BAY FACTION
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Bay Faction was a Boston-based three-piece indie rock band known for their self-titled debut record, which gained a cult following. The band formed in 2013 after James McDermott posted in a Massachusetts musicians group seeking bandmates, and the first two responses came from Kris Roman and a previous member. They released a self-titled eight-track EP in 2015, which became a favorite among Reddit’s emo subreddit. Following a hiatus from 2020-2024, Bay Faction returned with a new single, “Drive Home”.
KEEP
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Keep is a band from Richmond, VA that was formed in 2013. They are heavily influenced by the likes of The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Slowdive, but that only scratches the surface. In a review of their second album, Happy In Here, it is stated that “even with these comparisons and any accuracy they could possess, Keep are a band that’s not only cut their own sort of path, but have become quite seasoned at it.” Their music has spanned a number of genres over the years, but most often falls under the banner of shoegaze. Regardless of specific distinctions, Keep sits firmly in the web of alternative rock music. Audiotree aptly described the sound as “grand and majestic”, adding that it is “ensconced in an all consuming mist of heavy noise.”
Keep is a band that is tried and true. With over ten years of experience, three albums, a host of EP’s, and countless tours (both stateside and abroad) under their belt, they are only just hitting their stride. Almost Static will be the defining Keep record, as the many influences that the band has historically displayed are pieced together in a more seamless manner than they’ve ever been. Additionally, the band branches into new territory on tracks like “Smile Down (Into Nothing),” “Bermuda,” and “Almost Static.”
