Shady Bug releases new album and starts decade-long tour

St. Louis indie rock band Shady Bug released its fourth full-length album, I wanted to be there, on October 30 through the Philadelphia label Julia’s War. The record serves as a capstone for the group’s first ten years in the local DIY scene. The band will begin a tour across the Midwest and East Coast on November 2 with a release show at the Kerr Foundation in St. Louis.

Fronted by singer and guitarist Hannah Rainey, Shady Bug formed in the fall of 2016 to jam on solo material Rainey had written. The lineup has evolved over the years. The current roster includes original member ripple on guitar and vocals, bassist Chris Chartrand, and drummer Ingram Tolish. The group’s sound relies on dynamic shifts and experimental time signatures. Rainey’s melodic vocals contrast with ripple’s more aggressive guitar style.

Rainey noted that the band recorded the new tracks live in a single session, except for the vocals. They tracked the album at The Nest, a DIY space in St. Louis where the group recorded its debut. Philadelphia-based engineer Scoops Dardaris flew to the city to record the sessions. Rainey said the live capture preserved the energy the band brings to live performances.

The band spent time writing demos in the basement of Rainey’s home. Some of these songs date back to before the pandemic interrupted the group’s touring schedule in 2020. Rainey moved to Philadelphia in June 2025 to reconnect with touring contacts. One such contact was Doug Dulgarian, founder of Julia’s War and lead of the band They Are Gutting a Body of Water.

Rainey asked Dulgarian at a show if his label would release the new record. Dulgarian agreed and also arranged for a cassette release through Bee Side Cassettes, a label based in Albany, New York. Bee Side Cassettes had booked Shady Bug for a show in Albany in 2019. Rainey credited these personal connections for helping secure the distribution deal.

The November 2 show at the Kerr Foundation will feature Shady Bug alongside three local bands: Freckles, Choom, and ninevolt. Freckles includes Delia, Rainey’s twin sister and a collaborator from her previous folk band Dubb Nubb. Delia provided vocals on the song “basket” on the new album. The concert marks the start of a tour designed to celebrate the band’s decade of activity.

Rainey has booked shows in St. Louis for more than ten years alongside ripple. She said the process of organizing local gigs helped build the network of musicians and venues that supports the band today. The group plans to play primarily new material during the upcoming tour dates.