Formed by multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Sonia Weber in 2015, Alien Boy has steadily evolved from a plucky punk band in the Portland, Oregon, DIY scene into one of the most reliably satisfying rock bands in modern guitar music. The group, whose lineup is rounded out by drummer Derek McNeil along with guitarists Caleb Misclevitz and A.P. Fiedler, solidified their sound on 2021’s acclaimed Don’t Know What I Am, and now on their upcoming third LP "You Wanna Fade?" do May 2025 takes all of the best parts of that pop-rock-by-way-of-shoegaze concoction and amplifies them to their most widescreen version. “I wanted to go as big as possible and I really didn’t want to rush,” Weber says of the album’s sound and four-year gestation. “When I first started the band I was trying to keep the songs as short as possible, but I sort of realized that that’s not actually what I like. I was looking at the records that I turn to the most–Third Eye Blind’s self-titled and Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream–and I really wanted to capture that kind of grandness, the kind of thing that has a lot of dimension and isn’t actually that concise.”

From Cleveland, OH, Heart Attack Man originally started as a solo recording project for singer/guitarist Eric Egan in 2013. Driven by an ingrained appreciation for addictive melodies and hard hitting alternative rock, the project quickly evolved into a full band. Shortly after the EP Acid Rain was released, the band gained an overwhelmingly positive response and hit the road to tour throughout the US and Canada. In 2015 the band headed to Philadelphia to record their debut full length, The Manson Family, at Headroom Studios with Ian Farmer of Modern Baseball for you You Did This/Triple Crown Records. Subsequently, the band has released 2 additional LPs and an EP, and are gearing up to release their 4th LP in April 2025 via Many Hats Distribution.

Bedridden is a sludgy shoegaze band based in Brooklyn led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jack Riley who draw inspiration from the loud and fuzzed out alternative guitar rock of the 90s. Bedridden began in New Orleans when Riley was in college, where he enlisted bassist Sebastian Duzian and drummer Nicholas Pedroza to form a live band. The initial lineup shared their debut EP, Amateur Heartthrob in 2023, which includes fan-favorite songs like “Clara’s Mouth” and “Soft Soap.” Now a Brooklyn-based project, the trio recently added guitarist Wesley Wolffe to the mix and are gearing up for the release of their debut LP via Julia's War Recordings, for fans of Narrow Head, Hum, Smashing Pumpkins

Formed in Jacksonville, FL in 2020 while members Joel Cedeno, Nick Dilts, Jarod Whalen, and Reed Cothren previously & simultaneously played in bands True Form, Method of Doubt, and more—Leaving Time sonically stands out from the aforementioned. Taking inspiration from the notable '90s alternative-rock and shoegaze sound, Leaving Time adds much of their own to the sound. Subtle nuances like the whirling guitar leads and hardcore-inspired drums give each song a driving punch, taking the singular "shoegaze" descriptor out of the picture. On EP II, the band again connected with Gainesville producer, John Howard to write some of their best songs to date. Pushing the sound heard on their S/T, EP II finds the band coming to form. The band is signed to Sunday Drive Records and is gearing up to release their debut LP in November of 2024.

The alternative rock band Fake Eyes, from North Carolina, combines shoegaze, grunge, brit pop, and emo influences in their music. Fans of Trauma Ray, Narrow Head, and Broken Head will enjoy their sound, as the band pulls from similar 90s influences like Hum, Sunny Day Real Estate and The Smashing Pumpkins. They have an EP out on New Morality Zine and plan to release their debut LP on Sunday Drive Records in fall 2024.

Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Downward offers an inspiring take on alternative, emo, shoegaze, and post-hardcore influences to create a unique sonic experience with no boundaries. They've released a self-titled debut LP in 2018, followed by a two-track 7" in 2020 and an outstanding EP titled "The Brass Tax" in 2022 and a split EP with Trauma Ray in 2024. Their latest work, a sophomore self-titled album (LP2), showcases the band's evolution and commitment to pushing genre boundaries, with a mix of light and airy elements combined with powerful and emotive sounds, showcasing their place as a standout force in modern alternative music. The band continues to tow the line between what is seemingly light and airy (reminiscent of Radiohead) and at the same time beautifully crushing (akin to modern luminaries Nothing).

RIYL Moving Mountains, Gleemer, Keep, Trauma Ray, Nothing, All Under Heaven.

Arm's Length is an emo-rock band from Quinte, Ontario, drawing influence from early 2000s anthemic emo-punk. They have gained recognition in the underground emo scene with their debut EP "Everything Nice" and debut LP "Never Before Seen, Never Again Found", and are now gearing up for their sophomore LP "There's a Whole World Out There" under Pure Noise Records. Fans of Armor For Sleep, Taking Back Sunday, Hot Mulligan, Knuckle Puck, and Real Friends will definitely be interested in this band.

Momma is an alternative / indie rock band from Calabasas, California based in Brooklyn, New York. The band formed in 2015 by Etta Friedman (songwriter/guitarist/vocalist) and Allegra Weingarten (songwriter, guitarist, vocalist), who have been friends with each other since meeting at Viewpoint School. The band also consists of Aron Kobayashi Ritch (producer/bassist), and Preston Fulks (drummer). The band is currently signed to Polyvinyl Records. Momma released their first album in 2018 through Danger Collective Records, titled Interloper. On February 24, 2020, Momma announced their second album, Two Of Me, alongside a new song, "Double Dare". On April 6, 2020, Momma shared another song from the album, "Biohazard". The album was recorded during summer break while the members were attending college.The album was described as a concept album "about small-town life in an alternate reality". The band went on to release their third album, Household Name, on July 1, 2022 via Polyvinyl and Lucky Number to critical acclaim with a sound reminiscent of 90s inspired guitar rock with big melodies and hooks, similar to bands like Veruca Salt and The Breeders, while also sharing similarities to newer bands like Soccer Mommy and Wishy.

Michael Cera Palin are an emotive indie-punk trio with a cathartically catchy sound and an impassioned live show, forged through a near-decade of teeth-cutting in Atlanta's DIY scene. MCP currently features Elliott Brabant, Jon Williams, and Chad Miller and are gearing up to release their long awaited debut LP for Counter Intuitive Records in March 2025.

New Age Thief is a Chicago based two-piece band, channeling the sounds of earlier eras of emo/alternative music through impassioned, drivey, and anthemic songs that draw heavy influence from bands like Jimmy Eat World, Basement, Armor for Sleep and the like. Their anthemic emo punk sound is all at once classic sounding while being updated for modern times. The band is gearing up to release their debut LP on Wax Bodega in October 2025.

Common Sage is an American emo band hailing from Brooklyn, New York, and was established in 2018 on Staten Island. The band, featuring members Julian Rosen, Chris Johns, and Phil DiMarco, has put out two albums and one EP, drawing comparisons to similar artists in the post-hardcore scene like Thursday, Brand New, and The Republic of Wolves.

ASkySoBlack is a post-hardcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their music blends 90s alternative rock with elements of nu-metal, shoegaze, and 00s emo, and their lyrics explore themes of love, loss, and heartbreak.

Based out of Antelope Valley CA, BED started out as a self titled solo project making indie rock. Over the years, the project has evolved into a 4 piece band. With influences ranging from indie rock to hardcore, The band today together outputs a high energy sound that could be described within the genres and moods of Dreampunk, Alternative, Shoegaze, or just Rock... The bands high energy sound is matched by high energy performances in concert, with emphasis on creating memorable experiences for their audience. Fans of Basement, Title Fight, Narrow Head, Superheaven and 90s influenced guitar fueled alternative rock.

Phoenix emo punk band Troubled Minds, founded by songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Matt Aldawood, commonly writes emotionally charged angst driven songs with memorable hooks. The songs are melodic and guitar driven similar to bands like The Wonder Years, Arm's Length, Hot Mulligan, and the like.

Fort Collins, CO based band Gleemer mixes indie / alt rock with dream pop, shoegaze and a splash of emo. The band is heavily influenced by the melodic guitar rock sounds from the 90s and is centered around Corey Coffman's layered and fuzzy guitar tones and melancholy vocal delivery. The band has released 4 full length LP's and 2 EPs, all of which are consistent while offering something new to their sound. The band is signed to Other People Records and are now gearing up to release their 5th LP in December 2024. Fans of Balance and Composure, Death Cab for Cutie, DIIV, Cloakroom and newer bands like Downward and Glare will enjoy Gleemer.

Tiny Moving Parts is an American emo / math rock / pop punk band from Benson, Minnesota. Formed by brothers William and Matthew Chevalier, and their cousin Dylan Mattheisen, the band has released 6 studio albums across labels such as Hopeless Records, Triple Crown Records, Big Scary Monsters etc since their 2008 formation in junior high. The are gearing up to release their 7th LP in November of 2024.