The Most Important Musicians in the New Age of Shoegaze
Written by Rita Jenner
Following the return of ‘80s Irish experimental rock band My Bloody Valentine to the contemporary music scene in 2017, the sonic limelight once again shines on the alternative rock genre of shoegaze.
Alongside bands like Slowdive, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine took the sound of late ‘80s pop and furiously collided it with the then-emerging sounds of early ‘90s grunge and alternative rock. Seemingly obsessed with the vintage effects pedals needed to create the distorted and dreamy riffs that have characterized the genre, the effects-hogging guitar players of these bands gave the genre its name.
And as these effects have evolved alongside the genres of pop and alternative rock, so has shoegaze expanded into the new age of music, recruiting a new generation of guitar and songwriting prodigies.
Ringo Deathstarr
Austin, Texas-based band Ringo Deathstarr is without a doubt the most important name in shoegaze today. Out of any band that can be categorized under shoegaze, they’re the ones who are closest to the original genre’s sound and intent of pushing the potential of ‘80s pop rock, noise pop, and ‘90s alternative rock. Despite this, in a 2016 interview with Slug Mag, Ringo Deathstarr frontman Elliot Frazier explained that the band has had much better success abroad, describing how the Japanese in particular are massive fans of their band. “They never cease to amaze us. They give us the most amazing gifts. I was given a fuzz pedal that is a triangle big muff clone.” Frazier is referring to the Electro Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Pi pedal, a classic effects unit from the ‘60s which played a huge part in defining the early shoegaze sound. “We are immortalized on limited edition collectible stickers. We have an eight page feature in a guitar magazine. In the USA, we are still playing to 10 people in some towns.” And while Ringo Deathstarr has since toured around cities in the U.S., contemporary shoegaze remains a niche interest to modern music fans.
Cedric Noel
Meanwhile, further under the mainstream radar, shoegaze is thriving in the underground. Known for his evocative songwriting, Montreal-based singer-guitarist Cedric Noel creates new songs that echo the sensibilities of early British shoegaze, complete with introspective stories, a mastery of distortion effects, and an immaculate control of harmonic feedback.
Gulfer
But if you want a glimpse of shoegaze’s evolution towards punk and post-rock, check out fellow Montreal group Gulfer, whose shifting tonal dynamics actually make use of a comparatively minimal pedal and effects set-up. On the other end of the spectrum, singer Lauren Lakis’ romantic optimism and drifting melodies pulls contemporary shoegaze more towards its dream pop’s roots. Given the wide adaptability of shoegaze as a genre and the blurring of lines between the most prominent genres today, some argue that many of the biggest names in contemporary alternative rock also fall within its purview.
St. Vincent
St. Vincent also known as Annie Clark, is untouchable when it comes to pushing the boundaries of pop rock. And apart from being an effects pedal master herself, she’s even designed the ergonomic Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent Signature Guitar, which is practically designed for shoegazers.
Deaftones
Meanwhile, although the band Deftones made its bones in the early nu metal scene, their sound has clearly evolved into what can be described as post-shoegaze, as the band treads multiple genres in their evolving brand of alternative rock. The same can be said of Team Sleep, a heavier-sounding and more alternative post-rock outfit led by members of Deftones.
Whether a band can or can’t be considered shoegaze is a never-ending debate. What’s clear is that the genre is very much alive and continues to evolve alongside the technologies and genres that have laid its foundations.
The new age of shoegaze is just beginning.
By Rita Jenner
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