a lot of stories, certain songs start to become recurring characters.
You find tracks that work perfectly for certain situations.
Maybe one song becomes the unofficial theme for surf clips. Another becomes the go-to track for sarcastic commentary. Another works perfectly for showing behind-the-scenes footage while editing photos.
Over time those songs stop being random selections and start feeling like inside jokes with your audience.
People hear the first few seconds and instantly know what kind of story they’re about to watch.
Music and the Creative Process
As a photographer and someone who’s constantly shooting or editing media, music is always part of the background.
When I’m editing photos or cutting video, there’s usually a playlist running in the background. The rhythm of a song can actually influence pacing and the flow of how clips come together.
That same thinking carries over into Instagram Stories.
Even though they’re quick and casual, I still think about the rhythm of the post. Music helps shape that.
Sometimes the song even comes before the story, and the visual just becomes a way to bring the track to life.
A Living Playlist
The best part about this playlist is that it isn’t finished.
Every time a new song makes its way into an Instagram Story, it gets added to the list.
Over time it’s becoming less like a playlist and more like a musical timeline of everything I’ve been working on, shooting, and sharing.
Events. Surf sessions. Random thoughts. Late-night edits.
They all end up here in song form.
Listen to the Playlist
If you want to hear the music that’s been soundtracking my Instagram Stories over the past year, you can check out the full playlist here:
You might discover some familiar songs. You might stumble onto a few artists you’ve never heard before.
Either way, it’s a pretty accurate representation of the soundtrack behind everything I’ve been posting lately.
And like the stories themselves, it’s always evolving.
Some of the Artists That Shaped This Playlist
One of the things that makes this playlist interesting is that it isn’t built around just mainstream hits. A lot of the music comes from artists that live slightly off the radar but have built strong followings because of their unique sound.
Here are some of the bands and artists that help give the playlist its personality.
DIIV
Dreamy, atmospheric, and hypnotic. DIIV’s music has that washed-out indie tone that feels perfect for late-night editing sessions or reflective moments. Their sound blends shoegaze textures with modern indie rock in a way that feels both nostalgic and current.
The Growlers
Few bands capture a hazy coastal vibe quite like The Growlers. Their mix of surf rock, garage, and psychedelic tones makes them a natural soundtrack for ocean footage and beach moments.
Real Estate
Real Estate has mastered the art of understated indie rock. Their music feels warm, reflective, and slightly nostalgic, which makes it perfect for quiet moments or slower visual storytelling.
Beach Fossils
Another band rooted in dreamy indie rock, Beach Fossils bring a laid-back tone that pairs well with almost anything. Their songs often feel like they belong in the background of a memory.
Osees
Formerly known as Thee Oh Sees, Osees deliver the opposite energy of mellow indie rock. Their music is fast, chaotic, and packed with garage-punk intensity, which makes it great for energetic clips or fast-paced edits.
The Frights
Surf punk with a slightly darker edge. The Frights blend youthful energy with raw guitars and lyrics that bounce between humor and introspection.
Wavves
Lo-fi, noisy, and unapologetically messy in the best way. Wavves helped define a whole era of DIY indie rock and still bring that same scrappy energy to their music.
Surf Curse
Surf Curse create songs that feel both nostalgic and cinematic. Their music often carries a sense of motion, making it perfect for visuals that capture movement or travel.
FIDLAR
High-energy punk with a rebellious streak. FIDLAR’s songs are chaotic, loud, and built for moments that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Turnover
Turnover’s sound evolved from pop-punk roots into dreamy indie rock, creating songs that feel emotional without being overly dramatic. Their music works especially well for reflective or mellow moments.