red sun

The bright, spiky sound of Midwestern quartet red sun points toward emo's late '10s/early '20s fifth wave - loud, tuneful, heartfelt rock from a team of fast friends. After gaining notice with indie EP best buds :) in 2024, the band made their debut on Philadelphia indie label Wax Bodega with 2026's At Their Very Best. red sun's roots begin in Oklahoma City, where high school classmates Quinn Wilcox (guitar/vocals) and Dylan Manivong (drums) knew each other as members of different indie rock bands. After graduating college, both reconnected over a shared experience of getting ghosted by the same rock band, inspiring them to join forces. After some shows with Manivong's roommate on bass (despite having never played), red sun scored a coup recruiting Zeke McPhail - a locally-known guitarist in the scene - and recorded their first single, 2023's "officer jenny," as a trio (with Wilcox doubling on bass in the studio) for a split EP with The Others Like Us and Me Too, Thanks. The sessions to the Best Buds :) EP were produced with another local musician, Trace Brown, who clicked so well that he joined as their full-time bassist. The warm reception to that EP gave way to another, 2024's Unnecessary Riffness, and a generous touring schedule through the Midwest. Wax Bodega eventually took notice, and released their full-length debut At Their Very Best, in the spring of 2026. ~ Mike Duquette