Indie alt-rock band Dogpark got their start playing in the basements and backyards of their university in Virginia. Singer Eamon Moore, drummer Christian Conte, lead guitarist Declan Harris, and guitarist Billy Apostolou began with no intention of being more than a cover band, putting their spin on ‘90s and 2000s rock at raucous, beer-soaked frat parties. But as the word got out about their infectious stage presence, riff-heavy performances, and Moore’s raw, timeless vocals, they decided to expand to reach demand — leaving the walls of the University of Richmond to appease audiences in neighboring universities. It was a combination of their exponentially growing number of fans, inability to post a non-viral TikTok video, and (of course) their desire to play their high-octane shows with songs of their own that pushed them beyond the college circuit and into the rest of the world — driving the DIY band to pick up their pens and start crafting original songs in their basement. “We knew there was a low ceiling for a cover band, and we had the writing chops,” the band shares. “We took our time to make our first project; we wanted to do it right. So we started, and it was pretty fun, immediately.”

In the two years since their official formation in 2023, the four-piece has played major festivals like Governors Ball and Lollapalooza, sold out their first headlining tour, and signed to Severance Records/Big Loud Rock. The label signing gave the band the freedom to have backing in their DIY ethos — no longer footing the bill for L.A. writing sessions, vans, and Airbnbs booked for songwriting. But the best part? It gave them the ability to do what they love — take their music on the road. “It gave us a touring budget, which was key for us. Playing shows is the best part, so we’re going to do it as much as we can. It's the direct connection between making the music and people listening to it. There aren’t a lot of feelings that are better than that. It’s incredibly rewarding.”