Alison's Halo, fawn, ladyluck

For every My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and Slowdive we thank for the ongoing shoegaze revival, there’s an Alison’s Halo or a Swirlies – both of which performed at last fall’s pedal-worshipping Levitation – we should cite just the same. Formed in Tempe, Arizona, in 1992 and immortalized on record in sole 1998 compilation Eyedazzler, the former specialized in ethereal dream pop; Catherine Cooper’s elvish vocals float above her reverb-drenched guitars in tracks that take their time, more interested in crafting fuzzy, enveloping soundscapes than an aggressive wall of sound. San Antonio’s Fawn and San Marcos’ ladyluck, two contemporary Central Texas answers to these Southwest innovators, open. – Carys Anderson