Pittsburgh shoegaze band Weird Era makes a bold first impression with their debut EP Shrine. It’s a raw, distortion-laced release fueled by a strong DIY spirit and creative chemistry. Shrine is more than just a sonic experience. It’s a product of close friendships, spontaneous songwriting, and a clear love for their local scene. In our interview, the band opens up about capturing lightning-in-a-bottle moments, embracing vulnerability in lyrics, and why they don’t see their music as a business. Plus, they shout out some of Pittsburgh’s most exciting indie acts.

Philly punk band Nympho will make you hit the pit with their debut EP Honk If You’re Horny. In our profile, we talk with Nympho about their origin story, Real Housewives, their objective to sound worse and forming on Easter Sunday.

On her debut EP Over the Forest, artist and composer Loïs de Vries, known as Lo, explores the idea of “mystical pop” — a genre she describes as emotional, atmospheric, and rooted in experimentation. Across the release, Lo crafts a sonic world that is both soothing and strange, using sparse instrumentation and layered vocal harmonies to evoke introspection and possibility. In our interview, she discusses the healing nature of music, the influence of her musical family, and overcoming self-doubt in the creative process. Read our conversation.

Hannah Frey's second full-length album Lucky Girl is a heartfelt tribute to her life-changing move to Chicago in 2021. She found a thriving, supportive indie music community there that influenced her artistry. Recorded live with her band, the album captures the joy of collaboration and the magic of a city that promotes creativity. Frey draws inspiration from strong female songwriters, blending introspective lyrics with a communal spirit. Learn more about Hannah Frey as we discuss recording highlights, vulnerability in songwriting, the records that shaped her musical taste and more.

STIGMATA is a sonic journey of healing, resilience, and self-expression. On their debut album, Seattle’s FEM du lit (Francesca Eluhu of Day Soul Exquisite) crafts a world where R&B, alternative, and electronic textures collide—unraveling the emotional weight of identity, judgment, and survival. We spoke with FEM du lit about the sound of STIGMATA, musical influences, and the power of music as a healing mechanism.