Who is Mike Borchardt?
- A Chicagoan in New York
- Mike’s a mensch. Ask anyone who’s ever known him for more than two seconds.
- Guitarist and frontman for thinking man’s neanderthals Nihiloceros, known for their sometimes-insane-sounding-in-the-best-possible-way custom bass & guitar pedals and titular brand of hot sauce.
- One-time blogger for Full Time Aesthetic, writing a memoir (second draft reportedly completed) that rumour has it will ruin the reputation of anyone mentioned therein due to its Chicagoan Babylon-like qualities (we keed, we keed!) out on Lit Riot Press, perhaps in early 2027, so keep yr eyes peeled.
- One of the biggest supporter of ‘the scene’ if not its #1 supporter, seemingly teleporting from show to show on any given night cuz our dude is seriously everywhere at once.
- Mike’s band Nihiloceros is currently working up a new batch of songs and excited to play ‘em for ya—note these are not normally overly excitable guys—in the coming months.
MIKE’S TOP 10 EPs IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER [Click on titles to hear ‘em]:
Debbie Dopamine — Mandibles [insta] [Baby’s All Right on 1.3.26]
It’s rare that a band can nail that balance between chaos and craft. The band’s second EP cements them as some of Brooklyn’s most innovative songwriters. Heavy distortion meet controlled thoughtful lyricism, giving the EP a wild, restless energy that’s as visceral as it is memorable.
Alice Danger — Nothing is Ready [insta] [Sultan Room on 1.9.26]
One of the most unique voices out right now, Alice Danger writes songs that feel thoughtful and controlled but never stiff, delivered with a quirky wit and self-possessed confidence. Her latest EP is packed with personality and a sharp point of view. Alice is clearly someone who actually experiences the world and pays attention to the moments in between. Beneath it all runs a steady current of individuality and optimism—at a time we probably need it the most.
Biter — Wake [insta] [Carrie Underwood cover]
Angular guitars slice and swerve over epic post-emo hardcore hooks. Guttural-yet-infectious vocals push every track into overdrive. Biter [editor’s note: pour one out for the Biter boys, btw, the title of this EP is no lie] feels like the Pixies colliding head-on with Hot Water Music—sharp and uncompromising but never losing its sense of melody. Each song builds tension and then explodes, leaving you breathless and wired, grabbing you by the throat while somehow making you want to sing along.
The Planes — Motel For Lightning Bug [insta] [solo gig on 1.2.26]
Motel For Lightning Bug is what happens when you disguise a punk record as jangle pop. Even at its cleanest moments, you can hear the amp tubes screaming out for its growling guitars. Even in this compact slice of musical pie, frontman Perry showcases the fact that he undeniably creates some of the best licks in the game. Forget about the fact that “Tear the World Apart” is a goddamn pop leviathan.
Slugwater — Slug Sounds II [insta] [music video]
Sifting through the debris where shoegaze, hardcore, and punk collide, Slugwater is raw, loud, and feral—the perfect band for a sweaty basement with low ceilings and blown-out speakers.
Depresión Tropical — MICTLAN [insta] [Alphaville on 1.10.26]
Well-known for their gritty rhythms and sneaky, melodic hooks that linger in memory well past the final note, Depresión Tropical’s latest EP is a sharp, punk-charged jolt: featuring tight, urgent songs that hit fast and bite hard. Looking for a party? Pull up to one of their live shows and bring your helmet.
ADMIN — Systems [insta] [live clip] [Sleepwalk on 1.2.26]
A dusty, crusty, bass-driven industrial slog perfect for when the punks get bored of the pit and wander into the club instead. It’s hypnotic compulsion—grinding low end and clanging machinery.
Ok Cuddle — Divorce Court [insta] [cassette]
Undeniably alt/emo in its DNA but with a frenetic filter that takes over but never completely overshadows the softer edges of its bedroom indie. Think Rainer Maria meets Pool Kids…or maybe At The Drive in a periwinkle tutu.
Colatura — If I’m Being Honest [insta] [music video]
Despite recently relocating to Pittsburgh, Colatura is still a NYC band as far as we’re concerned. Their new EP layers fuzzy, aching guitars with soaring synths to create hazy, immersive soundscapes that feel both sprawling and intentional. Its steady rhythmic core keeps everything grounded, letting the band float effortlessly between lazy, dreamlike textures and moments of sharp emotional punch. It’s music that drifts, lingers, and lands exactly where it needs to.
Caitlin Starr — Hold on Tight [insta] [teaser]
Messy and dark and unapologetic, the EP nods back to a time when guitar rock was queen. Unmistakably shaped by a sound that’s distinctively ‘90s without falling into the trap of being derivative, Starr carves out her own lane, delivering a brand of crunchy, velvety drama that feels fresh, urgent, and perfectly tuned for a new generation.
MIKE’S TOP 10 LPs IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER [Click on titles to hear ‘em]:
SKORTS — Incompletement [insta] [official site]
Blending Heart’s emotional sweep, Led Zeppelin’s softer, dreamier moments, and the sleek pop instincts of The Cars, SKORTS’ debut LP delivers epic, soaring anthems that feel both cinematic and intimate. A fever-dream built on shimmer, restraint, and big melodic payoff.
Frida Kill — City Gurl [insta] [music video] [Pouzza Fest, May ‘26]
Whether it’s made for dancing at the bar or burning down the world, Frida Kill’s sophomore LP is a fractured, urgent masterpiece—dark, fun, and feral. Riffs hit with equal parts rage and release, turning chaos into something you can move to.
Consumables — Infinite Games [insta] [music video]
Kind of like Superchunk meets Waaves on soda pop and quaaludes, Consumables is a sugar-rush cocktail of bright, fuzzy energy—impossible to listen to without grinning and nodding along. This might just be the defining sound of Bushwick’s party scene right now.
Shadow Monster — Dog [insta] [music video]
The long awaited follow up to 2019’s masterwork, Punching Bag. Gillian Visco expands her gloom-grunge universe with longtime collaborator John, this time bringing along Nikki Sisti of THICK, and Denim Casimir of TVOD. The result is a heartbreaking, beautifully imperfect journey through pain and loss, where heaviness and tenderness coexist—proof that trauma, in the right hands, can be both devastating and beautiful.
No Jersey — MONDO COOL! [insta] [music video]
Move over Weezer. These guys put out an actual GOOD record this year! If you crave big guitars and even bigger harmonies with a dash of social responsibility, this record is for you.
My Son The Doctor — Glamours [insta] [live clip]
Pulling from a range of eclectic and quirky influences—from The Promise Ring to Shellac—this might just be a perfect pop rock record. No notes.
Tea Eater — I Don’t Believe in Bad Luck [insta] [tarot deck]
Imagine Sharkmuffin and Gustaf crashed your art party, trashed the place, and then made you waffles with extra butter for breakfast [editor’s note: I have imagined this innumerable times!] this is that.
Wetsuit — Yarn for Future Scarves [insta] [music video]
Weaving us into a world of cotton candy, sweet tea, salty tears, and sunsets—the band hits their sophomore stride. A playful twang and warble—a beautiful nod to matriarchal lineage and legacy—all held together by indie-rock grooves and layered melodic hooks feeling both steady and assured. This is summer in a jar.
Ouster Nash — I Am The Sun [insta] [music video]
We love a good nihilistic, chaotic jam. Fuzzy, unruly guitars and zero fucks given—it’s like knocking over a shelf of paint in the garage after a mouthful of psychedelic mushrooms then holding band practice amongst the mess.
QWAM — girls aren’t afraid of blood [insta] [lyric video]
Marking a clear departure from their earlier sound, QWAM’s latest LP dives deeper into vulnerability. It blends emo’s raw emotional intensity with grungy, swirling atmospheres and a richly textured edge. Feedback-drenched guitars collide with anguished vocals, creating a sound that’s both cathartic and immersive. The hooks may be subtler this time, but they give way to a powerful, unflinching exploration of angst and introspection.