I talk about punk and new wave a lot, but there's a third lane I don't bring up as often, mostly because I don't come across it much locally, though it shares the same level of impact the other two do: Dark wave. New wave's sibling has always been just as important to me, with that moodier, atmospheric, danceable draw carried out by synths, drum machines, and THAT bass, guitars shimmering through it all.
It's a dream pop sound I tend to run after more than I can actually find.
Future Nobodies, fits into this space more than any artist I've photographed. I came across their name at some point, but never followed up until recently, and realizing they were local was a big win. There's something in this genre that makes skipping tracks silly, when I hear echoes of Chris & Cosey, Clan of Xymox, New Order/Joy Division, and some Cure for good measure, fanning the dark flame throughout all their songs. They closed with "Over It," a song that embodies what I've poorly tried to describe, but it will be my Spotify's end 'o year most played, hands down.
So much of this centers on Jessica Covarrubias, whose vocals completes the alchemy I look for, molding everything into place.
Occasional tech note: for the first time I leaned into slowing the shutter to catch movement and to mirror Jessica's rhythm on stage. It wasn't perfect, but it felt right, even though seeing that shutter speed drop to 1/20 was anxiety-inducing Darkness.