2023 - 12 - 20 /// Lower Automation video + Gifts From Enola reveal #3+4

Lower Automation did some live jams on the Chicago Music Exchange! Definitely check it out and snag their most recent ‘Strobe Light Shadow Play’ 12” below!


Woah nelly this is the last news post before the Gifts From Enola ‘2006-2013’ boxset releases on Thursday at 9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST! Four cassettes that include heaps of unreleased/live material in addition to the band four albums and handful of splits for over five hours of incredible music. Above are the last two cassettes ‘Gifts From Enola’ and ‘A Healthy Fear’, the former also includes the Caravels split, a brand new song, and two live jams while the latter houses a remix and four unreleased demos. Watch their two music videos below, one from each of the aforementioned cassette releases.


Click here to go to the full article!


Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: RATBOYS = I just found out about this Chicago indie rock band and this new album rules. Think a more accessible Wednesday crossed with Frankie Cosmos.

2023 - 12 - 18 /// Tristan Tzara 12" + Gifts From Enola reveal #2

The cat is out of the bag, our next mage set will be for the upcoming Tristan Tzara 12” discography! Much more info to come on this, but be sure to hunker down on January 31st, 2024. These are in hand and LOOK AMAZING. The release date might shift a few days so keep your eyes peeled.

And remember, this upcoming Friday the 22nd is Wave 2 + the regular-priced two-day tickets for ZBR Fest 2024. Scream for screamo.


9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST is the Gifts From Enola ‘2006-2013’ boxset release! Four cassettes that include heaps of unreleased/live material in addition to the band four albums and handful of splits for over five hours of incredible music. Above is the ‘From Fathoms’ cassette, which includes (arguably) the band’s finest work. Exceptional stuff. Below is perhaps my fave from this tape, as there are a ton of amazing tracks to choose from, including another unreleased jam and three live ones!.


Out Past the Rings #179.5 is fucking ridiculous and was rather painful, to boot. Zampler #14 ‘Games and Theory’!!!


Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: MAPS = The Gifts From Enola boys got me onto this. Mathy and jangly post-rock/post-hardcore not unlike the Gifts themselves.

2023 - 12 - 14 /// ZBR Fest 2024 Early Birds tomorrow!

Woah nelly lots of news again. First off, the Gifts From Enola discography set is coming out in exactly one week. One box. Four cassettes. Over five hours of incredible music.



Blind Girls fuckin’ flew yesterday, my god. No mages left. No nebs left. We’re down to just random color and we had way less of those to begin with than the nebs! I think we had 18 over two stores!!! Links to purchase on our bandcamp <3


Out Past the Rings #179 and Tomb Tree Family Tree TT005 is (I think) the last joint release between ZBR and Tomb Tree, the truly incredible ‘Believer’s Hit’ by Nerver! Watch CanaDave go skinface in this ridiculously wretched episode. Now my face is cold all the time. Goddammit. Listen/download/buy here!



Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: SINEMA = Some incredible new throwback emo/post-hardcore in the vein of Saosin and Thursday. Yummy.