An Introduction to Philly Shoegaze
- Angie Pino
- Aug 7
- 5 min read
Historically essential and culturally rich, Pennsylvania is home to one of the biggest alternative music scenes in the U.S.—and if we're going to talk about shoegaze, this is the place to start. In every playlist and on every record shelf, all of the bands that come to mind when you think about the genre originated here. They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Nothing, Feeble Little Horse—the list goes on for days. Although technically not all the bands are from Philadelphia, "Philly shoegaze" has become an umbrella term for acts from the whole Pennsylvania area. While they all have roots in the same regional soil, each of these bands branches out into different subgenres, making their essence difficult to replicate.
From the roughest textures to the silkiest voices, they all have one thing in common: a feeling of despair and uncertainty that originates from within. It's something you're only able to experience once you've walked down the same hallway long enough. Case in point, Philadelphia is also known for being one of the most substance-ravaged cities in the U.S., and one of the things that makes the Philly scene unique is that it separates superficial art from lived experience. Dominick Palermo (Nothing) talks about this phenomenon in an earlier interview for Tape Wounds: "So there's just an energy there. It's like kind of the same energy that a house has after there's been a murder inside of it, you know what I mean? That's the kind of feeling it has there. And you don't shake that. I think people just carry that energy in the family—it's there."
To actually experience the insights and intimacy of Philly shoegaze, you have to engage with the conflicted nature of life. These are just SOME of the bands proving this music is built on much more than simple chords and long strums. Consider this your introduction to the classic Philly shoegaze sound, and a gateway into the modern, contemporary, and experimental variations of the genre.
Four people, one fuzzy-noise musical project. The band formed in 2015 and started out with more of an indie-rock sound—one that evolved into classic shoegaze before gradually incorporating modern elements that placed them high on the computer-pop spectrum. Following the trend of blending EDM influences into more traditional genres, their poppy synth work complements the rougher elements of shoegaze, making their repertoire unique.
With the release of their single "Piled Up" in 2020, the band barged into the Pennsylvania shoegaze scene and made it clear they were here to stay. Characterized by their ghostlike, eerie sound, Her New Knife has shared the stage with bands such as TAGABOW, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Cashier, and julie. Along with their heavier tunings and faster rhythms, they're also known for honoring their cultural roots with lyrics in languages other than English, making their music feel naturally inclusive.
They introduced themselves to the world in 2017 with their EP No Funeral. Their songs fall under a tamer category, with soft melodies and ballad-like songwriting as their specialty. However, they also dabble with sharper sounds rather than dense walls of fuzz, complemented by the melancholy of the lead singer’s voice. With the release of their album Pearlty in 2019, they changed the trajectory of their career and slowly became an essential addition to every modern shoegaze playlist.
After releasing their first single "Strawberry Blonde" in 2021, they dove straight into their debut album Murmur. Although their previous music releases leaned heavily into classic shoegaze, their recent EP sckpnch shows how their sound has evolved into a more upbeat brand of fuzz with an indie edge. Clearer vocals and faster cadence make Doused one of the most promising musical projects in the Pennsylvania scene.
Their sound is primarily characterized by a strong incorporation of techno-adjacent elements. Their first musical release is the collaborative EP EPCOT, featuring Hooky, TAGABOW, and Casper Mcfadden. This was followed by their debut EP infinite signature, released in 2023, where they experimented with different modulations and resonant textures. Although the hybridization of EDM and shoegaze has become increasingly popular, the band’s synth work is distinctly their own. Their latest album 2020initialsequence2022 strikes the perfect balance between instrumentals and technology.
The release of their first singles "Wade," "Embers," and "Swell" in 2020 immediately put them on the radar. They have shared the stage with well-known bands like All Under Haven, Doused, and Bleary Eyed. Their discography’s atmosphere is murky and incorporates sharp bursts of distortion that make each song’s ambiance feel almost uncanny. Their dark melodies are accompanied by hazy vocals that nearly blend into the background. Their most recent release Forever, unveiled to the public on May 1st, 2026, is a nine-track album that showcases a more mature sound and well-constructed instrumentals.
This power trio made their official debut in 2016 with their EP I Don’t Want To Die Tonight. However, it is their latest album, Darker Days, that has catapulted them onto many "Bands to Watch" lists. Released in 2023, the record shifted their sound toward a riff-oriented kind of shoegaze that incorporated synth work as well as classic fuzz. Their music draws inspiration from bands like HUM and Nothing, and they have shared the stage with Bloodsports and Doused.
The band released their debut single, “Wait,” in 2021, a funky ballad for fans of Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. After taking a five-year break, they announced their comeback by jumping straight into their EP daylight savings. They released their debut album, Slow Motion, in 2025, an eleven-track record filled with dreamy atmospheres and bouncy loops. In March 2026, they released an extended version of their first EP, this time titled colour wheel, which, according to the band, is a project that reverts to the spirit of the bedroom project on which Cigarettes for Breakfast was originally founded. Whiteford created these songs while experimenting with reverse effects, tape speed, and other recording and production tricks that live in the more psychedelic realms of shoegaze and dream pop.
While these bands are among the most popular, there are countless others worth highlighting. halloween, SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, the place lives, Jet Fuel Soda, and blue smiley are just a few of them. The beauty of the Philly scene—and of most local scenes in general—is that they're defined by underground artists that play for a smaller crowd while being some of the most impressive acts of the night. Lesser-known bands that pour an incredible amount of soul into their work, making every trip to a local venue well worth it.
Written by Angie Pino.
Angie Pino is an aspiring Journalist from Ecuador living in New Jersey. She is currently pursuing music journalism and her work has been published by Comfort Crowd Magazine and Tape Wounds Magazine.
Comments