At a time in music when artists such as The White Stripes and The Strokes are leading a retreat to a raw, stripped down style, The Wandas heavily textured sound shines among the rest.

The Wandas, comprised of Keith McEchern on vocals and guitar, Brent Battey on guitar, Levin Gillespie on keyboards, Brian Carson on bass and Pete McElholm on drums, was formed nearly two years ago at nearby Berklee College of Music.

“I went to high school with Pete and I lived next door to Brian and Brent,” McEchern said. “We practiced in school, but not too seriously. We added Levin in May and he really completed our sound. We’re really serious now.”

McEchern describes their unique sound as “hard rock influenced drums and guitar with lots of melody” and likens it to “old Radiohead, Nirvana and Foo Fighters.” Their songs showcase what McEchern deems, “pop songs with depth.” With their catchy choruses and melodic style, The Wandas aspire to reach a very broad audience.

“We hope to reach anyone who likes good energy,” McEchern said.

That energy is strikingly clear in the band’s song “Trigger,” beginning with what feels like a blitz of sound; hitting hard and fast and not letting go. McEchern displays his vocal range, straying from the tenor crooning of many other alternative acts of today, such as Creed, Lifehouse and the Verve Pipe and exhibiting his falsetto.

A raspy scream begins the track “Headlines” before transitioning into fluid melody. Accentuated with an infectious chorus featuring a catchy keyboard and guitar riff layered under McEchern’s wailing “I’ve lost my mind.” “Headlines” has a dance feeling, resulting in one the band’s most memorable pieces.

“Fortune Teller” begins with the haunting lyric “I only know what you have told me” as The Wandas create an ominous sound over Carson’s bass line that begs to have heads bobbing. As McEchern warns “Love comes with a price” over a wailing guitar riff, the chorus continues to raise the intensity.

The Wandas slow down what seems like an unstoppable train of fervor, with the lone guitar strumming in the opening of “The Athlete.” A true rock ‘n’ roll ballad, “The Athlete” retains the power of the previous tracks, while displaying the band’s versatility.

Their energy and artistry has certainly paid off recently as they were one of the four bands to progress to the next round of the Emergenza Festival on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Club Lido. The festival originated in Rome in 1990 and gives local bands the opportunity to play large venues. Winners are chosen by the audience, with the winner of the final round in Germany receiving the opportunity to play a U.S. showcase.

Besides winning accolades at the Emergenza Festival and an upcoming album titled “If the Accident Will …” The Wandas hope to continue to expand their popularity in Boston and Providence. While McEchern admits a small record label would help with promotion, they’re not looking for a major right now.

“We hope to build up a big enough fan base that a major label would go to us,” McEchern said.

While McEchern claims Boston is a tough city to get good shows in, The Wandas have become regulars at T.T. Bear’s, in Cambridge and the Skybar, in Somerville. Packed with pure energy and teeming with talent, The Wandas have all the necessary ingredients to make them major players in the music scene worldwide.