Emma Goldman – Self-Titled EP
Four songs of anguished and passionate screamo with tangible Indian Summer, Honeywell, and Maximilian Colby influences.
I can’t help but find it a bit odd to write about a band named Emma Goldman. Sure, I’ve come across at least four bands called Rosa Parks, but do we really need more bands named after historical figures? Something like Red Emma or The Anarchist Ice Cream Parlour might have felt a bit fresher for a screamo band, but here we are.
That said, this Emma Goldman is a three-piece screamo band from Vancouver, BC, and their demo (or self-titled EP, if you prefer) offers four tracks of nostalgic, ’90s-inspired emotive hardcore. They’ve got all the hallmarks: pained, anguished vocals, personal-meets-political lyricism, and intricate, twinkling guitars that hover on the edge of real screamo chaos.
Their sound nods heavily to classics like Indian Summer and Honeywell, blending climactic emo melodies with noisier, chaotic bursts. Add a touch of Maximilian Colby’s complexity or the driving energy of Drive Like Jehu, and you’ve got a compelling listen that ticks all the right boxes for fans of the genre.
Two of the three members, Félix and Victoria, also play in dad thighs, another solid band that deserves some attention. It’s clear that Emma Goldman shares the same DIY ethos, channeling heartfelt emotion and a raw, honest sound that feels deeply personal and rooted in punk tradition.
Even David Norman of Zegema Beach Records took notice, attending and filming their release show on March 16th. (Though, the YouTube title says May 16—classic DIY documentation.) If you’re into the melancholic and frenetic energy of ’90s screamo, this band will surely hit the spot. Just don’t dwell too much on the name.
