There is something very likable about Slothbear, even in addition to their name. Their sound recalls the best parts of vintage college-rock, which is presented with clarity through the band’s surprisingly adept methods of self-production. The feel of restraint that is often associated with home recordings is absent on Slothbear’s debut EP Qids, and instead a feeling of spontaneity is present that in every way recalls something nostalgic for the 20-something crowd. The band’s four members, who are just that, are four good friends based out of Long Island. Their demeanor at this point is wonderfully playful and in no way indicative of a band with unharnessed ambition, joking that “they hope to get a 9.2 on Pitchfork” for the reason of not having to go back to Stony Brook University in the fall. This is humorous enough and probably said tongue-in-cheek, but it is also a rather apt depiction of the general thought process for college-aged bands on the heels of a debut they were very dedicated to. In the case of a release like Qids, where the band’s ferocity and prevalent melodic abilities are on display, one could easily see why they would rather pursue a musical career for the time being instead of sitting in lecture halls. Unlike many other groups in their vein, they actually have a legitimate case for the pursuit. -Mike Mineo

My Captain My Sea Is a four piece instrumental post-rock band from Pittsburgh, Pa

Alcian is a four piece instrumental band from New York City that produces cinematic soundscapes.

Hailing from New York, Discipline Theory mixes elements of metal, industrial & synth rock into a cohesive Heavy Rock sound that’s aggressive & sometimes danceable.

Teetering somewhere between hard rock and industrial metal the band has combined varying styles of music to form their own sound. Ed·Die’s background as a drummer is the groundwork for the band’s eclectic beats which mix hard n’ heavy rock beats with Latin and dance styled percussion. Jose blends his influences of riff oriented rock with brooding metal aggression and gives the Discipline Theory its harshness.