Dear Maryanne / Arcadia Grey / See Through Person / Pretty Bitter
Dear Maryanne
Dear Maryanne is a midwest emo band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2021, the band consists of three members: Freddy Loeb (vocals, guitar), Daniel Yelin (bass, vocals), and Daniel Charrier (drums). Dear Maryanne's music is influenced by artists such as Mom Jeans, Marietta, La Dispute, and Free Throw – emphasizing on noodly guitar riffs and hyper-specific, yet, universally relatable lyrics.
Arcadia Grey
In terms of genre around DIY you can find a lot of crunched together labels thrown all around. The fabled “bubblegrunge” and “sparklepunk” subsections while fun for its era don’t quite translate into today’s scope of things. Of the acts around that scene, is midwest sweethearts, Arcadia Grey. The staple for hanging with your pals, this band never falls short in serving their purpose of having pure, unadulterated fun. The Chicago natives started to gain traction after their debut LP, “Konami Code”, in 2019. Detailed conflict towards your ex-partner from college, the rough conversation of maybe getting back together with that one person you left off on a bad foot with, and ultimately wanting that person you go to concerts with. It’s no doubt this hit a lot of resonance to people around that time. As of what this bunch has been up to recently, their 2024 release, “Casually Crashing”, was something of amazement. Singles that make you dance like a fool, and main tracks that will hit deep for those experiencing complications with gender dysphoria. Homing in their craft and bettering what was already good, Casually Crashing was one of standouts of a very stacked year. Queer punk at its best, Arcadia Grey is for everyone that’s willing to have a good time. Jump up and lose yourself to their antic-filled sets because that’s what it’s all about. What Nat, Cora, and Coop have crafted over their time together can’t be replicated and will be cherished for years.
See Through Person
“see through person” is an alternative emo band based out of Detroit, MI. The band’s members include Robin Mikan (guitar, vocals) Nikolas Kulpanowski (bass guitar), and Jacob Hanlon (drums). The band's 2024 lp, every way of living, demonstrates a raw, aggressive effort, offering fans of emo and post-rock a deep connection to their one of a kind sound. Their live performances are a captivating experience, where technical guitars and relentless drums create an ambience that is both intense and yet, vulnerable.
Pretty Bitter
Mainstays of the D.C. DIY scene, Pretty Bitter live up to their name. Masters of all kinds of dissonance, they juxtapose stories of haunting and heartbreak with dazzling pop-rock arrangements. Pretty Bitter makes music that gets the emo kids dancing. They’re unafraid to infuse their blistering breakdowns with hits of disco and synthpop—and that’s exactly what they’ve done on Pleaser, their sophomore album, co-produced by Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It., Pet Symmetry) and Simon Small (Strawberry Boy) and out July 25th, 2025 via cult favorite indie label Tiny Engines. Following a string of ethereal singles, their 2022 debut Hinges formally introduced Pretty Bitter and their dreampunk to a rapidly growing audience. Fearlessly led by Mel Bleker and sharing studio and touring members with D.C. punk all-stars Ekko Astral, Pretty Bitter has been embraced by DIY fans far and wide. On Pleaser, Pretty Bitter have amped up the drama of their lush arrangements—a match made in heaven for the emotional ferocity of Bleker’s lyricism. Their observational, heart-on-sleeve songwriting is as effortless as their fluttering between the jangly, dreamy inclinations of rock, pop, and folk. Pleaser is a triumph, an instantly loveable record that reveals just how bright Pretty Bitter’s future is.
