Tag: Emo

Change of Pace — Ness Lake Finds the Right Groove on “Normal Speed” Album

Marco Aziel, Chandler Lach, and Brandon McDole of Ness Lake. Photo – Spencer Isberg

Chandler Lach needs a change of pace.

The Ypsilanti musician spent six years working on Ness Lake’s latest album and reflecting on several life changes.

“I was facing a lot of weird inner turmoil and changes,” said Lach, the band’s frontman, about Normal Speed.

“And now, looking back on it, I wrote all those songs about needing to get better before realizing that I really needed to. I think it’s a pretty constant experience of an artist to look back on former work and think, ‘Oh, you were so cute six years ago. I can’t believe that experience was so intense for you. I can’t believe that was what was consuming me at that time.’”

Lach chronicles his evolution across nine tracks, which explore relationships, mental health, and sobriety.

“There’s a lot of hope on the album, too. It’s cool to see that hope has been realized,” he said.

“Thematically, it’s knowing that things need to improve and not knowing exactly the steps to get there, but seeing that there is some light there. It’s strange writing songs now. I have different problems and anxieties, but also different joys and pleasures.”

On Normal Speed, Lach excels alongside bassist/multi-instrumentalist/producer Marco Aziel and former drummer/percussionist Brandon McDole. Ness Lake’s contemplative lyrics and experimental instrumentation instantly resonate with fans of emo, shoegaze, and indie rock.

“I walk away from the whole experience [being] so grateful to Marco and Brandon for pushing [us]. This is the product … because of that hard work,” said Lach, whose band name takes inspiration from Loch Ness. “I’m really interested, excited, and curious to see how it’s received and what happens next. I think no matter what, we have a cool roster of new songs.”

I recently spoke with the band about the album ahead of a January 30 album release show at Ziggy’s.

Continue reading “Change of Pace — Ness Lake Finds the Right Groove on “Normal Speed” Album” →

The Power of Goodbye — Melanie Pierce Finds Closure From a Past Relationship on “Enough” Single

melanie-pierce-2024
Melanie Pierce shares messages of self-empowerment and resilience on “Enough.” Photo courtesy of Melanie Pierce

Melanie Pierce boldly reclaims her power on “Enough.”

The Detroit singer-songwriter asserts her true feelings and finds closure from a past relationship on her new emo-pop single.

“‘Enough’ is a song that I’m very proud of, and I’m really thankful to have had music to lean on when the events behind the song were taking place,” Pierce said.

“The song is a reflection of events that hurt or things that at the time I looked at through rose-colored glasses. Then I pulled them off and said, ‘This sucked … and it’s enough for me to get over this and move on.’’”

Surrounded by fearless acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, and drums, she sings: “I poured my heart out and I wrote you songs / You felt awkward, said it’s like someone’s singing happy birthday to you / Someday, I’m gonna find someone who actually deserves all I do / So I reclaim every song I sent you and the magic you had access to / And the girl that would have done anything for you.”

“It’s a song that screams, ‘I don’t deserve this,’” Pierce said. “I hope the takeaway for listeners is exactly that. You don’t deserve the shit you’ve put up with and you’re stronger than this.”

I spoke with Pierce about her latest single ahead of an October 11 show at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Continue reading “The Power of Goodbye — Melanie Pierce Finds Closure From a Past Relationship on “Enough” Single” →

Feeling Seen and Validated — Moonwreckers Examines the Trajectory of Heartbreak and Grief on “Why Look Here?” Album

moonwreckers-1
Paul Stiem, Jamus Sumner, Matt Konkle, and Matt Galbraith of Moonwreckers. Photo by Chuck Marshall

After encountering heartbreak and grief, Moonwreckers understands the importance of feeling seen and validated.

The Metro Detroit quartet of Matt Galbraith (vocals, guitar), Matt Konkle (drums), Paul Stiem (guitar), and Jamus Sumner (bass, vocals) explores that emotional need and its evolution on the album, Why Look Here?

“It certainly is autobiographical. At the time, I was married, and we were having issues, and we did eventually divorce. A lot of these songs were written around the time when I was in my early 30s, so shit hit the fan between us and we had been together since we were 18 years old,” said Galbraith about the band’s indie-rock-meets-emo debut release.

“I didn’t know what a world looked like without that, so I was very lost, and it was scary to me what life looked like outside of that relationship. There’s some coming-of-age stuff in there, too, but a lot of it has to do with that relationship, the struggles and the attempts of trying to reconcile things, and then failing and rinse and repeat.”

Moonwreckers deeply examines that trajectory across 12 personal tracks on Why Look Here? The album’s honest lyrics, plaintive vocals, and evocative instrumentation prompt listeners to process their emotions and struggles alongside the band.

“There are so many universal themes here. Everyone’s gone through the experience of having a relationship that didn’t pan out to be what they wanted it to be,” Sumner said.

“Everyone’s gone through the frustration or the disappointment of misaligned expectations and incomplete communication and the moment someone passes or walks out of your life. There’s unfinished business and you have to work through that—except you won’t get an answer to everything.”

To learn more, I spoke with Moonwreckers about their latest album ahead of a July 26 show at Detroit’s Batch Brewing Company.

Continue reading “Feeling Seen and Validated — Moonwreckers Examines the Trajectory of Heartbreak and Grief on “Why Look Here?” Album” →

Inside Out – Easy Beach Seeks Catharsis on Punchy Self-Titled Debut Album

easy-beach-750
Easy Beach’s Sean Tarolli, Dave Laginess and Ian Cruz pack a memorable punch on their self-titled debut album. Photo courtesy of Easy Beach

Ian Cruz openly shares past internal struggles and releases lingering frustrations on Easy Beach’s mighty self-titled debut album.

The frontman for the Detroit emo/punk-rock trio chronicles the challenges of working a tough job, preserving a relationship, and tackling guilt and self-doubt across nine raw tracks.

“Using the band as an escape or some form of therapy, I wrote a lot about what I was dealing with. But truthfully, I think it’s the only way I can write—being sad,” Cruz said.

“I can’t be creative when I’m happy. It kinda bums me out because all of our peers write these poppy, catchy tunes, and I write songs that might make people depressed. I wish I could write a catchy song.”

Despite Cruz’s reservations, Easy Beach indeed writes “catchy” tunes—ones that instantly grasp listeners’ hurtling emotions and translate their discouraging realities into cathartic tales of life, love and growth.

Cruz’s fierce vocals and crunchy electric guitars and Laginess’ fearless bass repeatedly elicit that response alongside Sean Tarolli’s thunderous drums. (Bassist Dave Laginess joined the band midway through the album’s recording process.)

While only 24 minutes long, Easy Beach packs a memorable punch with its emotionally charged lyrics and propulsive instrumentation. Released via We’re Trying Records, the album is an efficient, intense therapy session for anyone who needs immediate relief.

“I was talking to Sean and Dave yesterday about this, and even though we’re finally putting the record out, I think we’re all a little jaded. For Sean and me, we’ve been playing these songs since we announced the record two years ago,” Cruz said.

“I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve played ‘Selena Gomez’ or how many times we’ve recorded different versions of the album. It’s nice to get this thing out, but we’re definitely ready to get working on the next one.”

To learn more about Easy Beach’s creative journey, I recently spoke with Cruz about writing and recording the band’s debut album, exploring the album’s highly personal tracks, playing shows this summer and working on new material.

Continue reading “Inside Out – Easy Beach Seeks Catharsis on Punchy Self-Titled Debut Album” →

To Be Continued – In a Daydream Finds Catharsis on ‘I Was a Victim of a Series of Accidents’ Single

DSC00043
In a Daydream’s Bryan Porter addresses the realities of recovery on “I Was a Victim of a Series of Accidents” with bandmates Jake Rees, Poppy Morawa and Adrian Clark. Not pictured Danny Van Zandt. Photo – Kris Herrmann

Bryan Porter sees life as an ongoing work in progress on “I Was a Victim of a Series of Accidents.”

The In a Daydream lead vocalist-guitarist candidly addresses the everyday challenges of recovering from addiction on the Detroit emo/indie-rock quintet’s latest single.

Alongside vulnerable synth and courageous electric guitar, bass and drums, Porter sings, “Yeah, I wanna say I’m all right today / But ‘clean’ feels like the wrong word to use / When it’s not just ‘what’ but ‘who’ you abuse.”

“I wanted this song to be the first one I put out after the last record, so I wanted to directly reference the last song on the last record. Toward the end of ‘Everything Hurt Beautifully (So It Goes),’ I sing, ‘I wanna say I’m alright today,’ and so I use those lyrics again in this song,” he said.

“The part where I say, ‘But ‘clean’ feels like the wrong word to use,’ means I’m not using drugs, like I’m technically clean, but that it doesn’t feel right still, and my work isn’t done.”

To learn more about In a Daydream’s strong work ethic, I chatted with Porter about his background, the band’s last full-length album, his road to recovery, the band’s latest single and their plans for the future.

Continue reading “To Be Continued – In a Daydream Finds Catharsis on ‘I Was a Victim of a Series of Accidents’ Single” →

Back in the Day – Ben Yost Unearths Deep Cuts for ‘Kickpop Records Sampler No. 1’ EP

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A new alt-folk/emo/indie rock compilation project transports Ben Yost back to past shows, favorite venues and life-changing friendships.

The Blank Tape Tax vocalist-guitarist specially curated the five-track EP via Kickpop Records to share deep cuts from Greet Death’s Logan Gaval, For Once in My Life, The Flaks and Broadacre as well as his current band.

“The most important music to me is my music and the music of my friends because it’s the soundtrack to my life. It makes me think of old venues like the Genesis, the old Sanctuary, Toepfer House and Elijah’s (Q-Nails),” said Yost, who’s based in Detroit.

“It also makes me think of our friendships and our time together as a family. Starting Kickpop Records is about releasing music for me and my friends and to maintain the catalogs of a few artists so their music will always be out there to listen to.”

Yost launched Kickpop Records, a small DIY label, during the pandemic and released his first project, KP-005, or Kickpop Records Sampler No. 1, on 10-inch vinyl earlier this summer. While the vinyl release quickly sold out, listeners can still spin the compelling, cerebral project via Spotify.

“KP-005 (or Kickpop Records Sampler No. 1) is just a little taste of what you might expect to hear in the future from Kickpop Records. The first three songs (Logan Gaval, Blank Tape Tax and For Once in My Life) all stick to a theme and were recorded on a Tascam Portatstudio. The last two songs are from out-of-print records of the two bands I drummed and wrote for – The Flaks and Broadacre,” Yost said.

“The idea for the (compilation) came from Broadacre bassist Matt Farrett. Matt and I were talking about releasing the nine-song Broadacre project, and he suggested we test the waters on a (compilation) first.”

Continue reading “Back in the Day – Ben Yost Unearths Deep Cuts for ‘Kickpop Records Sampler No. 1’ EP” →

Reality Check – 310AM’s Nate Erickson Gets ‘Real to Reel’ on New Revelatory Single

Nate Erickson has released three singles since launching his 310AM solo project last fall.

310AM shows every relationship needs a serious reality check.

The Ypsilanti indie rock singer-songwriter and guitarist confronts this personal challenge in his latest kinetic, revelatory single, “Real to Reel,” which dropped last week via all streaming platforms.

While only two minutes long, “Real to Reel” hauntingly unites the frantic, glistening instrumentation of Two Door Cinema Club with the lush, lingering harmonies of Local Natives.

Vivacious, swift guitars, rolling drums and spirited bass propel 310AM, aka Nate Erickson, toward an overdue conversation, as he emotionally reflects, “The loose ends and disarray/Relay both fear and regret/You ask if you can stay/We both know the answer you’ll get.”

“To me, this song was a way to reflect on how separation can affect a relationship. ‘Real to Reel’ is one of those songs that just came out of nowhere. All the guitar parts and melodies came to me real quickly in a way that I find impossible to recreate intentionally. I hope people find it as cathartic to listen to as it was for me to write,” said Erickson, who wrote, recorded and mixed the track himself.

“Real to Reel” single artwork

Erickson also vividly depicts the succinct “Real to Reel” struggle through a refreshing Marian Obando animated video, which chronicles the relational scuffles of Millennials living in the city. Frustrated couples and friends navigate urban life and ride a double-decker bus in search of answers.

“I found her work through a band called Dead Rituals, and she did a music video for their song ‘Closer’ that I really enjoyed. I’ve wanted to do an animated video for a while, and some of my favorite music videos are animated – ‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead and ‘Open Passageways’ by All Them Witches. I reached out to Marian to see if she would be interested in working together and loved the ideas she had for the project,” he said.

As a newly-timed solo project, Erickson has released a trio of striking 310AM singles since November, including the dreamy, atmospheric guitar-driven track, “Paint Me Red,” and the escalating, divisionary anthem, “Expectations of a Failed Equation.”

In August, Erickson departed the indie rock trio After Hours Radio, which released two EPs, built a strong regional following and launched a well-respected, do-it-yourself (DIY) basement venue, The Late Station, in Ypsilanti.

Through 310AM, Erickson seamlessly combines Midwest indie rock with propulsive pop-punk emo sensibilities and seeks inspiration from Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance and Jimmy Eat World. His growing catalog of tracks also creates a sense of nostalgia for the emo-alt glory days of the early-2000s.

With a modern outlook on a nostalgic sound, Erickson continues to write and record new 310AM tracks and collaborate on demos with Mark Bosch, vocalist-guitarist for the Ann Arbor indie rock quartet Stop Watch.

“I have rough demos for four or five 310AM songs now that I would love to put together into a new EP this year. I feel that my writing is getting stronger with each track, and this next EP will take the 310AM sound in a really cool direction. Hopefully, I can use this time of isolation to make some progress on those,” Erickson said.