Not everyone knows where the Republic of Mari El is, and what shoegaze has to do with a dying language that is protected by UNESCO. But for the musicians behind the ethno-shoegaze project Lugovye Mari, merging massive walls of guitar feedback with this ancient folklore is a matter of cultural survival.

Tracing the journey from local basements to global shoegaze playlists, here are 10 essential bands defining the modern Russian shoegaze landscape.