Nothing Pick Their Bandcamp Favorites

For a contemporary shoegaze band to survive a single nostalgia cycle is commendable; for said band to thrive across multiple generations is almost unheard of. Nothing, the Philadelphia band by the creative direction and force of singer/songwriter Dominic Palermo, is the impossibly rare specimen that meets both criteria twice over. Initially emerging in the 2010s, as the genre’s first revival crested, they haven’t just retained their elder statesmen status across the past 15 years, but expanded it, critically and commercially—just in time to greet Deftones-curious youth of today.

Awareness of both past and present is key to what’s made them an enduring force; Palermo and company aren’t the type to trap themselves in the amber of the past, nor to let the trends of the now pull them under. Their latest record, a short history of decay, is a testament to those restless instincts, ushering in new forms of distortion ranging from drum & bass on “Cannibal World” to Radiohead-esque art pop on “Purple Strings,” a crawling, moody collaboration with harpist Mary Lattimore.

Nothing’s ability to juggle both past and present also manifests in their marquee annual Slide Away Festival. Now in its third year, the festival is bringing cult alt-rock heroes Hum to three cities across the country, along with a bevy of other acts in their orbit. It’s a precise choice of headliner; arguably, no band is more felt in the DNA of whatever-gaze than Hum, influencing both the genre’s heavier and more melodic ends. Beyond the Chicago luminaries, Nothing is also bringing a reunited Chapterhouse, and fellow mid-’10s veterans Cloakroom, while passing the torch to up-and-comers like She’s Green and Bleary Eyed. In that spirit, we’ve asked the current lineup of the band to choose their favorites on Bandcamp, ranging from past to present, to show us what they’ve been listening to lately.

Domenic “Nicky” Palermo

Jefre Cantu-Ledesma Gift Songs

“I’ve obsessed over this record for a year now, but this track [‘The Milky Sea’] especially. When listening in headphones, it makes an everyday trip through the grocery store or a ride on the subway seem so cinematically beautiful and profound; it’s rare a track does this to me.”

Jeanines Jeanines

“I had the pleasure of catching Jeanines with Tony Molina in Philly and was blown away. Every track is perfect, but ‘Winter in the Dark’ really sticks to you in the best way.”

Bobb Bruno

Gezebelle Gaburgably Gaburger

Cam Smith

Elliott Smith Either/Or

“There is nothing to say about Elliott that hasn’t already been said. I immediately started learning ‘Ballad of Big Nothing’ on guitar after tour to challenge myself to get better at sounding the way he felt.”

Doyle Martin

Tony Molina Confront the Truth

“Not many musicians or records have inspired me to pick up a guitar more than this ‘Old Enough To Know.’ It’s Elliott Smith meets The Beatles—perfect song.”

Zachary Jones

Hewhocorrupts Ten Steps To Success

“Hewhocorrupts were such an insane band to see live—think Wall Street meets Discordance Axis. They all dressed as stockbrokers, and by the end of the set, they were basically naked, with fake money and gallons of milk thrown all over the place. One time, the whole Aveda shampoo collection lined their amps, and not long into the set, shampoo was all over the venue. Tommy Camaro was the singer’s name; he later started coming to shows dressed like he was on a road crew with a helmet and a big tool belt. The whole group are all such players and shaped so many other sick Chicago bands. Wild guys!”