Ventura County’s Strange Case are pushing the next wave of SoCal alt/indie rock straight into 2026 with their brand-new single “HBK.” Driven by sharp guitars and sun-baked hooks, the track dives into the chaos of chasing someone you know you shouldn’t. “You just can’t scrub them from your brain,” Bassist Aaron Chapman says.
Strange Case are also the first signing on Jakob Nowell’s new imprint, SVN/BVRNT Records, solidifying their place as one of the most talked-about young rock bands in the region. The duo of Vandervort and Mikey Netka blend gritty surf-rock textures with modern indie punch—pulling from The Frights, classic California guitar bands, and the heavier edge of today’s alt scene.
Strange Case first caught widespread attention with “27 Club,” a breakout single that landed spins on Los Angeles’ legendary 106.7 KROQ and has since climbed past 1.6 million streams on Spotify—a milestone that firmly positioned the band as one of Southern California’s most compelling new voices. Now, as their momentum accelerates, the release of “HBK” marks not just another strong entry in their catalog, but a defining moment in the rapid evolution of both Strange Case and the fast-rising SVN/BVRNT label.
With every new release, SVN/BVRNT continues to sharpen its identity as a next-wave creative hub—an incubator built to champion emerging Southern California talent that refuses to fit neatly into genre boxes. Strange Case, with their blend of indie grit, emotional clarity, and unapologetic SoCal spirit, are becoming one of the label’s clearest proof points. If “27 Club” announced their arrival, “HBK” underscores that they’re a band on an upward trajectory, carving out space in a crowded indie landscape and signaling a future that’s only getting bigger.
“HBK” is out now on all streaming platforms: