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In this episode, we sit down with Mat Kerekes, the multifaceted frontman of Citizen, to dive deep into his solo work, his ever-evolving approach to music, and his unique balance of passion projects. Whether it’s fronting an iconic band like Citizen, writing his own songs as a solo artist, or stepping into the role of a producer, Mat seems to do it all—and do it well.
Mat's most recent solo release, To Dream of Something Wicked, dropped on Wax Bodega to rave reviews, and in this interview, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the record. As Mat explains, the album was a labor of love that came together organically during a transitional time in his life. Written and recorded while moving back home, he unintentionally tapped into a sound that echoed his 2016 release Luna & the Wild Blue Everything—an album that established his solo sound. But with this latest project, Mat says, “This record is just me,” showing that he's not trying to emulate anyone or anything. He’s comfortable with who he is, and that authenticity is reflected in the music.
We also explore Mat's evolving relationship with Citizen, touching on the 10-year anniversary of Youth in 2023 (which, for Mat, marked a turning point in both his career and his personal life). He shares funny and heartfelt stories from those early days of the band, as well as his growth—from an insecure high school kid to a driven musician who balances his time between creating, performing, and pursuing other passions like Muay Thai and video games.
As we discuss his solo career, Mat reveals that his solo music often happens during downtime from Citizen. While the band will always be his main focus, his solo work offers a refreshing outlet—one that allows him to write without the pressure of a larger team. In fact, his solo endeavors have been more low-key with little press or touring, but we can expect a short 2-3 week stretch in 2025, with Mat playing a handful of dates before moving on to the next phase of his career.
If there’s one thing that stands out about Mat, it’s his ability to fully dedicate himself to whatever he does. Whether it’s music, the gym, or martial arts, he gives it everything he’s got. A self-proclaimed gym rat who’s constantly training, Mat is someone who truly takes advantage of the 24 hours in a day, leaving no room for regrets.
We had a blast chatting with Mat—his humor, honesty, and passion shine through in this conversation. Be sure to listen to the full interview for insights into Mat's creative process, his growth as both an artist and a person, and of course, some great stories from the road with Citizen.
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What can we say about Speed and their iconic hit record Only One Mode that hasn't already been said? If you're a hardcore fan, you know the vibe. This lovable group from Australia brings everything you could ask for: raw energy, relentless drive, and authenticity on and off the stage. They’re more than just a band; they’re an unstoppable force in hardcore, breaking boundaries worldwide.
In this latest episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Jem from Speed. Going into this, I knew I was a HUGE fan. But after diving into Jem’s past interviews, I could see why Speed resonates so deeply with fans. Jem’s responses are thoughtful, warm, and make you feel like you've been friends for years.
In my pre-interview deep dive/preparation, I stumbled on a post by one of the band members' parents—it was a true celebration of the band’s journey. You can see the genuine love they have for each other. From holiday gatherings to major events, Speed is more than a band; they’re family.
What was supposed to be an 1-hour convo turned into an epic 2-hour hangout (sorry, Jem!). Tate and I walked away feeling like we made a friend. Huge thanks to Jem for being so open and genuine. We’ll always be fans of Speed!
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In this episode, we dive deep with Sam and Skylar of Been Stellar as tearlier in the year they celebrated the release of their debut album, Scream from New York, NY. Having crafted their musical bond since the age of 14, the duo reflects on the evolution of their sound from singles and EPs to a full-length record.
Join us as they share the story behind the album—how the pressure of previous EP's success fueled their desire to create something raw and authentic. Sam and Skylar discuss their mission to deliver emotionally resonant lyrics that defy trends and showcase their unique identity as a band.
With the vibrant backdrop of New York City as their canvas, they explore the challenges and triumphs of relocating from Michigan to the bustling metropolis. Discover how their shared experiences in a new city shaped their music and lyrics, and how they navigated a scene marked by the closure of historic venues. It took away from that magical notion that musical dreams could be created in NYC. However, determination carried them up to this point as they found ways to throw their own shows early on at venues such as art galleries.
This episode is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the power of friendship in the ever-evolving music landscape. Tune in to hear the heartfelt sounds of Been Stellar and understand what it truly means to scream from New York!
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This week, we sit down with Adrian from Luster to dive deep into their creative process and the unique dynamics of the band. We discuss how they manage to blend emotional vulnerability with a sound that's evolved over the years.
Highlights Include:
The surprising fact that, despite playing shoegaze the most, it's what Adrian listens to the least! The origins of Luster as a "bedroom project," with Adrian and Alvin sending ideas back and forth, allowing the rest of the band to contribute at their own pace. How Adrian and Alvin’s friendship began 10+ years ago at California shows, not as childhood friends, but as kindred spirits shaped by a shared culture and humor. Adrian's thoughts on embracing emotion in music, especially within Latin culture, where expressing feelings is often discouraged. Why moving to a small town of just 400 people has given Adrian the peace and space he needs to be creative. Reflections on the band's emo-adjacent sound and how Adrian’s emotional experiences influence his lyrics.Plus, Adrian shares stories of growing up listening to everything from Nu Metal to Slayer, and the band tattoos that have left a lasting mark: Morrissey, Unbroken, Psychic TV, and Swans.
This episode is filled with honest insights and reflections from a band that started with a simple mission—to play music with friends—and has checked off dream collaborations along the way. Don’t miss out on this amazing conversation!
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In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of a band that emerged from the fusion of passion and persistence. Our story begins a decade ago with Eric Stenman, who was writing heavier music that he never imagined would reach the public eye. Eric's early musical journey intertwined with Aaron Bruno's in the late '90s through their shared love for hardcore music. Despite their separate creative paths —Eric focusing on music production and Aaron eventually forming Awolnation—they would later find a way to create a band together (although they have been working together for years with Aaron writing for Awolantion and Eric producing all of the records).
After years of Eric leaning more towards production and not playing much instrumentals, Aaron, having heard some of Eric’s latest work, was impressed and wanted to continue on other songs. This pivotal moment led to the formation of a new band that stands apart from traditional music paths. Unlike many bands that spend years on the road in a van, this group is driven by their love for hardcore music and are doing it because their passions align.
With four songs already released, including the recent track "Bazooka" on August 2, listeners can expect some exciting surprises and new directions from this band. The new record will be out on October 4th
In our conversation with Eric, we also explored his impressive career as a producer. Since 1997, he’s avoided the day job to build a notable resume working with bands like Deftones, Weezer, Thrice, Dashboard Confessional, Senses Fail, and Awolnation. We asked Eric to reflect on his experiences with these iconic groups, providing listeners with insightful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.
Tune in to hear about the origins of the band, their unique approach to music, and Eric’s reflections on his storied career in the industry.
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We had Vince of Modern Color on to talk about "There Goes the Dream." The writing process for their latest record was fragmented, as Vince has been personally juggling other projects and endeavors—being on the road with Militarie Gun while still touring with Modern Color. It took a little longer to write because they thrive on getting in a room together and bouncing ideas off each other. Nonetheless, the wait was well worth it. Usually, Fleming or Chad come in with a full song, and they start jamming to develop those ideas. The best part? They can be real with each other and give productive feedback. That all led to the carefully crafted songs on "There Goes the Dream." It was a recipe for success for the band.
This record is all about making intentional changes. They focused on Fleming’s writing and vocals first, instead of writing the music and adding lyrics later. Modern Color also got more personal with their songwriting, shortening the song lengths, and becoming more direct. These songs tell the story of growing up in the South Bay, surrounded by music everywhere they went. "Where’s Kevin" is one of those stories—it's a handwritten apology to Fleming's mom about sneaking out as a kid. The title itself stems from a building manager who was never around when he was needed. And there’s something for everyone, even an acoustic track like "Night Swim."
Growing up in the metalcore scene in the South Bay, they played the same venues with the same bands every weekend. It felt stale, and that's when they realized they wanted to do something different. Since then, it’s been a journey of finding the band's sound and pushing it in a new direction—that’s been the driving force behind Modern Color.
Balancing tours has shown Vince the importance of a stable lineup for the band to grow and continue to progress. As they reach 10 years with Modern Color, they reflect on the chemistry built from growing up together. Though our lineup wasn’t solidified until they wrote "Pale" in Vince’s room in 2015, the DIY spirit that started it all continues to push them forward. They are moving ahead, but they also know there’s still so much work left to do. Stick around until the end to hear personal stories from Vince duing our "lighning round." I really loved hearing why Vince explain how he was fidgity as a kid and was always drumming against some type of surface.
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Tate jumps behind the mic for an exclusive interview with Grant from Hear to Gold!
We chat about everything from new jams leading to a 10-song record coming out at a later date. The journey started out with self-producing the first album and eventually the band teamed up with Memory Music. Now they are a force in the music scene just recently working alongside the incredible Will Yip which has been a game changer.
While their writing process remains consistent, collaborating with a broader team outside the band has fueled their fire even more. The motivation is at an all-time high, and the band is stoked about what's coming next.
Grant opens up about his thoughts on corporate music and how it contrasts with his true vision of what music and art should be. Keeping his morals intact, he's managed to balance two jobs while making it clear that his passion for music—and touring—comes first.
Oh, and did we mention that Tate and Grant have a serious appreciation for Weezer? I think most will love this part of the conversation!
There's also a fun conversation about genre classification which in Grant's mind is totally subjective. But one thing’s for sure—their energy behind every song is 100% authentic and natural. If you haven't yet, make sure to check out Heart to Gold's new song "TNT" which came out at the end of July.
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We’re super excited to share our latest episode featuring Brendan Dyer and Yarden Erez of Milly!
Their 2024 record, "Your Own Becoming," released on June 28, has been one of my most anticipated albums this year for me, especially after the single "Drip From the Fountain" dropped. This album is easily in my top 5 for 2024!
The band started crafting this masterpiece on a New Year’s Day when Brendan decided it was time to make a record. It was a coming together moment where they realized that they needed to go hard on the new songs. They poured their hearts into the songs, meeting three times a week and pushing their creative limits. This album marks a comeback for Brendan, who wasn’t entirely happy with their first full-length album.
In this episode, we dive into some cool stories behind the songs - especially a fun fact about one of the songs coming their way in a trade from waveform*. Also, "Drip From the Fountain" almost didn’t make it onto the record after they were told it didn't have the juice? It eventually became the first single released leading into the record.
This podcast had a different start to it where we used a lightening round of questions to learn about the background of the group. We had silly questions like most meaningful band tee they own and superstitions amongst the group (like the amazing response Brendan gives - *cough* Panda Express *cough cough*). But, there are also questions that allow us to learn about how the band formed and the journey leading up to this most recent release. There's also a fun conversation about some of the tours they are tagging along for such as Basement, Fiddlehead, and Balance and Composure.
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We are to have Joey Vannucci of From Indian Lakes on to discuss his new record, "Head Void", which was released on May 15! This is his first FIL album since 2019, and it was worth the wait.
"Head Void" is a very organic, pick-up-the-guitar-and-bang-on-the-drums type of record. None of these songs were sitting around for long—they were all written and finished within a couple of months. Each track brings a unique sound, continuing his tradition of exploring different musical landscapes with every release.
While Joe Vann, his solo project, marked a significant chapter in his career, releasing three albums in three years, he is now building on all the music he created while starting FIL. This interview has a little bit of everything. Joey grew up on 40 acres of land and then moved to New York City when his wife landed a job. For some that would be a culture shock, but it wasn't a difficult adjustment for Joey. NYC offered so many amazing opportunities, especially within music.
In this episode, we also dive into 90s and early 2000s TV shows, video games, and there's even a little NBA playoffs discussion thrown in for good measure.
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During a recent music lull, podcasts dominated my morning commute until Pissed Jeans shook me awake with their new record! The song "Moving On" hit me like a lightning bolt – from the killer intro riff to those raw, punk vocals, it was pure magic. Their latest album "Half Divorced" reaffirmed my punk roots, reminding me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place.
These guys aren't just a band; they're a rebellion against the mundane. Taking a break from adulting, they crank out music that's loud, unapologetic, and utterly captivating. Randall Huth brought their story to life on the podcast – trust me, it's a wild ride worth tuning into.
If you haven't already, crank up "Half Divorced" and let Pissed Jeans transport you to a time when punk ruled and conformity was nowhere in sight. Don't miss out – this is punk rock at its finest!
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Get ready to switch gears with us as Tate Daniels, the wizard behind the editing scenes, steps into the limelight for an electrifying interview with the entire Riley! band!
Fresh off the press, their latest record "Keep Your Cool" dropped on April 19, and if you haven't tuned in yet, well, you might just be Patrick Star living under a rock. This full-length masterpiece marks a monumental moment for the trio since joining Counter Intuitive Records, adding another gem to the label's star-studded catalog of bangers.
Mark your calendars because this Texas threesome is hitting the road starting late June, with shows lined up all the way through July. Until then, keep those speakers blasting with their latest tunes and dive into the behind-the-scenes scoop in our interview - trust us, you won't want to miss out on the fun facts about the lovable Riley!
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We were lucky enough to catch Mercedes Arn-Horn of Softcult on the same day of when they released their new hit single, One of the Pack. It's a song with a special and important meaning that Mercedes gives her honest and authentic self during the song and while talking about it on our podcast. In the words of Mercedes, "In Softcult we pride ourselves on being femnists and advocating for equality in every shape-and-form. We are kind of bringing back riot grrl ethos to the shoegaze world." There is still an ongoing debate about who belongs where and this song spotlights that there can discomfort at times for women - even in the music community. It's an absolute jam with an incredibly paramount message beind it. If anything, this song shows that Softcult is ready for the big stage with another gem of a song.
What catches my attention most about this band is that nothing has been handed to them. They have seen adversity and are stronger as a group because of it. It helps that Softcult is centered around twins (Mercedes & Phoenix) who share a similar vision. But, in the beginning they had a small taste of success when a major label signed them at a young age. This positive feeling only lasted for so long when they saw business side of music. After putting in countless hours and seeing a long list of their songs shot down - they made the decision to go out on their own. They now make every decision surrounding the band. The twins even go as far as doing all of the production, art work, tour scheduling, and most importantly, picking which songs get released to the public. Mercedes and Phoenix decided to bet on themselves and it worked out!
Tate and I really enjoyed having Mercedes join us for an epic conversation. There's even a portion of the interview where we all talk about horror movies! We will release Mercedes' favorites later in the week.
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We have a good one for you tonight! While the Richmond, VA crowd gets to see Glitterer live (jealous, much!) we are dishing out an interview with Ned Russin. For several years now several of my friends have been sending me music whenever Glitterer released songs. Ned's new project, that officially came to be in 2017 when he released a self-title album, quickly grew on me. Whenever someone has a successful project, it's often tough to seperate oneself from that image. However, Ned had a goal in mind and quickly got to work - creating the songs mostly on his own by playing every instrument except for the drums. While Ned had a plan and hit the ground running with Glitterer, this project recently welecomed other members into the band. These members played an "instrumental" role in creating the album the record, Rationale (released in February of this year). It also seems like they will continue to be a main stay for the live experience and possibly future releases.
Ned has been consistently touring since he was 19-years old after he dropped out of college to do the band exclusevely. The only schedule Ned has known is being on the road. But, he has since put a focus on other things such as finishing up his degree and working at a record store. Glitterer tours when they can and it's always a special moment whenever someone can catch them live. There are a lot of fun stories in this one such as studying on the road while in Title Fight, his parents valuing an education, writing an releasing a book three years ago (Horizontal Rust - check it out!), and looking up to his older brother during the early years.
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Kevin Devine is someone that every young musician should listen to. Throughout this conversation he gave some of the most well thought out responses I have seen on the podcast. He analyzes everything and looks at music from a lense that not every musician can see through. He is also a genuine personality and is one of the nicest people out there. The interview itself was all over the place - It started with living on Staten Island covering Nirvana songs and ended with a quick conversation about how terrible our favorite sports organizations are. This is truly a must listen so tune it up and let us know your thoughts!
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Matt Pryor joined us to talk about his new book, "Red Letter Days" which hit shelves on January 23. He left us with a ton of great advice for young musicians and took a deep dive in a good chunk of the fun stories that appear in this book. It's certainly a page turner so pick up a copy if you have not done so already!
Purchase the book here:
https://polyvinylrecords.com/product/red_letter_days
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I’m going to take you back to about a year ago. It was February of 2023 and Gouge Away was in the midst of a return. This was after several years of staying relatively quiet and a behind the scenes breakup. Gouge Away was in Portland having a band practice when they reached out to Militarie Gun about showing up to watch them play on a kick-ass bill of Spiritual Cramp and Supercrush. Ian Shelton and the rest of the members of Militarie Gun had other plans for the night. After some convincing, they set up plans for Gouge Away to make an epic return. In the middle of their set they turned the spotlight over to Gouge Away, who came on the stage to play two songs (One new). It was a night to remember and got the ball rolling for the new music that Gouge Away planned to eventually release. "Idealized" came out shortly after, and the band released "Stuck in a Dream" on January 9. This is setting the table for Deep Sage to arrive on March 15. It’s a record that Christina Michelle says will be different, and at times “weird,” but if the first two songs tell us anything: it’s that Gouge Away hasn’t lost a step. This group is ready to not only break through the surface, but also become one of the premier hardcore bands. It has been a rollercoaster of a ride for the group. They released Burnt Sugar in 2018 and toured non-stop up until the pandemic. Then came the low-key breakup where Christina Michelle never thought the band would be together again. Now, the band is back, with a refreshed sound, a mature outlook, and ready to show the world that they are here to stay.
Gouge Away: Website - https://www.gougeaway.com/ Bandcamp - https://gougeawayfl.bandcamp.com/album/deep-sage -
For a majority of his music career, Erik Kase Romero has been behind the scenes. Romero has developed into a prominent music producer – most notably working with the Front Bottoms (also plays instrumentals in the live experience), Lorde, and the Bouncing Souls. Romero has developed a name for himself in the industry and his musical genius is something that musicians desire. A quick peek at his website takes the viewer into a magical journey that involves a large list of production. It’s a list that would be considered a “dream” for anyone just breaking into the business. Romero is now a seasoned veteran and in some ways can be picky when thinking about who he will invite to his home studio next.
Romero has been involved in bands on the local circuit for years now. But, what seemed like a silly idea, quickly became a reality over the past year. Romero made the decision to branch out with his abilities and start a solo project. While it has been a great success so far, it was no easy decision. As previously stated, Romero has always been in the background through production and instrumentals in various groups. His solo act is serving as a time where he has the mic and the listeners get to hear his powerful words. His single still already caught the listener’s attention for how vulnerable and relatable Romero is through his lyrics. While Romero will continue to push his songs through social media and has several live shows coming up, he does not care for commercial success. This project is not meant to result in headlining huge venues, but instead it’s another chance to grow as a musical mind, and have some fun while doing so. How to be still and still be here is set to be released tomorrow. Make sure to give it a listen and support Romero as he takes on this solo adventure.
Audio edited by Tate Daniels
Graphic by Rosemary Young
Host Steven Macri
Instagram - @behindthevinylpod
X - @BehindVinyl
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When you sit back and think about some of the centerpieces of hardcore punk in the early 2000's, Paint it Black will instantly come to mind. Especially in the Philadelphia area. Philadelphia has a long history of great bands that paved the way for what music music is today. Paint it Black fits that category. One of the most exciting news of this year is when Paint it Black decided to release "Famine." It was the band's first full-length record since 2008 and it did not miss. The biggest praise I can say about this group is that they have not lost their sound. I could have been told that this record was from 20+ years ago when Paint it Black was first forming and I would have believed it. They still have the same energy and are sticking to their roots. The band's story is known by now - they came together when another legendary Philadelphia based group, Kid Dynamite, decided to hang up the band tees, and call it quits. Dan Yemin was still had the same drive from the beginning of Kid Dynamite and wanted to continue making music, so he decided to turn things up a notch and form Paint it Black. Instead of sitting with a guitar on the stage, he decided to switch over to vocals, because no matter what, the band will continue as long as the singer is still there.
It was a huge honor to have an established musician like Andy Nelson on. Punk music is engraved deep in his heart and it was a true pleasure to hear some of his inspirations. This included a fantastic conversation about Dillinger Four. "Famine" is a record I can play from start to finish, so while we were on the inspirations conversation, we discussed what he believes makes a "perfect" record. Continously, we really explored this album and heard about what it took to make this record. While the band doesn't tour much anymore, everyone should make it a point to see them if they are ever in your city. Spoiler alert- there might be a conversation about Nelson's other band, Ceremony, making a surprise appearance at Sound and Fury.
Intro by Rainville
Audio edits by Tate Daniels
Flyer by Rosemary Young
Host Steven Macri
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We are joined by the real Kevin Hart* of Public Opinion which has been a fun new discovery in 2023 and ready to take on the world in 2024. The band is extremely underrated but with a full catalogue of new songs waiting to be released, the group should see a welcoming success in the near future. Hart, who has a rich history of playing in several different groups, said that he wants to release the new songs over an extended period of time rather than having them hit streaming services all at once. This way the band can dodge the burnout feeling that counless bands are subjected to during the hustle and the listeners have the opportunity to savor the songs one at a time. Although Hart works a full-time job, he has accepted the amount of hours that this band will take in order to find success. That includes recording, hitting the road for tour, and doing the tedious admin tasks such as merch designs. While Public Opinion is relatively new, they have already seen several different live lineups. Hart is willing to play with anyone who has a vision and is open to the idea of a rotating group of instrumentals. Public Opinion also has a support circle as they release music through Convulse Records - a label that features Gel and MSPAINT. Hart also discusses his long standing friendship with Ian Shelton and how Shelton always had the goal of bringing back fast hardcore music. Shelton has been in Public Opinon's corner since the start and continues to make a difference by offering support to up-and-coming bands. Brace yourselves... 2024 should be a year of headlines for Public Opinion. The momentum started with the release of "Bug" back in September.
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Charmer's music has always been a powerful exploration of mental health, and "Rose Thorns" is no exception. What's different this time? The lyrics have matured, and the songs are all about moving forward from the mental health struggles that life throws our way. It's a journey towards finding clarity and purpose in life. David believes this new music takes him back to the "early Charmer" days. Get ready for some amazing harmonies and a huge emphasis on guitar playing in these tracks!
In this interview, David opens up about the challenges Charmer faced and the ultimate motivation that drives them today. After college, David took a bold step by moving to the East Coast, fully committing himself to the world of music. The band self-released several EPs, but the growth they hoped for just didn't materialize. It was a tough period. Undeterred, when things didn't go as planned, David decided to return to Michigan with Neil. They had a handful of songs left, so they recorded them, almost like a parting gift to the band. Little did they know, this would mark a turning point.
In 2017, Charmer did five dates with Free Throw, and it marked a turning point for them. Prior to that, they had been slogging it out on some pretty tough DIY tours. These tours, while memorable, were often in front of small crowds and with very little money to show for it. Charmer's journey continued with the release of their first LP, but for the first six months, there was radio silence. The album didn't take off right away, and they had to rely on word of mouth to get some attention. It was only when their second record came out that things really started to change. People began to listen to both albums, and Charmer's music started to gain traction.
The pandemic brought a lot of downtime and changes for everyone, including Charmer. They found themselves dealing with family obligations and even David hitting the road with Hot Mulligan, which demanded his focus. However, this past year has been a turning point. They finally had the opportunity to sit down and get back to making music. The result? The band feels like they've improved significantly.
We are happy that David and Charmer are writing music again. Check out "Rose Thorns" and let us know what you think. Also, make sure to catch Charmer, Free Throw, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, and Saturday's At Your Place on tour! This is just the beginning of an exciting musical direction, and we can't wait to share more with you. Stay tuned for more updates!
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