We've had a lot of incredibly talented guests on this show, but so far, no one has been a contestant on an international competition (unless they were really holding out on me), until now. Luke Black represented his home country of Serbia in the international smash hit music competition Eurovision with his song "Samo mi se spava", where he added countless diehard fans (fans of the European competition are rabid about their favorites). However, the most interesting thing about him isn’t his stint on the competition, it’s the music itself. Luke blends a wide range of influences, from nordic death metal to EDM to Elton John, and puts out tunes that are simultaneously chaotic and cohesive: a feat many artists attempt and fail. He injects and harnesses this chaos in his live shows, delivering unforgettable theatrical experiences that harken back to the days of hair metal, with a bit of Nine Inch Nails mixed in for good measure. As he embarks on a UK and Europe tour next year, Luke is slated to take the continent by storm, and I have no doubt the US will be next.

In this episode (Luke’s first ever US interview!!!), Brylan and Luke chat about Luke’s early influences, the whirlwind that was the Eurovision 2023 competition, how the UK’s vibe and architecture have influenced his artistry, and even discuss AI’s potential impact on music (and why neither of them are worried). Later on, Brylan tests Luke’s translation skills (sort of ) and Little Monster-dom with our first ever game of Lost in Translation. Then, the pair chat about two of Luke’s tracks: "aNGel M3TaL”, a favorite off of his debut album “Chainsaws In Paradise”, and his newest effort, “ALCHEMY” featuring LA producer and songwriter Mood Killer. Finally, Brylan and Luke talk about his upcoming new album and European tour, his most ambitious undertaking yet.

I promise, there’s no “Thorns” in this episode!

Stream Luke Black's Music!

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/luke-black/973303307

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sPiEqLcANa5kAp5RnEHNq

Follow Luke Black on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/lukeblackmusic

https://www.tiktok.com/@lukeblackmusic

Check Out Luke Black's Website:

https://lukeblackmusic.com/

Songs used in this episode:

"aNGel M3TaL" - Luke Black

ALCHEMY (feat. Mood Killer) - Luke Black

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

It sounds counterintuitive, but it can be difficult to incorporate highly technical musicianship into popular music. There seems to be diminishing returns with virtuosity after a certain point, in terms of getting people to listen. At a certain skill level, most people struggle to relate to it, and it can become almost burdensome to listen to. My guests on this episode not only serve as an exception to this rule, they stand in defiance of it. Stereosity, a math rock/emo outfit based out of Orange County, California aren’t just good at their instruments; they’re REALLY good. I was completely in awe when I saw them play on a bill with other Test Press alums Rainbow City Park. Perhaps even more impressive than their musicianship, however, are how good the songs are. With a blend of emo influenced vocal melodies and lyrics and the melodically dense guitar riff style of modern math rock (a combination the band lovingly calls “twinkle rock”), Stereosity put out tunes that hit like an emotional truck and get stuck in your head for days, all while you wonder “how in the hell did they play that!?”

In this episode, Sam and Jack from Stereosity sit down with Brylan to discuss their journey from guitar novices to Gods, as well as how they slowly crafted their sound through diverse influences, collaborative respect between their group of friends/bandmates, and good old-fashioned perfectionism. They also discuss the challenges of being in a touring band while holding a day job, as so many artists are forced to. Later, Brylan and the band discuss their viral breakout hit “Sprout” (and the origins of its now famous riff) as well as the inspirations and life lessons behind their new album, “New Life Will Grow”. Also, Brylan puts Sam and Jack in the hot seat to test their knowledge of math (rock) in the first ever game of Test Press-ody!

Get (Home) and listen to this one ASAP!

Buy/Stream Stereosity's Music!

Bandcamp - https://stereosity.bandcamp.com/

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/stereosity/1576516350

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0piJP9lxT0JISY5bRWnzcu

Follow Stereosity on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/jhaharlan

https://www.tiktok.com/@stereosityband

Check Out Stereosity's Website:

https://stereosity.com/

Songs used in this episode:

"Sprout" - Stereosity

Quiz song by Вадим Кузнецов

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

I’ve always felt that screenwriters and musicians were kindred spirts. As such, it’s no surprise that we are massive fans of each others’ work: I’ve never known a musician that isn’t also a film and/or TV junkie, and I’ve never met a writer that won’t gush about their favorite records. My guest this week is no exception: I initially bonded with my good friend and screenwriter Jesse Harris (of Marvel’s Jessica Jones and other incredible projects) over our love of music and growing up in Appalachia (him in Kentucky and me in Southern Ohio). His most admirable trait, aside from always having unique and profound insights on everything from American politics to the mainstream rise of the Carhartt clothing brand, is his unabashed pride for where he comes from. He doesn’t run from his Appalachian roots. On the contrary, he wears it as a badge of honor and injects it into his writing (and occasionally dunks on smug Bostonians at parties). He’s the embodiment of radical acceptance for the things that make you you, no matter what society or “The Industry” has to say about them.

In this interview, Brylan sits down with Jesse Harris to chat about a common thread that was inescapable when growing up in Appalachia: country music. The pair discuss the original master storytellers of country music’s history , contrasting them with the “stadium country” of today. The pair also discuss some young storytellers carrying the torch of country’s old royalty, how society likes to borrow and repurpose things that country folk were originally mocked for, and even get into some politics and its connection to the soul of country music.

Later, Brylan see’s if Jesse can pick out fake country artist names from real ones. They then discuss Jesse’s most recent project, the short film “Good Daughter”.

Go ahead and pencil this one in, you don’t want to miss it!

Watch Jesse's Short Film "Good Daughter"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyL_GcG4kUs

Follow Jesse on social Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jhaharlan

Songs used in this episode:

"You Shook Me All Night Long (Cover)" - Hayseed Dixie

"Gin and Juice (Cover)" - Hayseed Dixie

"Under Grass and Clover" - Children of Bodom

"Lucky" - Abby Hamilton

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress