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.

Moving Mountains is an American rock band from Purchase, New York. Combining elements of emo and post-rock, the band has often been compared to such acts as The Appleseed Cast, Gates and Thrice.

Rocky Votolato has formed a new band called Suzzallo, revealing their debut album "The Quiet Year" with a release date of May 2nd, 2025. Departing from Votolato's acoustic roots, Suzzallo offers a cathartic blend of fuzzed out alternative rock, exploring themes of grief and healing following a personal tragedy.

Doom Mutual unifies the musical endeavors of Nashville-based musicians Daphne Browdy and Davis Gestiehr, constructing familiar but eccentrically fascinating rock qualities. Doom Mutual is the individuals’ creative styles working in parallel with one another, ultimately generating a solid foundation of brooding lyricism and impressionable delivery.

Keep is an alternative rock band from Richmond, VA that was formed in 2013 and who's sound is heavily rooted in shoegaze, dream pop, 80s new wave, and 90s inspired alternative rock. They are heavily influenced by the likes of The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Slowdive, but that only scratches the surface. In a review of their second album, Happy In Here, it is stated that “even with these comparisons and any accuracy they could possess, Keep are a band that’s not only cut their own sort of path, but have become quite seasoned at it.” Their music has spanned a number of genres over the years, but most often falls under the banner of shoegaze. Regardless of specific distinctions, Keep sits firmly in the web of alternative rock music. Audiotree aptly described the sound as “grand and majestic”, adding that it is “ensconced in an all consuming mist of heavy noise.” The band is gearing up to release their new LP "Almost Static" in May of 2025.

The Starting Line is an American pop-punk band formed in 1999 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band's original lineup consisted of Ken Vasoli (lead vocals/bass), Matt Watts (guitar), Mike Golla (guitar/backing vocals), and Tom Gryskiewitz (drums). They signed with Drive-Thru Records and released their debut album, Say It Like You Mean It, in 2002. The Starting Line released three studio albums: Say It Like You Mean It (2002), Based on a True Story (2005), and Direction (2007). They went on hiatus in 2008 but have reunited for shows and tours over the years, and are now back with their fourth LP and first album in 18 years, expected to be released in fall of 2025.

Chicago-based punk/emo trio Heavy Seas, led by Jeff Dean of Airstream Futures, The Bomb, and All Eyes West, released their debut LP "Everything Breaks" in 2021. The band draws inspiration from 90s indie/emo/post-hardcore acts such as Seaweed, Jawbox, and Jawbreaker. Their upcoming sophomore album "Distortion Days" is set for release on Really Rad Records in January 2024.

Unseemlier are a New England based self-proclaimed heavy emo/soft punk band, however the band are anything but soft. Founded in the fall of 2023, Unseemlier was born from emo nostalgia and a shared passion for raw, unapologetic music. Childhood friends Mike Assatly, Chris Pina, and Kevin Merriam quickly wrote their first tape and soon after its release recruited Andrea Neuenfeldt for bass and vocal duties. Since inception Unseemlier has played all over Boston and New England to a growing fan base who are ready to hear what's next. The band released their debut EP "The Truth Is We Out Here" in May of 2024, only hinting at what the band was capable of. Self described as heavy emo/soft punk, Unseemlier's debut LP is aptly titled "I Have A Screw Loose, Somewhere" and is due June of 2025 via Sell The Heart Records. Recorded in the fall of 2024 with Zach Weeks at God City Studios, the twenty-three minute long blast is full of heavy hitting lyrics that listeners can easily connect with. The album quickly rips through themes of addiction and loss, growing up in a suburban bubble, and battling to look at the world in a positive light.

RIYL: Fiddlehead, Have Heart, Militarie Gun, Drug Church, Spite House, Touche Amore, Title Fight

Dead History is a Minneapolis-based emo/post-hardcore quintet, whose members include stalwarts of the formative emo/hardcore years in various scenes across the Upper Midwest. Their sound unapologetically pays homage to the likes of Quicksand, Texas is the Reason, Hum, Far, Jawbox, Swervedriver and Sparkmarker among others. They released their self titled LP in 2020 and will release their sophomore LP "Departures" in June 2025.

Stateside is a melodic emo/punk band from Southern California formed in 2022. The band plays heartfelt, melodic pop punk music with a hardcore edge that feels simultaneously nostalgic for a time when bands wore their hearts on their sleeves and a current moment where sound transcends genre or authenticity is key. The band has signed to Pure Noise records and will release their debut LP in June 2025.

RIYL: Koyo, Stand Still, One Step Closer, Knuckle Puck, No Pressure

Slow Joy is a Dallas-based Chicano artist, leading a solo project that delves into loud, fuzzy alternative rock. With a series of singles and EPs, Slow Joy's music resonates well within the Texas nugaze music scene.

Oversize, an alternative rock band from Salisbury UK, formed in late 2019 blending influences from 90's Indie, Emo, Grunge, Shoegaze, and Britpop. They released their debut EP "In Balance" in 2021 and are set to follow up with the EP "Into the Ceiling" in late 2022.

Plight is an alternative grungegaze band from NYC combing elements of power-pop, emo, grunge, and alt-rock with big loud guitars and razor sharp hooks.

Drought is a bay-area melodic hardcore band influenced by Pianos Become the Teeth, Title Fight and mewithoutYou, and are currently signed to Iodine Records. The band will release their emotionally charged debut album "Souvenir," in July 2025, showcasing a fusion of post-hardcore and emo. Recorded by Jack Shirley, the album channels themes of survivor's guilt and generational trauma, featuring guest vocals from members of Fiddlehead and Mom Jeans.

Hailing from Long Island, NY, Somerset Thrower was founded by four friends who share a love of all things rock and roll. Built on punk and hardcore roots, the four-piece blends raw energy with melody-soaked textures to create something both urgent and timeless. Fans of bands like Seaweed, Jawbreaker, Samiam, Jimmy Eat World and more recent bands like Drug Church, Taking Meds, Praise and the like will enjoy their sound. The band has signed to Smart Punk Records and will release their third album, Take Only What You Need to Survive in July 2025.

Pet Symmetry is an American emo band from Chicago, Illinois formed in 2012 by Erik Czaja and Marcus Nuccio (both members of Chicago-based emo band Dowsing) and Evan Thomas Weiss (who performs solo material under the name Into It. Over It.). They are currently signed to Storm Chaser Records and have released a handful of EPs and LPs. The band is gearing up to release their new LP "Big Symmetry" in May 2025.

RIYL: Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Motion City Soundtrack, Into it. Over it.