Huddy on 'Burn the Ballroom Down' & Why Emo is a Spirit, Not Just a Look
"I really love instrumentation and production and lyrics and... giving people a feeling that they can relate to." Joining us from the seclusion of the Artist Lounge at Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, Huddy breaks down what it means to be an artist in the modern alternative scene. While often associated with the new wave of pop-punk, this conversation dives deep into the music history and influences that shape his sound—specifically his current obsession with heavy hitters like I Prevail and the "violent nature" of their tracks.We explore the "spirit of emo," moving past the aesthetic to focus on the raw instrumentation and relatable lyrics that defined the genre's history. Huddy opens up about festival anxiety, the frustration of set-time conflicts, and the sonic evolution behind his new single, "Burn the Ballroom Down." Whether you are a nostalgic millennial or discovering the scene today, this episode connects the dots between personal growth and the changing landscape of alternative music. Key Topics & Timestamps:Introduction: Soaking in the weather at Vans Warped Tour OrlandoDealing with festival anxiety and watching from the Artist LoungeCurrent heavy rotation: Discovering I Prevail and "Violent Nature"The Artist’s Dilemma: Playing a set while your favorite band is on stageDefining the Genre: Why Huddy believes emo is a spirit, not a lookThe story behind the new single "Burn the Ballroom Down"Pivoting to a more mature, alternative soundNew influences: The Marias, Scouse rap, and Tame Impala Guest/Band Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/huddyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/huddyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huddyOfficial Website: https://www.huddyMusic.com Episode Highlights:"It's not fair. But at the same time, it's just artist problems, you know? You know, just girly things.""I discovered the Marias this year... and I really f***ing love them.""It's about the message... how you put it and what you stand for."
JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/SpotifyShare this episode with a friend who needs to hear itSupport us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tvIt was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves.
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Slow Joy on Texas Shoegaze, Opening for The Academy Is... & Channeling Idles
"You ever been beaten down by life after 30 years? ... That's the genesis of Slow Joy. It's just emotionally driven lyrics and things that make sense really loud."In this episode, we sit down with Esteban from Slow Joy at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago to discuss the reality of tour life and the release of his deluxe record, A Joy Even Slower. Bridging the gap between the Myspace era and today's alternative waves, Esteban breaks down how growing up in the Dallas music scene influenced his unique sound—a mix of "hot and sludgy" shoegaze and anthem-heavy emo.We explore his deep love for Taking Back Sunday (specifically the Louder Now era) and the cinematic history of the "The Ghost of You" music video. Esteban also opens up about his vocal evolution, moving from trying to emulate Midwest emo tappies to channeling the raw power of Joe Talbot from Idles and Citizen. Whether you are a nostalgic millennial or an emo revivalist, this conversation connects the history of the genre to its exciting future. Key Topics & Timestamps:Introduction: The reality of tour life and the "Venn Diagram" of sleep vs. foodThe Emo Check: Why Taking Back Sunday's "Makedamnsure" is the perfect songFun Fact: How the director of "The Ghost of You" went on to direct Spider-ManDefining the Slow Joy sound: "Life beating you down"Deep dive into the deluxe album A Joy Even Slower and Modest Mouse influencesTouring with The Academy Is... and the kindness of 2000s legendsThe Texas Scene Report: Dallas, Denton, and the "sludgy" shoegaze soundVocal techniques: Channeling Idles and Citizen vs. Midwest Emo math rockWhere to find Slow Joy online Guest/Band Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/SlowJoyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/slowjoy.officialOfficial Website: https://www.slowjoymusic.com/ Episode Highlights:"I'm not cool enough to do the shoegaze thing. So I just kind of live in a world where you sing like these bright, cool melodies and then do that melodic rock stuff.""I'm just gonna do my best Joe Talbot impression... that 'tough guy' voice thing that I do. Everybody is like, 'Oh, that's like Citizen.' And I was like, 'No, I'm actually just trying to do Joe [from Idles].'""You can do two things half-a**ed... or I'm gonna do one thing at a time. Especially when you get into those punky, newer tracks."
JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/SpotifyShare this episode with a friend who needs to hear itSupport us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tvIt was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves.
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LúpÃna on Iceland's Emotional DIY Scene & The "Þetta reddast" Mentality
"We have this phrase called Þetta reddast, which we say a lot, and it's just like the things will work out somehow. And I think that describes it quite well."We're live from Reykjavik for the Iceland Airwaves festival! Brian sits down with Icelandic experimental pop artist LúpÃna to discuss the vibrant and creative local music scene. LúpÃna shares why singing in her native Icelandic language feels so special and how her music, while not strictly "emo," is built entirely around emotion. She describes the unique DIY culture of Reykjavik , where gigs happen in record stores and bookshops , all driven by the national mentality of "Þetta reddast" (things will work out). We also discuss her use of vocal effects , her collaboration with Dadi Freyr , and why Icelandic music has such a unique, spacious, and electronic sound. Key Topics & Timestamps:[00:25] The most emo song LúpÃna is listening to (Highasakite)[01:53] The special feeling of singing in Icelandic[02:53] The Reykjavik DIY Scene & "Þetta reddast"[04:51] Defining the LúpÃna sound (Experimental Pop)[05:16] Why Icelandic music has so much "space"[07:03] Collaborating with Dottie Frere[08:15] Why is there so much talent in Iceland?[08:53] Where to find LúpÃna Guest/Band Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2WBanXfuVc8n09WZIwhGGc?si=YiETkPVDRNagWrb1j1EFiQ&nd=1&dlsi=8d47dbe1c9ee4f7a Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lupina.is/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eg.er.lupina/Official Website: https://lupinamusic.com/ Episode Highlights:"I wouldn't categorize my music as emo, but it all comes from emotions and it's all built around emotions.""I feel like there's something about singing in your native language that's just really special.""We have this phrase called Þetta reddast... it's just like the things will work out somehow."
JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/SpotifyShare this episode with a friend who needs to hear itSupport us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tvIt was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves.
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Underoath on 20 Years of 'They're Only Chasing Safety' & The "Wake Up Call" That Changed Their Career
"We have literally... been had a wake up call." Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath gets brutally honest about why the band can no longer ignore TikTok and social media.What does "emo" even mean? We're live on the tour bus with Spencer Chamberlain and Chris Dudley of Underoath to figure it out. We dive deep into the 20th anniversary of their foundational album, They're Only Chasing Safety , and how its success paved the way for their entire career.The band reflects on their early "hardcore band" roots , their complicated "Christian rock" label , and how old-school emo influences like Jimmy Eat World shaped their sound.More importantly, we connect that history to the present day. Spencer and Chris share a major "wake up call" about the music industry , giving candid advice to new bands on why TikTok and social media are no longer optional , and why the era of "mystery in rock n roll" is over. This is a must-listen for anyone who grew up with the band and any new artist trying to navigate the modern scene. Key Topics & Timestamps:[00:00:00] Welcome Spencer & Chris of Underoath[00:00:14] What is the most "emo" song you're listening to right now?[00:02:56] The influence of bands like Jimmy Eat World[00:05:05] Reflecting on 20 years of They're Only Chasing Safety[00:05:55] How Chasing Safety enabled the band's future[00:07:52] Thinking about new music: Getting in a room with "no electronics"[00:09:00] The importance of "creative limits" in art[00:11:24] How Underoath decides on a "sound" for a new record[00:14:44] Does the "scene" (like Knocked Loose) influence their writing?[00:16:00] "If you follow what's popular, you're always five years too late."[00:22:13] Honest advice for new artists in 2025[00:23:02] Chris: "Advice... based on our experience... is not valid anymore."[00:24:52] Spencer: Why record labels require a TikTok presence now[00:26:58] The "wake up call" that changed their view on social media[00:27:28] "Mystery in Rock n Roll was sick... You can't."[00:29:05] You don't have to be an artist or a content creator; you can be both[00:31:45] Reflecting on the "Christian Rock" label[00:34:03] The Flyleaf TikTok revival[00:35:00] Upcoming tour dates (UK, Emo's Not Dead Cruise)  Guest/Band Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/31R61sOfP4C2D80NCSOundInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/underoathband/Official Website: https://www.underoath777.com/Tour Dates: https://www.underoath777.com/pages/tour Episode Highlights:"I look at it more as... the fact that people connected with that record so much made it to where we could do everything after.""I am not going to be... we have a band coming on tour with us. The singer's got a million followers, can't sell 100 tickets... We can sell out every room in America. Why does it f***ing matter?""[Labels said] it has to be popular on TikTok first... We have literally... been had a wake up call."
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The Summer Set's Brian Dales on Their Emo Identity & New Album 'Meet Me In The Record Store'
"I don't think people think of us when they think of emo. Probably we covered 'Mamma Mia' by ABBA today. That was emo. Yeah."Join the "Meeting of the Brians" as we sit down with Brian Logan Dales of The Summer Set right after their set at the When We Were Young festival. Despite playing an acoustic show in Tucson and driving through the night to make it, Dales brings his trademark high energy. We discuss the band's sometimes-contested place in emo history, with Brian admitting they see themselves as an attitude-driven pop-rock band with "one foot in, one foot out." He gives a look behind the scenes of their latest album, Meet Me In The Record Store, a passion project five years in the making that they treated like their "first album all over again". This latest work reflects what The Summer Set sounds like as an adult band, writing about everything from girls to existential crises. Dales talks about the process of letting the songs "fine wine" as demos for years , and how they balanced the setlist at the nostalgia festival between fan-favorite older songs and the new material. Find out which song Dales played on an overnight drive, and hear about the time he mistakenly played a Puddle of Mudd cover at Emo Nitet. The The Summer Set is back, on tour, and ready for fans to see them anytimeBand Links:Spotify: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesummerset/?hl=enOfficial Website: https://www.thesummerset.com/Tour Dates: https://www.thesummerset.com/tourTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction and catching up with Brian Logan Dales of The Summer Set [00:24] The most emo song Brian was listening to recently (Jack's Mannequin) [01:10] What makes The Summer Set "emo" or not and the pop-rock identity [02:15] The adult themes and five-year process behind the album Meet Me In The Record Store[03:22] Balancing old songs, new songs, and covers at a nostalgia festival [04:24] Emo Nite, setlist decisions, and the infamous "She Hates Me" incidentJOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitterSupport the Show:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/SpotifyShare this episode with a friend who needs to hear itSupport us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tvIt was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves.
JOIN THE CLUB! Youtube: https://emosocial.club/youtube Instagram: https://emosocial.club/instagram TikTok: https://emosocial.club/tiktok Twitch: https://emosocialclub.tv Discord: https://emosocial.club/discord Facebook: https://emosocial.club/facebook Twitter: https://emosocial.club/twitter Support the Show:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts/SpotifyShare this episode with a friend who needs to hear itSupport us and watch exclusive episodes: https://emosocialclub.tvIt was never just a phase. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves.