Hear the September 2026 reveal
The provided text features interviews with three artists—Paul Dunne, Loose Buttons, and Darby31—who share overlapping themes about the nature of sound, influence, and navigating the music world during uncertain times.
Here is a synthesis of the key perspectives shared by each artist:
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🎸 Paul Dunne (Sounds like: Kyuss and Fu Manchu)
On Sound and Approach:
Dunne describes his musical approach as seeking a sound that exists between “rusted and polished, vintage and modern.” He emphasizes that his sound is defined by intention rather than strict genre, aiming to craft a compelling “full-band” sonic universe. He leans into loud, distorted music but fluctuates based on what he intends to record.
Influences:
His creative direction is informed by a mix of garage rock energy (Ty Segall, Osees), classic rock depth (Television’s Marquee Moon, Nick Drake), and alternative/indie acts (Courtney Barnett, Slint, Stereolab).
View on the Music World:
He is drawn to the analog resurgence, finding benefit in tape recordings where a loss in fidelity can be accommodated by a gain in personality. He hopes that live music will find a new, tangible personality by the 2030s, preferring a connection to a more physical world.
Music as Guidance:
For Dunne, music acts as a guide through uncertainty, embodying the mantra: “My world’s on fire, how ‘bout yours? That’s the way I like it and I’ll never get bored.”
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🤘 Loose Buttons (Sounds like: Fountains of Wayne on Amphetamine Reptile)
On Sound and Approach:
The band’s philosophy is deliberately simple: the magic comes from the collective experience of the four members in a room. Their focus is on the immediate energy of making music together.
Influences:
Their sound is a collage, borrowing ingredients from diverse eras and genres. They draw inspiration from New York rock staples (The Strokes), British alternative (The Cure, The Smiths, Blur, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys), seeking to mix and match these influences to create something unique.
View on the Music World:
They embrace the idea that there is no single path in music. They find excitement in the decentralized way music is consumed—a song can find an audience in a hundred different ways—and appreciate the spontaneous, unmanufactured nature of musical discovery.
Music as an Escape:
Music serves as a necessary counterbalance to the world’s uncertainty, offering an escape and a place to focus attention.
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⚡ Darby31 (Sounds like: Ska-punk pop goodness from Cleveland, Ohio)
On Sound and Approach:
Darby31’s sound is a juxtaposition: blending intimate, sometimes dark lyricism with the upbeat, joyful energy of ska music, sprinkled with lighthearted humor. His writing stems from a personal, self-centered, romantic worldview.
Influences:
His musical journey began with Ska, inspired by bands like Less Than Jake (Borders and Boundaries). His most profound influence is Andrew McMahon, whose timeless work deeply resonates with him. He is also heavily influenced by emotionally honest bands like Alkaline Trio (Shame is True) and the evocative quality of Death Cab For Cutie (Kintsugi).
Personal Story & Name:
His act name, Darby31, is deeply personal, rooted in memories of a loved one and childhood friendships, highlighting how personal history can shape creative identity.
View on the Music World:
He is excited by the potential for new artistic paths. While he hopes for accessible live music experiences (aiming for lower concert ticket prices), he ultimately emphasizes the magic of music itself—its ability to evoke powerful emotions, create memories, and serve as a time machine.
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🌐 Overarching Themes
Across all three artists, several themes emerge:
1. The Power of Connection: Whether it’s the immediate energy of a band playing together (Loose Buttons), the shared experience of a live show, or the deep connection to an artistic philosophy (Darby31’s reverence for McMahon), music is fundamentally a tool for connection.
2. Authenticity vs. Artifice: There is a tension between embracing raw, unfiltered expression (Dunne’s distortion, the analog sound) and the layered, intentional construction of sound (Darby31’s lyrical complexity).
3. Music as Refuge: In an uncertain world, music is portrayed as a powerful antidote—an escape, a time machine, and a source of potent, unforgettable emotional reality.
4. Evolving Discovery: Artists are fascinated by how music is discovered and consumed, realizing that there is no single right path, and that new ways of finding audiences are constantly emerging.
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