Release Wave

They Are Gutting a Body of Water (aka TAGABOW), is a Philadelphia-based band formed in 2016 by Douglas Dulgarian, initially as a solo project. The band has since expanded to include Emily Lofing, PJ Carroll, and Ben Opatut, creating a sound that blends shoegaze, noise, hardcore, electronic, and drum and bass. They are known for their experimental and innovative approach to shoegaze, pushing the boundaries of the genre

Idlewild is a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1995. They are known for their evolution from early punk-influenced sound to more melodic and experimental art rock styles including influences from R.E.M, The Replacements, The Smiths, Fugazi and everything in between. The band's lineup has seen some changes, with Roddy Woomble (vocals), Rod Jones (guitar), Colin Newton (drums), and Bob Fairfoull (bass) being the core members. Idlewild's discography includes nine studio albums, showcasing their diverse sonic landscape and willingness to explore new sounds, with a 10th LP slated for fall of 2025.

Spoils System is a New York-based band formed in 2021 by Dan Coutant (vocals, guitar, keys), Sean Hansen (guitar, background vocals), David Fateman (bass), and Mark Frankel (drums). They are known for their melodic and often discordant indie rock, drawing on influences from their past work in the emo band Joshua (Doghouse Records). The band is gearing up to release their sophomore LP on Sweet Cheatah Records in summer 2025.

Forged in Vancouver’s late-’90s post-hardcore crucible, By A Thread first left their mark with Last of the Daydreams, a Revelation Records cult classic that paired soaring melody with raw emotional weight. After lineup twists and quiet years, core songwriters Sean Lande and John Franco joined forces with drummer Gabe Mantle (Gob) to shape Mirrored Life, a brooding, reverb-drenched record that channels grief, growth, and hard-won perspective into their heaviest, most expansive music yet. Bassist Carl McBeath now anchors the low end, completing a lineup ready to carry these songs forward. It’s not a comeback so much as a reaffirmation, proof that By A Thread’s knack for cathartic, atmospheric anthems remains more vital and uncompromising as ever.

Worlds Worst are a Salt Lake City alternative/indie/slacker rock band who play guitar heavy 90s inspired fuzzed out noise pop. The band is gearing up to release their sophomore LP, American Muscle, which showcases the band continuing to perfect their unique approach to the indie, noisy, slacker rock sound with loud punchy guitars and big hooks.

Have Mercy is a Baltimore-based indie / alt-rock band heavily influenced by post-hardcore and emo music, with heart on your sleeve vocals and driving guitar melodies. They have released multiple albums, with their latest being "Numb" in 2023 and their recently announced 6th LP, "the loneliest place i've ever been," is set to release in August 2025 via Rude Records. Fans of bands like The Dangerous Summer and Jimmy Eat World will enjoy their emotionally charged anthemic alt-rock.

Slow Crush is a Belgian shoegaze band known for their contrasting sounds, blending ethereal dream pop with crushing walls of noise. Formed in 2017, they've gained global recognition for their immersive and swirling soundscapes. The band, fronted by vocalist and bassist Isa Holliday, has evolved through lineup changes and label shifts, ultimately landing at Pure Noise Records for their upcoming third album, "Thirst," set to release on August 29, 2025.

Anamanaguchi is an American chiptune-based pop and rock band from New York City. The band has four members: lead songwriter and guitarist Peter Berkman, bassist James DeVito, guitarist Ary Warnaar and drummer Luke Silas. They combine digital electronic sounds such as those seen in chiptune and bitpop with traditional band instrumentation. As with other chiptune artists and 8-bit music, they have created music using video game hardware and vintage computers from the mid to late 1980s: namely a NES and a Game Boy. The band is currently signed to Polyvinle Records and will release their first lyrically driven rock album "Anyway" in August 2025.

Highspire was a shoegaze staple of the early 2000’s international shoegaze scene via early internet music sites, filesharing, and releases on compilations like Losing Today Magazine, Tonevendor, Vinyl Junkie, Alison Records, even Club AC30’s first release.

In 2004, legendary shoegaze label of the time Clairecords released their debut album "Your Everything" to much acclaim. With most shoegaze-centric outlets of the time naming it the best shoegaze album of the year, and even making KEXP’s John in the Mornings top 10 albums of 2004.

Alex White & EJ Hagen joined Australian Neo-Psych band the Morning After Girls for half a decade in 2008. In between tours, they recorded their 2nd album "Aquatic" in 2010. "Aquatic" also garnered many top shoegaze album of 2010 accolades of the time.

The latest incarnation of the band features Laura Watling (The Autocollants, Tears Run Rings), John Loring (Fleeting Joys), drummer Kory Gable, and original drummer Guyton Sanders. Their long-awaited third album, "Crushed," sees the band take it up a notch. With everyone involved saying it’s their best album yet. John Loring also mixed, mastered, and co-produced the album. 

"Crushed" will be released on Shelflife Records July 11, 2025 on 2 vinyl variants (Oilslick Nautilus & Orange Crushed) as well as CD. RIYL:

My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, Ride, Glare, Nothing, Greet Death, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart.

Rocket is an indie rock band formed in Los Angeles in 2021, known for their 90s-inspired sound with influences from shoegaze and alt-rock. The band consists of Alithea Tuttle (bass, vocals), Baron Rinzler (guitar), Cooper Ladomade (drums), and Desi Scaglione (guitar). They draw inspiration from bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr., The Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo, and Radiohead.

Nihilistic Easyrider is the brainchild of Narrow Head frontman Jacob Duarte. His debut LP "DELUXE EDITION" is a mixtape of sorts, a collection of songs written at various intervals throughout Duarte’s career. These songs traverse a wide-range of stylistic references, from saccharine Y2K emo and young-dumb-and-full-of pop punk to Soviet fuzz fueled alt and pure Evan Dando-core verse-chorus-verse-chorus-done pop rock. Brought to life by a cast of characters including Narrow Head drummer Carson Wilcox, producer (and former tour-mate) Graham Hunt and features from Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Ella Friedman, this debut album still provides with masterfully crafted and hook-drenched renditions of Duarte’s signature songwriting aesthetics.

The Casket Lottery is an emo/post-hardcore band from Kansas City, MO formed in 1997. The band released its first three LPs on Second Nature Recordings, a fourth LP on No Sleep Records, and reunited for a 5th LP in 2020 on Wiretap Records. The band are now signed to Iodine Records and will release it's 6th LP titled "Feel The Teeth" in August of 2025.

Shiner is a post-hardcore / space rock band formed in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1992. They are known for their intricate, melodic sound, with heavy guitars and spacey atmospherics, often compared to Failure, Swervedriver, and Hum. The band initially consisted of Allen Epley, Jeff Brown, and Shawn Sherrill, with Tim Dow later replacing Brown on drums. After several lineup changes and releases, Shiner disbanded in 2003. However, they reunited in 2012 for a series of reunion shows and eventually released a new album, Schadenfreude, in 2020. The band is currently signed to Spartan Records and will release a new LP in fall of 2025.

End It is a hardcore band from Baltimore, MD. Formed in 2017, the five-piece have pride for the city and often address the unease mixed with hope that stems from the community they live in. The band came out strong with the release of their self-titled EP the same year they started, and followed it up with 2020’s One Way Track. In the summer of 2022, the band took the hardcore world by storm with the EP, Unpleasant Living released through Flatspot Records. Quickly becoming a favorite with fans and press alike, the album landed on best of the year lists from Revolver, BrooklynVegan, Stereogum, No Echo and more. The band takes heavy influence from ‘90s hardcore, while throwing in their own flavor of thrashy guitars and charismatic vocals from Akil Godsey. They will be releasing their debut LP in summer of 2025.

Saturdays At Your Place is an emo band from Kalamazoo, MI. Their intimate lyrics pair with heavy hitting instrumental hooks and cleverly placed twinkly guitar parts to create a uniquely personal sound that has come to define the band.

Hailing from New Haven, Ct Sunday Morning is an alternative rock / post-hardcore band consisting of Westly Benjunas, Erik Stanzel, Dom Barone, Jason Moriarty, and Mike Verrastro. The band began in 2018, opening for artists such as Microwave, Boston Manor, Can’t Swim, and The Plot in You. Sunday Morning’s refined hardcore infused alternative sound is what sets them apart from their peers, making them one of the most exciting up and coming bands in the scene right now. At their core, Sunday Morning is about connection – writing songs that will resonate with their listeners, playing shows to connect with new fans, and at the end of the day, they’re living the dream, playing music they love as best friends. The band is currently signed to Open Your Ears Records who released their last EP in June 2024, and have just announced their debut LP releasing in October 2025.

Hot Mulligan, an American emo/punk band, emerged as part of the 5th wave emo revival. Their music blends midwestern emo guitars, mathy rhythms, and pop-punk melodies with anthemic sing-along choruses. They have released several well-received albums and EPs, drawing comparisons to artists like modern baseball and The Wonder Years.