This past fall, a friend of mine texted me excitedly from the barrier of a gig in London. Upon further prodding I did in fact know the band, a local legend turned myth. Bay Faction, one of the 2010s’ best kept indie secrets, had returned. Known for their self-titled debut in 2015, the group made the rounds of Boston house shows and tastemaker internet threads alike. Their 2020 hiatus spanned nearly five years (and spurred this r/emo thread), along with the gutting of their discography across...

NICE, a fest is back for its fifth annual summit of all things Boston DIY in Somerville’s Davis Square. From July 24th-26th, over 85 artists from across New England will come together to perform, collaborate, and create community at Crystal Ballroom, The Rockwell, and Dragon’s Lair. Credit: Cam Cavagnaro (NICE, 2023) Founded in 2021 by Alex Pickert, the festival has expanded to include two well-curated vendor markets and NICE @nite DJ sets to keep the party going. A pre-show event on July...

Palefire is at a turning point. When I sit down with twenty-two year old Jacqui Torres in her Denton, TX apartment, she is just about to head off on tour. Her debut LP full heart, big empty eyes is set for release on streaming (July 16th) after a whirlwind run exclusively on Bandcamp. Self-written, recorded, and produced, the confessional indie project has given her a name locally and transformed her career - one she is ready to take full control of. Yellow Light Mag: Tell me a little about...