SEKO
BAND DISCOVERED
Most likely thanks to the whole Milly bubble, I stumbled upon the band Seko. A bittersweet consolation, considering that Milly recently called it quits. Milly singer Brendan Dyer plays drums in Seko, and the sound of the band around Justice Vaughn Ott treads similar ground to Milly. The trio is completed by bassist Marlon Mara LeNoble. The newly released EP Seko 1000 sounds absolutely spot-on to my ears. Extended riffs, a grunge attitude, and a shoegazing touch – the band’s style and the sound simply fit my listening habits perfectly.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
fuzzy | raw | introspective
BESIDES THAT
The band has pressed an initial run of just 200 copies on vinyl. One of the best things about small bands is how easy and personal the communication is. Right now, I’m in touch with Justice to figure out how we can get a copy of the record over to Germany. Fingers crossed that we can make it happen.
WISH
More attention, more success, and even more records. And someday, a tour with a stop in Cologne – joking. But all wishful thinking aside: I simply hope the band gets seen.
MYVERONICA
BAND DISCOVERED
I’m part of Generation X, and growing up as a teenager in the early ’90s – right in the middle of the grunge and post-grunge explosion – left a lasting mark on me. So whenever I discover new bands like MyVeronica, thanks to Sunday Drive Records, I’m instantly hit with a warm sense of nostalgia. This is exactly the kind of music I want to sink into and lose myself in. Sick Sad World is the first taste of their upcoming album, I Hope There’s Music In Heaven, out on October 18, 2026.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
The song’s tempo and dynamic shift around the 1:30 mark works beautifully.
FAVORITE LYRIC LINE
Search for something I know / I won’t ever find / I would like to believe / I will find a way / To keep you by my side
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
melancholic | cathartic | introspective
BESIDES THAT
I pre-ordered the album without hearing it first. Here’s the pre-order link: MyVeronica – I Hope There’s Music In Heaven
WISH
Of course, seeing them live.
PILEUP
BAND DISCOVERED
After discovering Flesh And Bone Records through Greet Death and Seth Beck, I decided to dive into the label’s back catalog and give some of its releases a listen. I have to admit, not many of them were familiar to me. But that’s hardly surprising when you’re based in Cologne and exploring the output of a small do-it-together independent label from Chicago.
So I started clicking my way through the catalog, initially making the admittedly superficial decision of judging records by their cover art. That’s how I ended up with Pileup and their second full-length, Leave The Light On, released on cassette in collaboration with Pleasure Tapes Ltd.
From the opening moments of „Chain“ and the follow-up „Lightning,“ I was completely hooked. This is exactly my kind of record. Even though the second half slows things down a bit and occasionally drifts into more sentimental territory, I thoroughly enjoy what this Portland-based band brings to the table. It’s straightforward indie (slow)rock with a handful of unexpected twists, delivered with complete confidence and an effortless sense of ease. Pacific Northwest at its finest.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
raw | introspective | unpretentious
BESIDES THAT
The instrumental outpouring in No Pyre, No Remembrance which sets a poem by vocalist Nathan Urbach to music before flowing seamlessly into the minimalistic Lying In The Road is a defining moment. Plus the haunting Omen On the Rail with its hypnotically monotone vocal delivery, draws me in deeper with every listen.
WISH
Maybe someday there will be a vinyl available.
SETH BECK
ARTIST DISCOVERED
As a huge fan of Greet Death, I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I only recently discovered bassist Seth Beck’s solo work. How did I miss this? Soft Heaven is already his third album, released in 2025, though so far it’s only been available digitally or on cassette via Flesh and Bone Records. Songs like CRV, MATMTU, and Passenger Seat had me completely captivated from the very first listen. Such beautiful, understated music that found its way straight to my heart.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
The calmness that runs through most of these songs is incredibly moving. The entire album feels remarkably cohesive and perfectly captures a reflective mood – one you have to be willing to embrace.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
introspective | melancholic | understated
BESIDES THAT
His 2023 album Entertainment Center is another outstanding release – and thankfully, it’s available on vinyl. I still have to dive into his debut, June, from 2019.
HORSE
BAND DISCOVERED
When I discovered the Australian band Stirr at the beginning of the year, the internet also served up another band for my playlists: horse. Their debut EP Ask Me Again Next Year will be released digitally on July 10. Drawing heavily from UK-inspired post-punk, all of the singles released so far sound remarkably sophisticated and genuinely impressive. The older tracks Blight, The Gap and Headlights, along with the latest single Under Your Sun, have all found a regular spot in my listening rotation.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
post-punk driven | substantive | raw
WISH
Of course, I’d love to catch this band live at some point. We’ll see if it ever happens.
TUFFIE
BAND DISCOVERED
Once again, Sunday Drive Records has done an outstanding job. At this point, I seem to be completely under this label’s spell. Minneapolis outfit Tuffie released their self-titled debut EP last Tuesday, following the advance single Eraser, which impressed across the board. The result is driving, highly energetic alternative emo packed with intensity and punch.
FAVORITE LYRIC LINE
„Rearrange the room again I / Still can’t erase the mark you left here / Walk around and let it sink in / Nothing’s the same and it never will be“ from Eraser
„Undercover pixel lover / Meet me halfway / Liminal minimal lover / Don’t be that way / Shotgun in my bag / I guess I know I’ll use it“ from Landline, shotgun
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
driven | emotional | cathartic | grungy
BESIDES THAT
You can pre-order Tuffie’s EP HERE. The physical release is scheduled for early September.
WISH
Best of luck – and may the right connections come along so that Tuffie eventually makes it over to Europe.
