ROSEBURG

With their upcoming record, the criminally underrated band Roseburg continues to refine their sound—organic, heartfelt, and quietly powerful.

Today's music landscape is dominated by viral hits, algorithm-driven playlists, and short attention spans. It’s easy to miss the artists quietly building something meaningful in the margins. Frequently referred to as "the most criminally underrated indie rock band making music today," the quartet (composed of Zach Knell, Samuel Sheppard, Keith Lambson, and Soren Buchert) is making music for those willing to tune out the noise and listen a little deeper.

The music they make is vulnerable, cinematic, and deeply rooted in personal storytelling. Accompanying this music is an extended universe full of artistically lush and technically gorgeous videography; costume and wardrobe with esoteric and symbolic qualities; and the kind of iconic photography that most bands only dream of achieving.

All of this makes it incredibly fun to be a fan of Roseburg.

Roseburg was formed in Oregon, and that detail matters more than you might think. For this band, geography isn’t just a footnote—it’s the emotional foundation of their sound. Think fog-drenched forests, long stretches of coastline, and quiet roads leading into the unknown. As someone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, their music has always felt deeply reminiscent of home. It’s a place of contrast—mystical and moody, full of both shadow and light—and that duality is central to Roseburg’s identity.

"When a Roseburg song lands for me it often feels very locational. I’m very much imagining these songs floating in from the forests and coastline of Oregon, where the band formed. Our discography feels like a playlist for the vibe that area gives me," says frontman Zach Knell. 

This mythic energy is especially apparent in “The Earth,” one of the band’s most resonant and emotionally potent songs to date. The music video was filmed in a location that mirrored the emotional and sonic scope of the track—a landscape as vast and conflicted as the song itself. 

"It feels almost mythical. Both dark, but also full of wonder," says Knell. "A very real acknowledgement of pain, but also full of hope."

Since its release, “The Earth” has quickly become a fan favorite, and it’s easy to understand why. From its atmospheric guitar tones to its quietly devastating lyrics, the song is a masterclass in emotional honesty. But more than anything, it’s the genuineness of the performance that resonates so deeply.

You can. There’s no posturing, no overproduction—just a raw, earnest voice laid bare over spacious instrumentation. It’s that honesty, unpolished and unguarded, that makes “The Earth” feel less like a song and more like a shared experience. It’s the kind of track that arrives at just the right moment and sits with you in your quietest hours.

If “The Earth” is any indication, Roseburg’s upcoming record is poised to be something special. The band describes the new material with a single word: organic.

“The recordings are coming together in a way that feels like they’re right out of the speakers in our rehearsal space,” says Knell. “It’s very live-feeling, very in-the-room.”

For those new to Roseburg’s sound, it might help to know what exactly they mean by "live-feeling." The Roseburg shows I've attended have been some of the best shows I've ever experienced. Their technical ability is second-to-none, and their ability to translate their studio arrangements into gorgeous live arrangements is unparalleled. The band offers a comparison that sets the tone while underscoring their unique twist on the genre: 

It’s a description that perfectly captures the essence of Roseburg—emotional, textural, occasionally explosive, and always deeply felt. The songs don’t chase trends; they dig into timeless questions of identity, loss, hope, and transformation. Their next record isn’t trying to be the next big thing. It’s trying to be something real—and in doing so, it might just become the next big thing.

Part of what makes Roseburg so captivating is the way they carry their creative integrity into every part of the process—from songwriting to recording to their visual presentation. That care was evident in the band’s tmrw live session, where they performed “The Earth” in a setting deeply personal to them.

“tmrw’s headquarters are at the studio where Roseburg has recorded every one of our records, so we felt right at home,” Knell recalls. “It was an experience we’ll never forget. Huge shoutout to Scott Wiley and the June Audio team as well as all the other players and Zhaun-Paul, our videographer. Loved getting the chance to bring 'The Earth' to life. We’re so lucky.”

The performance captured the intimacy and emotional immediacy that define Roseburg’s sound. You could hear the years of collaboration, the trust between musicians, and the closeness to the material itself. It wasn’t just a session—it was a window into the soul of a band that has quietly mastered their craft.

The tmrw experience didn’t end with the live session. The band also teamed up with tmrw photographer Clark Clifford for a shoot that turned out to be one of their all-time favorites. And it’s clear the collaboration went beyond just good lighting and camera angles.

“Clark is the man!” Knell says with a smile. “Easily some of our favorite photos of the band ever. I was blown away at his ability to keep everything so fun, while still being so efficient.”

In many ways, that balance—playful but purposeful—mirrors the band itself. Roseburg’s music is emotionally heavy, but never hopeless. Their sound is complex, but never inaccessible. And as their circle of collaborators grows, so too does their ability to translate that vision across every medium.

In a time when so much music feels engineered for clicks and curated for playlists, Roseburg stands apart simply by being true to themselves. They’re not rushing to be heard—they’re building something worth listening to. Their songs carry a patience and purpose that feels increasingly rare, and for those who’ve discovered them, the impact is lasting.

With a new record on the horizon, a growing body of visual work, and a fanbase that continues to expand through word-of-mouth, the band is poised to make a quiet but undeniable mark on the indie rock world. Whether you’re watching a brutally beautiful live session or getting lost in the emotional layers of a single like “The Earth,” one thing is certain: Roseburg isn’t just a band you hear.

They’re a place you go.

Make sure to follow Roseburg on Instagram. Their latest singles "The Earth" and "City of Angels" are streaming everywhere.