Soft Blue Shimmer/Keep/Trembler/Viewfinder

Soft Blue Shimmer (SFV, CA)

https://www.instagram.com/softblueshimmer/

https://twitter.com/softblueshimmer

https://www.facebook.com/softblueshimmer

https://softblueshimmer.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZclZsMoBdRY9MJw6l47Fx?si=kkbRsGtjSGW06W502lJCOg

Three people concerned with turning their feelings, dreams, and memories into noise— Meredith Ramond, Kenzo Cardenas, and Charlie Crowley write ethereal and frenetic music about complex emotions and feelings. The San Fernando Valley based group Soft Blue Shimmer released their first EP, “Nothing Happens Here” (2019), and their first LP, “Heaven Inches Away” (2020), in the USA through Disposable America and in Japan through Galaxy Train. Their second LP, “Love Lives in the Body”, was released worldwide in November 2022 via Other People Records. All of their releases have been recorded and produced by Corey Coffman in Loveland, CO. The trio always aims to write meaningful music, raw with emotion and nostalgia, seen through a cinematic lense in their heads—songs exactly like they dreamed them: fuzzy then soft, washing over you, and disappearing. Hopefully you are left reflective, but also filled with hope and determination.

Keep (Richmond, VA)

https://www.keep.band/

https://www.instagram.com/keepva/

https://twitter.com/KeepVA

https://www.facebook.com/Keepva/

https://keepva.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oPLf7tpRZAVZMHWA0Nu7W?si=e73s7JKAQ6WZmDtVdj_dLA

Keep is an alternative rock band from Richmond, VA formed in 2013.They draw heavy inspiration from the shoegaze and grunge sounds of the 90’s, post-2000 indie, and add just a dash of 80’s goth and art rock sensibility. While that may sound a bit like an alphabet soup of influences, Keep’s brilliance lies in their ability to seamlessly blend myriad sounds into something that feels surpassingly cohesive. A riff may conjure Starflyer 59, Hum or Swervedriver. A melody might evoke The Cure or Cocteau Twins. The mood may call Low or Bowery Electric to mind. But while Keep may momentarily remind you of any number of artists you love, “Happy In Here” always feels like something unique that you’re hearing for the first time. 

Trembler (Houston, TX)

https://www.instagram.com/tremblerband/

https://twitter.com/Tremblerband

https://www.facebook.com/TremblerHTX/

https://tremblerhtx.bandcamp.com/album/folding

https://open.spotify.com/artist/39cuaKdB7ahAIbHcPiDkVI?si=IBF7fwMnS3y3eTKHzia8pA

Released at the end of 2022, “Folding” is the sophomore LP from Houston alternative-rock band, Trembler. With the help of producer Corey Coffman (Gleemer), the band was able to reinvent their sound on “Folding”. While the band focused on indie/emo music on their debut, “Folding” finds Trembler vastly expanding their soundscape—leaning both heavy and soft in the realm of alternative rock.

There’s an introduction of many atmospheric layers and noisy guitars that pair perfectly with solemnly catchy vocal melodies and introspective lyrics from vocalist Luke Gonzales. Trembler is creating a unique sound in this genre in 2023—with songs that get stuck in your head and pass quickly, due to the bands’ attentive sequencing and sharp songwriting.

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