What do you consider to be the darkest piece of music you’ve ever heard?
MY: First, thank you so much for all of your support and for the interview! The first darkest record that comes to mind for me is The Unreleased Themes for Hellraiser by Coil. Or any Coil for that matter! Very creative and dark duo. Another slightly more mainstream dark favorite of mine is The Cure’s Pornography. The entire collection of songs has clearly stood the test of time.
Bryan: Ha, no question those are dark. I think for me what comes to mind is John Zorn’s 1987 record Spillane. I love gritty crime books and growing up in Appalachia and living in Texas I’ve come to appreciate that some of the darkest stuff happens in broad daylight. On Spillane you’re already in another world of excitement when during the third track Albert Collins starts this narration that just lifts it even further into dark seediness. It’s terrific.
How would you characterize your own music?
Bryan: Funny you should ask that, because I really struggle to talk about music I’ve had a role in writing. I usually default to saying things that include the words Dark Wave and Danceable, but I don’t usually know what I’m talking about regarding stuff I’ve participated in. Maybe because I don’t usually think about it after it’s written.
What are your musical aspirations?
Bryan: I love playing our music live so I’d like to continue to do so as often as we can.
MY: Music to me is about connecting to people, both friends and strangers. Writing, producing, and performing helps me feel I’m a part of something much larger. At this point, it’s more of an addiction.
Jarrod: Continuing to create and perform music with these guys.
What are your main musical inspirations?
Bryan: There’s too many artists to mention for sure so maybe if we were to highlight genres and sounds. The most obvious of course is that particular type of post-punk that came from what we feel like is Bauhaus interpreting Bowie but already mentioning them it’s like, and this person and this person and this person. So maybe more like sounds and feels. Late 70’s early 80’s post punk, early new-wave, 60s and 70s film scores, anytime there’s the combo of gritty synths, fuzzy basses, saxophones, crooning vocals. Probably about 1,000,000 things inspire us. Sorry, I think I’m overwhelmed when I start thinking about how fortunate we are to have access to so much music and so many artists.
Jarrod: Anything that impacts the brain chemistry and engages the "feel-good" neurotransmitters. It can be an artist, a song, a phrase or just an isolated instrument. Echoing Bryan - I feel there are way too many sources to pin it down to a few main inspirations. I just know it when I hear it.
What are your main goals in life?
Bryan: Honestly, doing well over feeling good. I like where we are now, still working hard to create music we like and to share it with others.
Jarrod: That’s a tough question as I find my goals are continually shifting, but for me personally, I’d have to say living life more in the moment. In a world driven largely by data, technology and never ending deadlines, I’m really trying to focus on the joy found in the immediate simpler things. Music is huge in that regard, both as an active musician as well as a passive listener.
What motivates you to create?
Bryan: I think this goes back to what you asked about inspirations. You hear something or see something or feel something or think something and it needs an outlet. It’s really more of a channeling of energy. It’s the “neither created nor destroyed” law of thermodynamics. You can’t keep in what wants out.
Jarrod: For me, it’s a rush to produce something “real” that previously was only electrical impulses firing around in the brain. It’s very cathartic. When said creation impacts others around you - it just renews the motivation to do it again.
Are you more of an early bird or a night owl?
MY: I’m more of a night owl. I always seem to get a burst of creative energy way later than I should!
Bryan: I have become an early bird. See above “darkness in broad daylight”. :-)
Jarrod: I’m completely a night owl by choice, but unfortunately I also need to be an early bird by need. Suffice it to say, I don’t get much sleep.
Besides music, what other art forms would you like to explore?
MY: I’m a graphic designer as well, which gives me another creative avenue to explore. And fortunately, it helps with band related posters, album art, and merch design. I find many parallels in the design and music creative process.
Jarrod: I love to sketch and watercolor. The culinary world is another fun and creative outlet that I often enjoy dabbling in.
Which is the very first record that had a big impact on you?
MY: I think the first record that really influenced me would have Depeche Mode’s Black Celebration. The combination of sound design through early synths and samplers, and emotional songwriting gave me a sense of hope and belonging during the darkest time in my life: middle school. I still love listening to it.
Bryan: Great record for sure. I’m not sure how or why but my parents had the Mondo Cane soundtrack. For some reason I loved it so much as a kid and I still do.
What is the best decade for music?
Bryan: I don’t think there is such a thing really. Great music happens all the time, you may just have to look harder some times than others.
My: Yeah, I really do listen to music across many decades. Obviously, you’ll hear the influence of a certain time period in our style, but we do pull ideas from both new and much older artists and genres.
Jarrod: I can’t pin down any specific decade. My playlist has random musical nuggets that span the last 100 years. It’s all in the “ear of the beholder”.
What do your future plans include?
Bryan: Tour this record and hopefully introduce our music to more people.
Jarrod: Likely making a cocktail and dropping some vinyl on the console. Anything after that is a complete mystery at the moment.
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King of Sorrows releases February 27, 2026 via No-Count Records.
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Jupe Jupe
Band photography by Ed Sozinho
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