Band Influences
DRU: Who are your biggest influences from a band perspective? Anyone who has a story to tell. Artists who are building their own world, even if it’s messy or hard to define. We’re drawn more to intent and identity than genre — where you can hear that something personal is driving it rather than just chasing a sound.
Musician Influences
DRU: Any specific guitar player, bass player, or drummer influences? There are too many to list. It changes depending on what we’re listening to at any given time. More than individual names, it’s usually moments — or the way someone approaches space in a song — that end up sticking with us and working their way into what we create.
Sound & Style
DRU: How would you describe your sound? We aim for something thoughtfully cosmic, pulling from desert, stoner, 70s, and general rock influences. We try to sound like whatever the song and story need — sometimes straightforward, sometimes more layered — always resisting a formula.
Band Origins
DRU: How did the band form and come together? It was the culmination of playing in a variety of bands and touring together for many years. Eventually we decided to try something different from what we’d done in the past and see where it would lead.
Songwriting Process
DRU: What’s your songwriting process? During the demo process, we send files back and forth to communicate initial ideas and structures. Once we get in the same room with our instruments, that’s when things really start to shift. We try different approaches and sounds, letting the songs evolve naturally. As the songs take shape, so does the story.
Recording Process
DRU: Describe the recording process. Is it done by sending files to each other, or is everyone in the studio? For this album, we recorded with our friend Chris Hoge (of the band Bad Bad Hats) and couldn’t have been happier with his expertise, patience, and willingness to experiment. He took our tracks to the next level — and he’s just a good dude.
New Album Overview
DRU: Describe your new release and what makes it different from previous releases. This is our first album and the first chapter in the story of Jesse Stilettö. We’re excited to share it and hope you’ll stick around for the rest as the story unfolds.
Collaboration Wishlist
DRU: One or two artists or bands you’d like to collaborate with? We’d be open to an invitation from any artist, regardless of popularity or skill. If ideas connect and the chemistry is there, it would be a shame not to create something together.
Tour Plans
DRU: Any plans for an upcoming tour? Right now, we’re just a studio project, but if the right opportunity comes along, you never know.
Preferred Music Formats
DRU: Best format — vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, or downloads (regardless of current popularity)? Each format has its pros and cons. Physical media holds a special place for us — we have mountains of CDs and have been known to go on vinyl‑store binges. At the same time, you can’t underestimate the unexpected reach and connection that digital releases can create for people.