Band Bio: Watersdeep

Oct 1, 2025
3 min read

Watersdeep

Formation Year: 2018

Hometown: Northern Virginia / Maryland

Band Members:

Gabe Jaar – Lead Vocals

Tanner Campos – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Ize Ryan – Bass / Backing Vocals

Rohan Enamandra – Drums

Past Members:

Brandon Jones – Guitar (2017–2023)

Clare Raiguel – Bass/Drums (†2022)

The Name & Beginning

Watersdeep was born out of a joke that turned into a legacy. Back in college, frontman Gabe’s friend Rachel suggested the name “The Water’s Deep” after Gabe and his buddy John kept covering Bring Me The Horizon’s “Drown” on his college radio show. What started as an acoustic side project in 2016–2017 grew into a full band in 2018, when Gabe decided to pursue the project seriously.

The band hails mostly from Northern Virginia, with Gabe now based in Maryland. Over the years, they’ve built a tight-knit community around their music, lovingly referred to as the Waters community.

The Sound

Watersdeep’s music is best described as 2000’s emo fused with modern metalcore, “sad boi vibes with ridiculously downtuned breakdowns.” Their style reflects the band’s dual influences: the emotional drama and theatrical aesthetics of My Chemical Romance, Silverstein, Senses Fail, and The Used; and the crushing weight of modern metalcore acts like Alpha Wolf and Sworn In.

Like A Day to Remember, they thrive in mixing pop-punk melody with metalcore heaviness, making each track feel both heartfelt and punishing.

The Music

Watersdeep’s first full-band releases were “You’re Not Alone // Searching”, reworked from Gabe’s acoustic songs into pop-punk-leaning tracks that paved the way for their current heavier sound.

Their breakthrough came in 2020 with “A Distant Memory”, their heaviest song at the time. The track unexpectedly took off online, surpassing 100,000 streams on Spotify and becoming a fan favorite. Since then, they’ve continued to evolve, releasing increasingly collaborative singles where every member contributes to the songwriting process.

On Stage

A Watersdeep show isn’t just a gig, it’s a party. Expect stage dives, crowd interaction, and beach balls (and sometimes a giant stuffed duck) flying across the room. The band thrives on energy, jumping into the crowd and making the audience feel like part of the band itself.

One of their proudest live moments came when they headlined Jammin Java, a full-circle return to a venue Gabe once played acoustically for nearly no audience. This time, it was packed, loud, and unforgettable.

Milestones & Achievements

Shared stages with Dead Eyes, Vampires Everywhere, If Not For Me, Oh, Sleeper, Famous Last Words, and more.

Played Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2021, performing on the same day as Papa Roach, Killswitch Engage, and Underoath, and sharing a stage with August Burns Red, Fit For A King, The Hu, and Falling In Reverse.

Built a growing online presence, with fan content including Clone Hero videos of their My Chemical Romance cover.

Memories & Stories

Craziest Show: A canceled gig once led them to perform inside a Dunkin’ Donuts. The manager gave them the green light, and they turned a coffee shop into a rock venue.

In Memory: Former bassist/drummer Clare Raiguel, who passed in 2022, left a deep impact on the band and community. Watersdeep continues to honor her legacy through their music and performances.

Fan Love: From fan poems to fan art, Watersdeep’s supporters keep surprising them with heartfelt creations and tributes.

Looking Ahead

The band’s main focus heading into 2026 is touring more extensively. With new music in the works, they’re aiming to expand their reach, land more festival slots, and keep building the Waters community across state lines.

Their long-term goal? Growth, connection, and leaving behind a legacy as impactful as the bands that inspired them.