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

One of the most beneficial strengths a musician can have is versatility. The more things an artist can do, the more places they have to pull from to create. Keyser takes this to the extreme; they are a (deep breath in) singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist, teacher, LGBTQ+ advocate, picky eater (who loves sweets), and those are just the titles we got to. One might expect a Berklee College of Music grad to be able to wear most of these hats (and be more than happy to tell you about it), but Keyser wields these diverse talents with humility and a sense of pragmatism. All they want, at the end of the day, is to make great music, and help others do the same. And they have been: Not only does Keyser have an impressive solo catalogue, including their debut album “mOrse CoDe” and this year’s pop banger “Lip Service”, they play guitar in LA rock band Chromera. Keyser is one of the most fascinating and unique individuals I’ve ever had in the chair. I can’t cosign them putting ketchup on pizza, but I can say for certain that Keyser is an immense musical talent who will not only continue to juggle their many specialties, but make it look easy.

In this interview, Brylan sits down with Arlington, VA born and Los Angeles based Keyser to discuss Berklee-minted songwriting techniques, some of Keyser’s least favorite pop song lines, and the best guitarists to ever live. The pair even get deep and effuse on whether they’ve ever truly been in love, and what being in love as an adult even means. Also, Brylan puts Keyser’s lie detection skills to the test to see if they can spot a real story from a fake one. Finally, they discuss two of the best tracks in Keyser’s catalogue: “I Dare U”, the opening track from Keyser’s debut album “mOrse CoDe”, and Keyser’s most recently release, “Lip Service”, based on a dysfunctional relationship Keyser got out of.

“I Dare U” to watch this one!

Stream Keyser's music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2SvmXjltxSmum0Qexw5Qo7

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/keyser/1702103194

Follow Keyser on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/keysermusicofficial

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@keysermusicofficial

Check out Keyser's Website: https://keysermusicofficial.com

Songs used in this episode:

"I Dare U" by Keyser

"Lip Service" by Keyser

Follow the show!

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

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

With pop trending towards louder, more bombastic and “in your face” styles, pop fans with slightly more reserved taste may feel left out. Liv Cartier seeks to fill that void. Growing up in Liverpool, U.K, she was drawn to music from an early age, but took a while to find her sound. Finally, she settled on her current sonic expression, which she describes herself as “pop on a comedown”: lush, string heavy production that conjures early Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish. Her rich, powerful vocals float overtop of instrumentals that would fit just as well in a Golden Age Hollywood film score. Her lyrics are just as heavy as the instrumentation, tackling themes like the fear of never being enough, and meditations on the value of life in the face of despair. Her music, however never veers into the real of melodrama. On the contrary, it’s just as Liv herself always seeks to be: Real.

In this episode, Brylan and Liv talk about Liv’s early music education (including her distaste for piano lessons), how she sold out her first ever live show, and how she came up with her luxurious artist name. Liv also tells us one of her bad date stories (probably the WORST Brylan has ever heard), and even teaches Brylan some British slang. The two then play a version of the popular game Wavelength with music clues and hints. Finally, the pair discuss Liv Cartier’s two songs she’s released thus far.

This episode really was “Golden”!

Stream Liv Cartier's music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vkLN7lE6BOnZRFBi3FklO

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/liv-cartier/1498324243

Follow Liv on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livcartier

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livcartier

Songs used in this episode:

"Golden" by Liv Cartier

"Right Before The Fall" by Liv Cartier

Follow the show!

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

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

It can take years for an artist to form an identity to present to the world. They may go back and forth from the drawing board to the stage of their local open mic, only to scrap a name or image after one performance and start again. In the time it takes a lot of creatives take to find their first form, Cayley Spivey is on her second.

Not long after writing her first real song at 15, she assembled a band to play her tunes around her hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, calling the project “Small Talks”. Due to Cayley’s determination and promotion strategy that focused on building real world relationships, the pop-punk act quickly gained traction, even surprising it’s ambitions captain: just two years after forming, Small Talks was playing Warped Tour (Oh, and that first song she wrote at 15? That was Small Talks’ debut single and fan favorite “New Dork Pity”). Many would rest on their laurels and put up with the jealousy and attempts by other acts to use their band as a token to show how they were “supporting women in the scene.” Cayley had other plans; She had to become something different: herself.

Cayley began releasing music under her given name, Cayley Spivey, beginning with 2020’s “Sfu”. With the name change came a shift in sound; She left pop punk behind completely and dove straight into pure-bred, synth heavy, danceable pop. Throughout her sonic evolutions, her lyrical prowess (she was a poet and writer before she was a musician) and ear for an infectious melody have remained constant. Her latest release, the ep “Camera Boy”, is perhaps the greatest example: fans looking for singable hooks will be well fed, and those looking for deep meaning will find innovative and original songwriting focusing on loss, obsession, grief, and much more.

Cayley Spivey appears to have already perfected her second identity, but if her past is any indication, she won’t rest on her new achievements either.

In this episode, Brylan and Cayley discuss growing up in the South as an outsider, the eternal debate on the distinction between an “artist” and a “musician”, as well as the importance of acknowledging humanity’s inherent darkness in art. Cayley also tests Brylan’s ability to suss out the truth in a game of “2 lies and a take” (and educates him on Girl in Red TikTok lore in the process). Later, the pair dive into two of the songs off of Cayley’s “Canera Boy” EP, and the discussion even helps Cayley uncover a hidden idea in her song “Ginny”.

You’ll be crossing “Oceans” to watch this one over and over!

Stream Cayley Spivey's music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HQfKxOBZRhStH5QbZVJ4H

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cayley-spivey/1203146133

Follow Cayley on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cayleyspivey

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@cayleyspivey

Songs used in this episode:

"Ginny" by Cayley Spivey

"camera boy" by Cayley Spivey

Follow the show!

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

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

“Honesty” is a buzzword many ascribe to their music. I might say it’s been weaponized at this point. Every musician wants to assure their listeners they are getting the artist’s unfiltered thoughts and feelings straight with no chaser. However, a lot of music falls short of this lofty goal, the listener unable to shake the feeling that something is being held back, or that there is a veneer lain over the music. This is not the case with LA singer/songewriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Commander-in-Chief of the band Talker, Celeste Tauchar.

She started the Talker project (named after a common bastardization of her last name) to get things off her chest unfiltered. No need to take my word for it, it’s right in the name of her 2024 album “I’m Telling You The Truth”. Celeste combines impressively intricate and pristine production with piercingly earnest lyrics (she sings in her song “Easygoing” about her relationship troubles: “I’ve never seen my parents kiss, that’s got something to do with it”) that never veer into eyeroll territory.

What’s perhaps even more impressive is her sonic versatility: On the same record, she can have heavily produced pop songs along side acoustic indie singalongs, with guitar driven rock tunes appended after. These different styles never feel out of place; On the contrary, they add to the projects’ cohesion, representing the different emotions and circumstances that went into each song. The commandment tying everything together: Radical honesty.

In this interview, Brylan sits down with Celeste to discuss her formative years as a band kid, the music she loves that inspires her (such as Wolf Alice, who she successfully converted Brylan to a fan of) and the emotional complexity of platonic relationships.

Later, Brylan puts Celeste’s puzzle solving to the test with some musical anagrams (which he hilariously screwed up), and of course deep dive into a few of Celeste’s songs, including the indie banger “Easygoing”

Don’t “Drag Your Feet” tuning into this interview!

Listen to Talker’s music!

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/talker/1405017065

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wcTmtixisIzV10W69W6lm

Follow Celeste on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkerceleste

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@talkerceleste

Check out Talker’s website:

https://talkerceleste.com/

Songs used in this episode:

“Your Loves Whore” by Wolf Alice

“Moaning Lisa Smile” by Wolf Alice

“Old Enough” by Talker

“Easygoing” by Talker

“Knowitall” by Talker

Music, at its core, is a sonic expression of human emotion. Be it sadness, elation, or yearning, it’s a transmission to us from the artist, of how they were feeling when they made it, or at a certain point in time. Most music can convey the intended emotions, and some music can even transport us to the artist’s world for a moment. But, at least in my experience, few artists can truly make you FEEL exactly what they felt. One of those rare artists is Gnat, the stage name of Nat Rezek, an indie/folk singer-songwriter based out of Los Angeles and hailing from rainy Seattle. In a deluge of sad people with acoustic guitars, their music stands out with incredibly detailed and crisp production, with layers that most listeners won’t even notice. Gnat’s vocals float over the melancholic, sometimes haunting instrumentation (of which they played every part themselves) with complex harmonies that fill the space of the song, but never smother you. Gnat’s crushing lyrics are the final ingredient that ties together their debut EP, “It Better Be Perfect”, touching on themes of dysfunctional relationships, being neglected by people they love, and other deeply personal calamities. It is genuinely one of my favorite releases of the year, and I am thrilled to share this interview with Nat, and their music, with you.

In this episode, Brylan and (G)Nat discuss Nat’s upbringing in Seattle and how the musical spirit of the city influenced their artistry (including the time they performed on the same stage as a certain famed grunge band), how listening to Christina Perri at a young age helped them find the emotional vocabulary to write their own music, and Nat and Brylan’s shared love for Coldplay and playing clarinet. Brylan also puts Nat’s instincts to the test, getting them to identify famous bands’ original names that never took (some of which are truly terrible). Finally, the pair deep dive into a few tunes from the Gnat EP, as well as take a sneak peak at some unreleased music from Nat’s other music project, Dinner With Me.

You’ll get way more than your “Fill” with this interview!

Listen to Gnat’s music!

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gnat/1800535446

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/13kNQ91Oan8twenAijXeXN

Follow Gnat on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gnat.rezek

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gnat.rezek

Listen to Dinner With Me’s Music:

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dinner-with-me/1710290974

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zIwTj4rjgJ1G68Z8Hjikl

Follow Dinner With Me on Social Media:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dinnerwithme.hehe

Songs used in this episode:

“Conscious Uncoupling” by Pool Kids

“Grandfather Clock” by Gnat

“Fill” by Gnat

“Maximum Love” by Dinner With Me (Unreleased)

Follow the show!

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

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