Author: Taryn Walters
Source: Sweetwater
Shoegaze has been around since the late 1980’s. While not many have heard of this music genre, it’s actually more well known than you might think. Stemming from alternative rock and indie, this subgenre is defined by its distorted guitars that enshroud ethereal, echoey vocals, giving it an overall dreamy and atmospheric sound. The name comes from Andy Ross, co-owner of the record label, Food Records. As a joke, he called them “shoegazers” after noticing that, while performing, the frontman of an indie-rock band called Moose, kept peering down at his shoes.
Early influential shoegaze artists include My Bloody Valentine, Ride, and Slowdive. Modern examples consist of bands like Whirr, Wisp, and Zeruel. Even bigger artists like Deftones, Superheaven, and Loathe are heavily inspired by shoegaze.
As an avid listener of the genre, there are so many talented, incredible, and underrated bands out there. In this underground artist spotlight, I am including four shoegaze bands that I believe deserve more love, along with my song recommendations.
Artist: Threaded
My Favorite Songs: ‘Static,’ ‘Drift,’ and ‘Denton’
Formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Threaded began as four friends coming together from college and high school. With Shane Toth on drums, Kyle Shellhammer on bass, Mitch Ellenberger on guitar, and Ian Flasik on guitar and vocals, they mostly covered songs from bands like Title Fight, Superheaven, and Nothing. After some time, they began writing/recording demos and playing live shows.
They released their first single on Spotify on September 14th, 2022, titled ‘Terminal’. This song would be the start to many amazing tracks. The songs they have put out reflect a unique blend of shoegaze, grunge, emo, and alternative rock. They often play small shows in and around Pittsburg, at venues such as The Government Center, The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, and Local 724 Studio. Additionally, they have played with local bands Frame and Mantle, Gloomer, and Velvet Overkill, as well as bands coming through Pittsburgh like Glimmer, Soft No, Cigarettes From Breakfast, and Velvet.
With plans of releasing an LP in 2026, Threaded is a must-listen band for anyone looking to get into shoegaze!
Artist: Strayline.
My Favorite Songs: ‘Mirror,’ ‘Decay,’ ‘Fade,’ and ‘Lustre’
Ian Flasik, the singer of Threaded, started Strayline as a solo project for songs that didn’t match the Threaded sound. As compared to his main project, Flasik explained that “Strayline songs can be a little bit more all over the place and not follow the rules. . . I look at Threaded as more grunge and aggressive. Softer songs aren’t Threaded’s strong suit – it was fun to do a song like ‘Circles’ that is more delicate and reminds me of how Whirr approaches the genre.” Strayline serves as a creative project that allows Flasik to experiment beyond genres, often collabing with other artists such as a local metal vocalist Austin Miller, and drummer Jovan Macias of Chlorine Eyes.
Flasik’s inspiration comes from a mix of metalcore artists like (old) Parkway Drive, The Devil Wears Prada, and I Killed The Prom Queen, to softer artists like Nothing, Trauma Ray, and Narrow Head. These influences can be reflected in his songwriting and lyricism. “I tend to look introspectively. . . The singer from Parkway Drive said something. . . about being so young and trying not to sound cheesy, so they would be cryptic. . . and that has always stuck with me. I like the somewhat cryptic lyric style so that someone else might be able to apply their own meaning or a slightly different interpretation than my own.”
Strayline is often the first band I recommend when people ask me for shoegaze recommendations — and for a good reason. Flasik’s third and most recent album, ‘Lustre,’ was put out on November 28th. This short, seven-track record is only 25 minutes long, but it holds so much good music. While ‘II’ is still my favorite album, instrumentally, ‘Lustre’ has incredible vocals, a softer and cleaner sound to it, and features more technical bass guitar than previous albums.
Artist: ___gauze
My Favorite Songs: ‘joules,’ and ‘SILVER’
Beginning as a couple members left over from the band ‘Mahaugane’ when it disbanded, ___gauze picked up a few more members and began to play shoegaze. Now, the band consists of Huey Mantra on drums, Mykah and Joe Villa on guitar, Cole Line on Bass, and Mākena with vocals.
Coming from the island of Maui, the tight-knit scene there allows for a space for people to have fun and get their energy out at shows. “It’s beautiful, truly,” stated Mantra. “Everyone is there to enjoy each other’s company, listen to a kind of music that’s overlooked on the islands here, and more importantly, make sure everyone’s safe.”
They take inspiration from bands like Nothing, Trauma Ray, and TAGABOW. With goals to become big enough to sustain themselves and open for those bands, it’s worth it to give ___gauze a listen and keep an eye out for a new album in the upcoming months!
Artist: heaven // alone
My Favorite Songs: ‘cognitive decline,’ ‘exonerate,’ and ‘canvas’
Coming from the Perth, Australia, scene in 2023, the band consists of five members: Nathan Wolfenden on drums, Eric Stewart and Jon Flynn on guitar, Callen Vandenhelm on bass, and Jayden King with vocals. So far, they have mostly opened for small, local bands, but have worked their way up to playing alongside bands like Landmvrks, Paledusk, Windwaker, and Of Virtue.
Out of the four bands listed, heaven // alone is the heaviest. They tend to have a more alt-rock sound, incorporating both metal and shoegaze elements. With six releases and four out of six instrumental versions out, their songs have yet to disappoint. Their heavy yet atmospheric instruments and lyrics with incredible imagery make them a band that sticks out from the rest — making them a very worthwhile listen!
Taryn Walters | Music and Arts Reporter