Over the course of a single year, PHS band room-based shoegaze group “Sertraline” has quickly emerged as a rising star in the local Southwest Washington underground scene, stacking regular gigs as they prepare to release their debut, self-titled EP.

What started as a casual conversation quickly evolved into something much larger for Prairie High School students Henry Cass (guitar, sophomore), Brandon Felton (drums, junior), Nathan Welker (vocals/frontman, senior), and Aksel Bristol (bass, junior). The band officially formed in February 2025, following a text conversation between Welker and Felton surrounding the idea of putting together a group to play music similar to the style of popular Midwest emo band “American Football.”

Within weeks, the seed sprouted to incorporate Bristol and Cass into the equation, and the quartet began to coordinate after-school rehearsals in the band room to establish concepts of a genre for their then-unnamed band. “Sertraline”, as its identity today, quickly gravitated toward shoegaze, a subgenre known for layered guitar distortion, atmospheric textures and introspective vocals. But members say they were determined to avoid imitation of existing inspirations for their work.

“Our vision for Sertraline is for it to actually be a new take on the realm of shoegaze,” drummer Brandon Felton said. “We’ve taken inspiration from artists like My Bloody Valentine, Hum, Whir and Trauma Ray, but we don’t want to be just another band. We’re trying to create a more refined version of a genre we really love.”

The band’s first major exposure came during the Clark County Battle of the Bands on May 31, 2025, a project co-organized and pitched to them by Prairie’s own band director, Ryan Messling. Although still newly formed at the time, their performance and 3rd place ranking in the competition allowed them to connect with established local artists and various PNW venue organizers, paving the way for continuous bookings the band maintained throughout the summer and fall.

In August 2025, Sertraline released a demo version of their single “Murmur” on Spotify and other platforms. The track, originally recorded as a bootleg-style production, marked a turning point, expanding its reach beyond school walls and drawing attention from production studios and venue coordinators alike.

Those performances, in turn, created enough revenue for the band to take its next step: professional studio time. Members say gig earnings allowed them to book official recording sessions to produce their upcoming EP and remaster “Murmur” into a more polished, refined version that better reflects their evolving sound.

Vocalist Nathan Welker said the band’s collaborative dynamic plays a central role in that evolution.

“We all play really differently, and we all have strong opinions,” Welker said. “But that’s honestly what makes it work. We inspire each other because we genuinely like how each other plays. When we’re writing, it feels like we’re building off each other in real time.”

While members acknowledge that differing personalities can lead to creative friction, they maintain a universally steadfast commitment to the group and its success. Over time, their rehearsals have shifted from loosely structured jam sessions to more intentional, several-days-a-week practices focused on arrangement, dynamics and recording preparation.

As Sertraline prepares for their EP release, exposure and consistent live performance opportunities have yet to falter. In a philanthropic capacity, the group’s next performance will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at “Rainforest Café” as part of a fundraiser show in support of local band “Summer of Peril.” All proceeds from the concert will go toward the legal defense fund for the band’s bassist, Marco, who has recently been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For the group, the upcoming show represents the accumulation of uplifting and enthusiastic support they’ve received from the underground community; an opportunity to give back to those actively cultivating their successes.

For a performance group rooted in friendship and a shared appreciation for music as an art, the past year has reaped benefits aplenty for Sertraline. With their pure drive having turned a pipe dream into real name recognition, the four members have high hopes for what awaits them following the release of their EP, a performance at the 2nd annual Battle of the Bands in the spring, and whatever else follows.