indie-rock
These are the best indie-rock artists featured on Release Wave.
Fish Narc
fish narc is the musical moniker of Olympia, WA-based songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Funkhouser. The album combines timeless songwriting with '90s alternative grit and heart-on-sleeve lyricism to show off a whole new side of fish narc's world. Funkhouser has an expansive catalog of work as a rap producer and a solo artist–one that’s often distinguished by its sonic references to his background in the Pacific Northwest DIY punk scene. Now with the latest fish narc moniker and forthcoming LP, Funkhouser has teamed up with Calvin Johnson’s legendary record label, K Records, to fully embrace the guitar-forward indie rock songwriting of his youth. It’s a return to his roots that has inadvertently created a new beginning for fish narc.
Japandroids
Japandroids is a Canadian rock duo from Vancouver, British Columbia formed in 2006 combining elements of anthemic punk, post-punk, and rock with monster hooks and shout along choruses. The group consists of Brian King (guitar, vocals) and David Prowse (drums, vocals).After self-releasing 2007’s All Lies and 2008’s Lullaby Death Jams EPs to little attention, the band was effectively broken up by the end of 2008. In January 2009, Japandroids signed to Unfamiliar Records for the release of their debut LP Post-Nothing, deciding to continue on temporarily. The album quickly and unexpectedly rose to wide critical acclaim after its April release. King and Prowse were subsequently signed to Polyvinyl and toured extensively throughout 2009 and 2010, playing more than 200 shows in 20 countries and earning praise for their extremely energetic live performances. A compilation of Japandroids’ self-released EPs, entitled No Singles, as well as a series of three 7″ singles, “Art Czars,” “Younger Us,” and “Heavenward Grand Prix” were released in the meantime. The tour ultimately concluded on October 27, 2010. After working on new material throughout 2011, Japandroids announced in March 2012 that their second LP, Celebration Rock, would be released internationally on June 5, prefaced by the single “The House That Heaven Built” on May 15. Similarly to its predecessor, Celebration Rock was also widely acclaimed by critics. Their third album, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, was released on January 27, 2017, by ANTI-. The album experimented with some new sounds while still maintaining true to their roots, and was also a critical success. Now after 7 years, the duo have finally announce they will release their final LP titled "Fate & Alcohol" in October of 2024, before parting ways for good.
Wild Pink
Wild Pink is an American indie rock band from the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. The band has released 4 studio LPs and is gearing up to release their 5th album in September of 2024.
Delta Sleep
Delta Sleep are a British indie rock band, formed in 2010 in Canterbury, Kent known for their intricate rhythms and captivating melodies akin to bands like American Football and Minus The Bear. The band combines elements of math rock, indie-rock and post-hardcore and are currently based in Brighton consisting of Devin Yüceil on guitar and vocals, Glen Hodgson on guitar, Dave Jackson on bass and Blake Mostyn on drums. They have so far released 4 EPs and 4 albums with an brand new LP slated for fall of 2024.
Slumped
Slumped are an alternative rock band from Oakland, Ca with similarities to bands like Weezer, The Rentals, and newer bands like Webbed Wing. About the band, California’s Slumped is an alternative rock band formed in 2017 as part of the burgeoning indie scene of the east Bay Area. With a throw back sound to 90s fuzzed out power pop, alt-rock, and grunge-pop, and informed as much by the tone and engaging songwriting of bands like Weezer, The Rentals, Third Eye Blind and Everclear as they are by more contemporary acts like Superheaven, Webbed Wing and Tony Molina, Slumped plays loud fuzzed out catchy rock music - full stop. Driven by screaming refrigerator guitar amps and distortion pedals, thundering drums, and roaring bass, the band’s “heavy pop songs” sound like they’re 100 stories tall, both on and off record. Existing somewhere between Weezer’s Pinkerton and Thin Lizzy’s Black Rose, Slumped is the perfect soundtrack for driving very fast into the sunset while bawling your eyes out.
Fig Dish
Some Fear
some fear began as a solo endeavor in 2021 in Oklahoma City, OK when Branden “Bran” Palesano released a rough demo on Bandcamp. The project, initially driven by his solitary songwriting process—where he dwells on his thoughts and crafts chord progressions in one sitting—soon evolved into a full band. Bran’s vision was realized with the addition of Ray Morgan, Lennon Bramlett, and James Tunell, who added another dimension to the sound. The band’s sound can be described as chill and melancholic, a blend of slowcore and lo-fi rock that resonates with a profound sense of introspection. From a solitary project to a dynamic quartet, some fear continues to carve out a unique niche in the music scene with their deeply personal and genre-blending approach.
Gleemer
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.
Suburban Eyes
Bad Neighbour
Brisbane's Bad Neighbour, an emo/indie rock band formed in 2018, draws inspiration from bands such as PUP, Modern Baseball, Blis., and The Menzingers. Their upcoming debut LP "Millions" is set to release on September 20, 2024, showcasing their catchy self proclaimed "sad rock" combining catchy nostalgic emo, post-hardcore and alt rock with anthemic hooks, heavily influenced by bands from the early and mid 2000's/2010s and with a rejuvenating take on the sound.
Nada Surf
Nada Surf is an American alternative rock band formed in New York City in 1992, consisting of Matthew Caws (guitar, vocals), Ira Elliot (drums), and Daniel Lorca (bass, backing vocals). After initially operating under the name Helicopter, Caws and Lorca switched to Nada Surf. In 1995, Ira Elliot joined on drums, and they met Ric Ocasek, former frontman of the Cars, who produced their debut album, High/Low, in 1996. Despite experiencing significant success with their single "Popular" and touring extensively, their follow-up album, The Proximity Effect, was not well received by their record label, Elektra, resulting in the band being dropped, and they self-released the album. Throughout the early 2000s, members worked regular day jobs while continuing to create music, leading to the release of the critically acclaimed album Let Go, in 2002. Their subsequent albums included The Weight Is a Gift (2005), Lucky (2008), the covers album If I Had a Hi-Fi (2010), and The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (2012). They issued their eighth studio album, You Know Who You Are, in 2016, and followed it with Never Not Together in 2020. Their tenth studio album, Moon Mirror, will be released in September 2024.
Webbed Wing
Webbed Wing is a grungy power-pop / alt-rock band from Philadelphia led by guitarist and singer Taylor Madison. Their sound is reminiscent of bands like Superheaven, with drummer Jake Clarke and bassist Mike Paulshock rounding out the lineup.
Entropy
Entropy, a German alternative rock band, taps into 90s-inspired melodic grunge and post-hardcore with a touch of shoegaze and emotionally charged indie rock in their music with infectious pop hooks. Influenced by bands such as Sugar, Quicksand, and Swervedriver, their debut LP "Liminal" and subsequent EP "Death Spells" have garnered attention. Fans can anticipate the release of their upcoming sophomore LP "Dharmakāya" in August 2024 which is sure to take their sound to the next level.
High Vis
High Vis delivers aggressive and artful punk, drawing inspiration from London underground acts like Chubby And The Gang and The Chisel. Their intense live shows and politically charged lyrics echo their hardcore roots, while also exploring post-punk textures reminiscent of older UK bands such as Gang Of Four and Joy Division. They are part of a new crop of bands seamlessly blending genres like street punk, jangly indie sneer, brit pop, post punk, hardcore and shoegaze with a sonic landscape, big melodies, and anthem hooks.
Karate
Heart to Gold
Formed in 2017, Minneapolis, Minnesota indie/punk band Heart to Gold strike a chord with their swaggering, scrappy Midwest punk that prioritizes the strength of the collective over the individual. There are obvious influences from bands like The Weakerthans, American Football, Weezer, Husker Du, and more, but Heart to Gold is really doing their own thing with it and that's in part due to Grant Whiteoak, lead singer and guitarist. Both on a songwriting and a vocal delivery level, his voice and his lyrics can often times feel like two distinct instruments––and part of the band's magic is in how they're able to masterfully weave it all together. The band is singed to Will Yip's Memory Music and will release their a new LP in November 2024.
Public Opinion
Public Opinion is an indie/post-punk/hardcore band from Denver, Colorado, with a lineup featuring Kevin Hart, Devan Bentley, Kevin Johnson, Brent Liseth, and Sebastian Stanley. Influenced by early 2000s rock revival bands like The Strokes, The Hives, Bloc Party but with a hardcore twist, the band will release their debut LP "Painted On Smile" in September 2024, co-produced by Ian Shelton (Militarie Gun) and Taylor Young and will please fans of bands like Spiritual Cramp, Militarie Gun, Squint, The Hives, The Vines and Angel Du$t.
Jr. Juggernaut
LA power trio Jr. Juggernaut is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, CA and currently signed to Mindpower Records. The band currently consists of singer/guitarist Mike Williamson, drummer Wal Rashidi, and bassist Noah Green (of L.A.'s The Pretty Flowers). The bands sound is a fresh take on the warm and fuzzy sounds of '90s style alt-rock with big melodies and hooks. Were MTV’s original incarnation of “120 Minutes” still on the air, Jr. Juggernaut's recent material would all be contenders for Buzz Bin video status. The band is heavily influenced by the guitar heavy 90s alt rock, punk and power pop in bands like The Replacements, Sugar, Hukser Du, early Goo Goo Dolls, and more current bands like The Gaslight Anthem, The Hold Steady, Beach Slang and the like.
The Jesus Lizard
The Jesus Lizard, one of the original noise rock bands with a history starting from the late 80s in Austin, Texas and ultimately moving to Chicago, evolved to become a legendary and impactful act with a distinctive sound. Known for their intense performances and powerful music filled with scathing guitar-driven pseudo industrial noise, the band has released multiple albums that showcase their raw energy and unique style. Their upcoming seventh album, "Rack," and first in over 25 years set to be released by Ipecac Recordings, continues their legacy of ferocious and captivating music.