Arkata - Discography (2000-2003)

    Arkata was a screamo/post-hardcore band from Toronto, Ontario. It's difficult to pin down Arkata’s sound as it was an amalgamation of influences that evolved and expanded with each release. That being said, I've really enjoyed everything I have listened to and I am shocked that I didn't catch on to these guys earlier. Their style could be loosely compared to bands like Four Hundred Years and Anasarca, as well as mixing in elements of heavier bands like Botch and Converge.

    Despite being around during the early oughts, there is very much clear inspiration in Arkata's music from the screamo/hardcore scene of the mid-90s. Mixing dissonant, eerie guitar riffs with gut-wrenchingly intense vocals and heavy breakdowns, Arkata has an admirable balance of heaviness and melancholic atmosphere. 

    We discovered Arkata through a friend who spoke with Jill at a house show this past summer about the resurgence of the screamo/post-hardcore style in the last few years. It is always so exciting to discover a new Canadian band in the scene, and Arkata did not disappoint. 

    It was nice to meet Jill at Maya's screening of Underground Sound earlier this month!

Bandcamp

ST CD

ST CD 2003

Tetrapodwhy - Showcase

    Tetrapodwhy is a new four piece emo band from Calgary, Alberta. They formed sometime in summer of 2024 but only played their first shows late summer 2025. Melding mathy, noodley guitar parts with dissonant half-screamed vocals, Tetrapodwhy is bringing a fresh sound to Calgary. You can certainly tell they spent about a year perfecting their sound and style before releasing music or playing anything live. 

    Their first EP was released September 23rd, 2025, not long after their impressive first show (aside from a tiny basement set) opening for Chicago-based band Your Arms Are My Cocoon along. The EP is titled "long way from your heart", which features 6 tracks. The EP was released digitally through Luv Bugs Records, Connor of Montréal-based bands Eric Spinelli, Computer Science and Twine's DIY label. 

Their EP gives you a taste of what this band is going for and leaves you wanting more. Their mixture of 2010s style indie emo is sprinkled with discordant, twangy riffs and raw vocals that are reminiscent of the 90s DIY emo scene. This makes for a sound that is both approachable to newcomers and enjoyable for long-time fans of the genre alike. 

    Their show opening for Your Arms Are My Cocoon left me very impressed with how tight and in sync the band sounded with one another. They had good stage presence and a lot of emotion exuded from vocalist Ty Schwarzenberger's strained screams. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this band goes. 

    Seeing the emo/screamo scene being re-energized in Calgary is so refreshing and exciting to me, we have the beginnings of something really good and I hope that it continues to grow and evolve. Everyone check out Tetrapodwhy!

Spotify

Bandcamp

Current / Ottawa - Discography (1992-1994)

     Current was an post-hardcore band from Dearborn, Michigan. One of the first bands, along with split mates Indian Summer, to be banned from MRR for being too emo; Current was a bastion of the early 90s post-hardcore scene in the US, boldly going where no hardcore band had gone before. My personal favourite release by them, even though they are all iconic in their own respect; is Current's posthumous "Is 4" 7". This release contains the song "Basis" which along with Leech is one of my favourite Current tracks that really encapsulates their sound and mastery of the loud-quiet emo dynamic. Current is an essential band to listen to if you want to further your understanding on the history of 90s emo and post-hardcore.

Bandcamp

    Tired of being called "too emo" and "too progressive" for hardcore, the members of Current decided to record a studio session of "pure hardcore", retitled as Ottawa, to show the world that Current could do straight up hardcore as well as anyone else. This 14 track session which has been released in demo, split and LP form (twice!) is thrashy, grinding and angry as fuck. This material stood the test of time and is lauded by many an oldhead as one of the best hardcore recordings of the 90s. 

Bandcamp

Is 4 7" 1995 (Council)

Split 7" w/ Indian Summer 1993 (Repercussion)

Coliseum 12" 1993 (Council)

Could I 7" 1992 (Council)

Current / Chino Horde 7" 1992 (Council)

Ottawa / Jihad Split 12" 1994 (Council)