Vundabar

Based in Boston, Vundabar established itself on the American indie scene by cultivating an indie rock sound with surf, post‑punk and off‑kilter pop influences, driven by Brandon Hagen’s nasal vocals and sharp guitars. Formed in the early 2010s around Hagen and drummer Drew McDonald, with Zackery Abramo originally on bass, the band made its mark on the DIY circuit, in small venues and through intensive touring across the United States and later Europe. Debut album Antics (2013) introduced a direct, lo‑fi sound, followed by Gawk (2015), which heightened the contrast between bright melodies and rhythmic tension. With Smell Smoke (2018), Vundabar tackled themes of grief, mental health and family dynamics while keeping instantly memorable choruses. Either Light (2020) moved toward denser arrangements, incorporating keyboards and softer textures, whereas Devil for the Fire (2022) explored a darker, edgier side, playing with tempo breaks and shifts in register. On stage and in the studio, Vundabar operates mainly as a tight core around the Hagen–McDonald duo, supplemented by various bassists, and continues to explore a balance between raw energy, bitter humor and melodic songwriting.