On Tuesday, September 17, Foxing will kick off their US tour in support of their fifth and latest album, an explosive self-titled collection of art-rock drawing on everything from introspective emo to chaotic screamo. But rather than letting each venue they play across the 32-stop tour choose the opening band, they took the LinkedIn approach and opened applications for each gig.
And because there were far more than 32 artists qualified to fill the role, we asked the band’s newest full-time member Brett Torrence to open up the multiverse and share a few words about their favorite runners-up in every city. Find his words below, and check out the full list of tour dates here.
A few month’s back, here in the Foxing camp we had an idea to hand-pick a band in each city that we visit on our upcoming tour with From Indian Lakes to play with us and open the show. The idea itself stuck because (1) There is a hell of a lot of good music out there that we don’t know about, (2) We wanted to connect to the different scenes that that music is coming out of, and (3) When it comes to having local bands on a bill, it’s typically up to the promoter to find that artist. And no shame to this method, because it’s a tried and true one, but we wanted this one to feel more personal. We decided the best way to go about this would be to have bands submit themselves for the city they wanted to play, because that seemed like the easiest way to discover musicians we wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to. What we got were around 800 artists in our emails with links to their music.
Listen, we knew we’d be getting in a little over our heads by asking for this, but to say we were overwhelmed would be an understatement. What followed was weeks of sorting through emails and copy-pasting hundreds of links to Spotifys and Bandcamps and SoundClouds into a giant Google Doc to ensure that no one was left unheard. And after that came simply just listening to everyone, which was the most fun part of this whole ordeal. The downside to this is that there’s only 32 shows to this whole tour, which is a significantly smaller number than the amount of bands that we listened to. While we love everyone that’s going to join us on these upcoming dates, sometimes it was hard to pick just one artist for a city. So we wanted to take a second to highlight some of the other musicians that we loved along the way.
Now, just to preface before I get into it: I recognize that some of these artists are from surrounding areas from the shows they submitted for, but I still feel like that can constitute as being part of that scene. And their music’s good, so I’m not going to stress about it too much. Also, I’m not a music writer, sorry! OK!
Nashville, TN: Khamsin
Weaving guitars and a rhythm section with some cut, Khamsin has a sweet blend of post-hardcore and indie sensibilities that scratches the same itch for me that bands like Circa Survive do.
Louisville, KY: Crop Rot
I unfortunately haven’t gotten to spend much time in Louisville, but Crop Rot gives me faith that I’ll have a great time whenever I go visit. I popped open the link, laughed when I saw a song titled “Dog Shit,” and then said “Hell yeah” 20 seconds into it.
Detroit, MI: Vagabonds
My love for the Midwest has always been reinforced by the fact that Michigan feels like it’s a powerhouse of multiple music scenes across the state. I’ve known Luke Dean and their project Vagabonds to be one of the many forces behind this. The sweet guitars and sincerity in the songwriting has Vagabonds feeling like a pretty crucial autumn listen.
Cleveland, OH: Dear Messenger
Easily one of my favorite submissions. Did the video win me over? Totally. Did the riffs help? Totally.
Columbus, OH: Six Flags Guy
Six Flags Guy feels like a band about diverting expectations—first with their name, and then with their music. “Work Song” felt like traveling between Limp Bizkit and Slint, which isn’t a sentence I thought I’d type, but it’s cool they made me do it.
Milwaukee, WI: Superglue
Take a moment out of your day to listen to the triumphant, whammy-infused guitar solo in this track.
St. Paul, MN: Estuary
Percussive, melodic, soft, and even experimental, Estuary feels like finding a hidden gem and was a real joy to listen to.
Omaha, NE: The Ivory Claws
This song alternates between something brisk to something thick and heavy, and for a while just straight ambiance. The Ivory Claws are self-described as “space rock,” and this song tells me that I can’t disagree.
Denver, CO: Tender Object
Tender Object is the type of egg-punk that makes you wanna bounce off the walls. From my understanding, they’re in the process of making a new record with a bit of a lineup change, so hang tight, Denver.
Salt Lake City, UT: Sunfish
“Sexy” and “Utah” aren’t two words I often think of together, but Sunfish is making me reconsider that. The guitar (?) lick at 0:27 is something I can tell has already altered how I think about creating a lead.
Boise, ID: Amoeba Arena
Sometimes I think it’s easy for a band to lose a sense of melody while being notey and tappy, but Amoeba Arena is definitely not one of those bands. It reminds me a lot of when I first discovered Algernon Cadwallader.
Portland, OR: MAITA
An incredible voice with the songwriting chops to match, MAITA is the type of artist I feel like I should’ve listened to long before this—but I’m glad I’m able to now.
Seattle, WA: Clif
One of my personal favorite submissions. The back-to-back listens of “in a rosary” and “around my head” really showcases their versatility between creating something quiet and intimate, and something bright and fun.
San Francisco, CA: Wander
Wander had me listening to a nine-minute song without even realizing its length. A soaring post-rock band for lovers of the likes of Explosions in the Sky.
Los Angeles, CA: brodyn
The track “You’re Okay” seems like a natural byproduct when you’re from a place as beautiful as California. Windows-down type beat.
San Diego, CA: Cling Ring
I love this bouncy track. I love the wall of noise that hits you right when you think you can wrap your head around the song. It’s like listening to the music from an underwater level of a video game, but it’s through blown-out speakers. This is one of the highest compliments I can think of.
Mesa, AZ: Dreamcast
Grungy and thick, chunking guitars make these guys a fun listen. I don’t know how the hell they got away with claiming the name Dreamcast, but it rules they did.
El Paso, TX: Big Cinnamon
Based off their handful of SoundCloud demos, Big Cinnamon sounds jammy, folky, and playful. Really, though, I get the impression that they’re fun to make music with—and that’s the spirit of this whole thing, and I hope to hear more from them down the line.
Albuquerque, NM: Ghostwood Estates
I feel like I’m wrapped in a blanket listening to these Ghostwood Estates songs. They label themselves as “Southwest Shoegaze” and their tones deliver.
Austin, TX: Rookie Park
Austin has no shortage of good music, and Rookie Park is another artist to add to that list. Additionally, they’re a part of Tiny Sounds, a DIY booking collective helping to spotlight other artists throughout the Austin area. That rules.
Dallas, TX: Steven Leftovers
Steven Leftovers has a softness about them that’s full of homemade charm. I think that’s what it is about “Use All I Have” that has me coming back to it.
Houston, TX: Max Diaz
Straight from their Spotify description: “spawned from the depths of Texas’ scum infested waters, Max Diaz is the rock mockery with a perception melded within realism & nihilsm.” I haven’t quite placed where the character of Max Diaz begins and ends, but the riffs and the energy tells me that distinction doesn’t really matter. This fucks.
Atlanta, GA: Kid Fears
I had the pleasure of seeing Kid Fears at the Masquerade when I came through Atlanta with Conor’s band, Smidley. “Say” has been a regular listen of mine since. The chorus just sticks with you.
Orlando, FL: Movie Props
One thing I appreciate is when I can’t tell where a song is taking me, and Movie Props does just that with one of the most frantic tracks I listened to in this whole process. Very, very cool.
Carrboro, NC: blankstate.
If blankstate. is any indicator, the emo scene in North Carolina is alive and well, and I couldn’t be more stoked.
Washington DC: GLOSSER
Dreamy enough to get lost in it and dance-y when it counts, GLOSSER knows how to create quality synth pop.
Hamden, CT: Halo Bite
Halo Bite has me sold. The interplay on “Love Lighter” between the vacuum-sealed-tight rhythm section and swirling guitar made me immediately add it to my “Liked” songs.
Boston, MA: Hyber
Hyber brings you power-pop with confidence. Also, it brought me a bass tone to take notes from.
New York, NY: Royal Blush
This band is pure candy to me. Royal Blush takes notes from the likes of Cocteau Twins on creating an atmosphere, but aren’t afraid to rip a bit on guitar from time to time.
Philadelphia, PA: Skeever
When I listened to “Paris, Texas” my headphones rumbled—and for that, you should listen to it too.
Chicago, IL: OK Cool
Plucky guitars and an affinity for a strong hook. I was able to see OK Cool play Beat Kitchen a couple months back, and I’d do it all over again if I could.
St. Louis, MO: Little Cowboy
Little Cowboy has been a part of the St. Louis music scene for years, and we’re thankful for it as their indie songwriting craft has only gotten better with time.
And while I’m here, I can talk about the St. Louis music for hours, because it’s the greatest city in the world and it’s a scene the four of us have all been a part of. And I will. Kids put out the post-punk collage REPETITIOM VARIATIOM earlier this year. Yuppy continues to make wired and weird guitar music. The Mall is bringing synth-punk across the world, and they’re touring as I type this. Our electronic underground is thriving because of the likes of Manapool, Umami, Shinra Knives, and others. Please let me yap your ear off about St. Louis.
