In September 2024, when The Sophs’ singer, Ethan Ramon, cold emailed Rough Trade’s Geoff Travis a demo reel including “SWEAT,” he didn’t expect a response. Before the end of the year, the band was signed. Now, the Los Angeles indie rock outfit makes a striking debut with the track—a woozy, driving anthem with urgently vulnerable vocals that builds to a powerful crescendo, echoing the spirit of acts like The Strokes and Weezer. With an LA residency kicking off in May, a New York debut in August, and confirmed festival appearances across the UK and EU, The Sophs are quickly emerging as a bold new voice in alternative music.

SUNDRESSED Living on such a chaotic planet, tossing and turning is inevitable. It’s hard to sleep in the midst of uncertainty. That’s why Sundressed was born. Lead vocalist and songwriter Trevor Hedges began his project in 2012, with the initial purpose of maintaining his sobriety. Now, Hedges has refocused the project’s mission, writing songs that tackle mental health issues for others to take solace in. His confessional lyrics and punk-infused melodies inspire hope in listeners to continue moving forward. With the addition of AJ Peacox (guitar), Vic Chan (drums), Matthew Graham and Justin Portillo, Sundressed has never sounded better. With new music produced by Mike Pepe dropping on Rude Records this year, the band is determined to make a positive impact, one lyric at a time.