City
Urbana
United States
Urbana, home to the University of Illinois, serves as the spiritual twin of Champaign in the Midwest emo scene, with the two cities functioning as a single cultural unit. Polyvinyl Record Co., founded here in 1995, becomes one of the most important independent labels documenting the scene, releasing seminal albums by Braid, American Football, and countless other acts. The college town's house show circuit and proximity to Chicago makes it a crucial testing ground for bands developing the gentle, intricate sound that defines the era.