They Are Gutting a Body of Water (TAGABOW for short) is at the center of the city’s exhilarating shoegaze scene. Philly has become a hub for the genre, featuring bands like Nothing as well as newer acts Knifeplay, Full Body 2, and A Country Western. On March 9th, TAGABOW opened for Nothing at Union Transfer – along with Swirlies, Lovesliescrushing, Mint Field, Astrobrite, and Glixen (XPN Local Show host John Vettese was there, stay tuned for a review).
The shoegaze scene’s popularity has led to arguments over genre distinctions and geographical squabbling, but there is no question that this sometimes slow, sometimes noisy sound is one of the most beloved, booming genres of the current moment. TAGABOW’s latest release “Krillin” is a collaboration with two of their “all time favorite musicians” and fellow Philly-based artists: singer-songwriter Greg Mendez and “sludge pop” group Sun Organ. It’s a haunting track, filled with quiet vocals and fuzzy guitar. It’s also got a great, eerie grain-filled music video directed by Rhys Scarabosio.
TAGABOW first began releasing music in 2018, when their debut gestures been intrigued early listeners. The band has developed a huge fan base and earned recognition for its thrilling live shows and musical experimentation, including collaborations with the breakcore producer Casper McFadden. The evolution of shoegaze has often led to these kinds of genre-bending detours, frequently borrowing from the sounds of drum and bass music, and adding layers of synths. This summer, TAGABOW will tour with Brooklyn group DIIV, who you may recognize as the openers for Depeche Mode when they came to Wells Fargo Center last October.