Chicago alt-country upstarts National Photo Committee come in Red Hot

The band has been kicking around since before the pandemic, and they've never followed any muse but their own.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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National Photo Committee, a Chicago four-piece band, has been making waves in the indie rock scene with their unique blend of alt-country and lo-fi charm. Despite the recent trend of indie rockers embracing a twangy sound, the band has been doing its own thing since before the pandemic, with frontman Maxwell Bottner bringing his hardcore background into their scruffy tunes. The band is set to release their new album "Red Hot Photo Committee" through New York indie label Ever/Never Records, and they are scheduled to headline a show at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on March 16.

Why it matters

National Photo Committee's rise in the indie rock scene highlights the growing popularity of alt-country and the continued appeal of DIY, lo-fi music in the face of mainstream trends. The band's unique sound and visual style, combined with their independent spirit, make them an intriguing act to watch in the Chicago music scene.

The details

National Photo Committee's frontman, Maxwell Bottner, comes from a hardcore background, having drummed in bands like Side Action and Acid Mikvah. This influence can be heard in the band's lo-fi, scruffy sound, which they've been developing since before the pandemic. The band's catalog is sparse, but their 2021 EP "Songs About Sticks and Rocks" showcased Bottner's drawling baritone and the band's ability to craft catchy, alt-country-inspired tunes. The band recently contributed a track, "The Bishop," to a compilation promoting the New York City DIY festival Bread & Roses, with pedal steel guitarist Henry Moskal adding his warm, acrobatic playing to the song. In anticipation of the release of their new album "Red Hot Photo Committee" through New York indie label Ever/Never Records, the band has been building buzz, with Bottner uploading an unmastered version of the album to YouTube before pulling it down in preparation for the physical release.

  • In September 2019, Bottner posted a murky live recording of the band from that June, uploading it to YouTube.
  • In 2021, the band released their EP "Songs About Sticks and Rocks".
  • In 2025, the band contributed the song "The Bishop" to a compilation promoting the New York City DIY festival Bread & Roses.
  • At the turn of the year, Bottner uploaded an unmastered version of the new National Photo Committee album "Red Hot Photo Committee" to YouTube, only to pull it after a week in anticipation of a physical release.
  • In late January 2026, Bottner sent the recording off for mastering, and the finished version should be available for preorder through New York indie Ever/Never Records (on CD and vinyl) any day now.

The players

National Photo Committee

A Chicago four-piece indie rock band that has been kicking around since before the pandemic, blending alt-country and lo-fi charm.

Maxwell Bottner

The frontman of National Photo Committee, who comes from a hardcore background and has brought that energy and visual style into the band's scruffy tunes.

Henry Moskal

The pedal steel guitarist for National Photo Committee, who adds his warm, acrobatic playing to the band's sound.

Ever/Never Records

A New York indie label that will be releasing National Photo Committee's new album "Red Hot Photo Committee" on CD and vinyl.

Bread & Roses

A New York City DIY festival that National Photo Committee contributed a song to for a compilation.

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What they’re saying

“National Photo Committee have been kicking around since before the pandemic, and they've never followed any muse but their own.”

— Leor Galil, Author (chicagoreader.com)

What’s next

The finished version of National Photo Committee's new album "Red Hot Photo Committee" should be available for preorder through New York indie Ever/Never Records (on CD and vinyl) any day now.

The takeaway

National Photo Committee's unique blend of alt-country and lo-fi charm, combined with their independent spirit and refusal to follow trends, make them an intriguing act to watch in the Chicago music scene as they prepare to release their new album "Red Hot Photo Committee" through the New York indie label Ever/Never Records.