Flame Parade @ The New Colossus Festival 2025
Italy’s Flame Parade made their U.S. debut at New Colossus Festival last month. Their diverse musical backgrounds, ranging from classical training to emo bands, fuels their sonic experimentation. We spoke with Flame Parade about music’s power to connect, their songwriting process, and the energy of live performance.
You Said Strange @ The New Colossus Festival 2025
French neo-psych/shoegaze band You Said Strange has been making waves for over a decade, blending dreamy atmospheres with raw energy. Fresh off multiple sets at this year’s New Colossus Festival, we caught up with them to talk songwriting, influences, and standout performances.
Mahogany @ The New Colossus Festival 2025
Mahogany blends genres including classical, shoegaze & post-punk into their signature “hypercube” style. Their approach to live performance was on full display at The New Colossus Festival’s Shoegaze Party. Read our exchange where they talk songwriting, gear and Kraftwerk.
smalltalk @ The New Colossus Festival 2025
Savannah-based smalltalk describes their sound as “griddy gaze.” Their set during the annual The New Colossus Shoegaze Day Party, hosted at Arlene’s Grocery, was a captivating experience that left us wanting more. We spoke with the band about staying up late, British ‘80s rock, collaborations and more.
March 2025 Bandcamp Friday
Bandcamp Friday is back! See some of our favorite recent releases that you should consider picking up today.
Blous3 dials into the noise on ‘Synchronized Swimming’
Sacramento-based art punk band Blous3 has released their third album Synchronized Swimming, showcasing their evolving sound and songwriting. The album features a mix of noise, distortion, and experimental elements. In our Q&A, the band discussed their creative growth, collaborative writing process, working with Cherub Dream Records, and shoutout their favorite Sacramento bands.
Cosmopaark switches things up on ‘Backyard’
Bordeaux shoegaze band Cosmopaark has released their latest EP, Backyard, which features five tracks that blend classic shoegaze with modern noise pop. The EP was recorded in a studio, allowing the band to experiment with new production techniques. Backyard explores themes of resilience and introspection while showcasing their evolving sound. With a limited-edition release that quickly sold out, Cosmopaark's creative journey continues to captivate fans. Read our interview with vocalist Clément Pelofy.
6 Things W/The Noir Dalis
The Noir Dalis is a Los Angeles-based duo featuring vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Carlos Bojorquez and drummer Linda Ventura. The pair is known for their collaborative songwriting, blending influences from psychedelic, garage, and post-punk. Their debut single, "Strawberry Jones," was recorded at Joshua Tree Studios with producer Tommy Dietrick and Jared Artaud (The Vacant Lots). Their self-titled debut album was released earlier this year, followed by additional singles, including the new 7” Rise. In "6 Things W/The Noir Dalis," they share insights about their favorite gear, creative exercises and more.
November 2024 Best Releases
Bandcamp Friday is on a break until December. We rounded up a list of October releases any way.
Phantom Handshakes on instinct, mood and success
Phantom Handshakes explores themes of twilight and emotional depth in their latest album Sirens at Golden Hour. The dream pop duo is Matt Sklar and Federica Tassano. They perform live as a 5-piece alongside Meghan Seeberg, Matt Billington, and Brian Alvarez. Sonically, the release expands on their lo-fi soundscapes, while they touch on themes of hope, despair and the climate crisis. We connected with the pair to discuss instinctual songwriting, measuring success and more.
6 Things W/Valleyview
Pittsburgh post-punk band Valleyview recently released their debut album Still Life. The band, consisting of Jesse Farine, Jared Anderson, Ben Volk, and Ethan Herring, draws inspiration from both contemporary and classic post-punk acts, including Protomartyr and Joy Division.
In our "6 Things W/Valleyview" Farine talks the band's evolving guitar sound, stepping away from music to defeat writer's block, their approach to visual work and the importance of supporting others in the independent music scene.
all under heaven makes magic on ‘What Lies Ahead Of Me’
all under heaven's debut album What Lies Ahead Of Me, highlights the band’s evolution. The New Jersey band is Nick DeFabritus, Michael Cucci, Aaron Brenner, and Jake Rubin. Their new album blends old and new tracks, showcasing themes of loneliness, growth, and introspection through emotive shoegaze music. With contributions from band members and collaborator Wyatt Oberholzer, the album introduces new elements like synths and electronic drums. The spontaneous creation of "Believing," influenced by "Just Like Heaven," adds an energetic touch. The shift towards a more collaborative recording process revitalized their approach, leading to a renewed creative spirit. Read our interview with Nick DeFabritus and Michael Cucci in which we discuss collaboration, X-files, and making magic in the studio.
daarling dives into the deep within
Chicago-based trio daarling has emerged onto the music scene with their debut album, "The Deep Within." Recorded in the basement of their old practice space with CJ Melton, the album showcases a mix of alt-rock and shoegaze, tinged with elements of noise and grunge. Tracks like "Metamorphosis" and "Out of Greed" offer introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, highlighting daarling's ability to craft emotive and compelling music. As they embark on a spring tour to promote their album, daarling promises to continue pushing creative boundaries while staying true to their evocative sound. Read our Q&A with the band.
With ‘GOOD TIME,’ DAIISTAR Bolts to the Top
Austin noise pop band DAIISTAR experienced a sudden rise with their debut album GOOD TIME. The album, conceptualized by vocalist/guitarist Alex Capistran, was released by London indie Fuzz Club Records. In our interview, Capistran highlights the collaborative process with the band and producer Alex Maas. We talk about process, performance, the band’s ambition, and more.
Photo Credit: Janelle Abad
Dead Leaf Echo digs into The Mercy of Women
Dead Leaf Echo has been an integral part of New York’s shoegaze scene for over a decade. On their latest album ‘The Mercy of Women,’ Dead Leaf Echo experiments with song structure and genre further developing their craft. Delays stemming from the pandemic resulted in the album taking over six years from start to finish. We connected with the band’s vocalist LG Galleon to discuss the album’s evolution, concept, and more.
Best Songs of 2023
This year we compiled a list of our favorite releases from 2023. Our picks for best songs include poetic hip-hop from LPTHERAPPER and psychedelic rock from Holy Wave. Check out our full list!
Best EPs of 2023
This year we compiled a list of our favorite releases from 2023. Our EP picks include post-punk/industrial duo Polevaulter and London indie rock act Peter Xan. Check out our full list!
Best Albums of 2023
This year we compiled a list of our favorite releases from 2023. Our pick include shoegaze sounds of DAIISTAR to the bewitching rhythms of Karen y Los Remedios. Check out our full list!
HEAVY SLEEPER stands out on CHIME
On their new EP CHIME, HEAVY SLEEPER demonstrates their growth in melodic hooks, songwriting, and production. Drawing influences from alt-rock, shoegaze, and post-punk, their sound results in their self-proclaimed genre of "space punk." We connected with the band on their start, songwriting process and more.
Photo Credit: Jack Ludwick