OurSpace with Matt Vettese | Emo, Pop Punk & Alternative Music Interviews

Dustin Kensrue of Thrice joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about his new holiday album, That Spirit of Christmas, and why he decided to make another Christmas record nearly 20 years after his first. We get into the vintage soul and mid-century influences behind the album, putting his own spin on Christmas classics, and why Christmas music is such an important part of his family's holiday traditions. Dustin also shares the story behind “Joy Lives Here,” a song originally written for Hallmark that they ended up rejecting, reveals the Christmas song he absolutely hates, and talks about the inspiration behind the album artwork. Plus, we get an update on Thrice, whether or not the band is actively working on new music, and Dustin shares a few artists he's been listening to lately. That Spirit of Christmas by Dustin Kensrue is available now. OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

Amy and Kayla of Like Roses join OurSpace with Matt Vettese and this week we're breaking down every song on their debut album, After It Ends. After spending years making music as a passion project, Like Roses suddenly found themselves connecting with a much bigger audience when “Easy” started taking off on TikTok. What followed was a record deal with Hopeless Records, tours with bands they grew up listening to, and now their first full-length album. We start by talking about that unexpected success, Amy's distinctive raspy vocals, and what it feels like to hear from fans who have found comfort in the band's deeply personal songs. Then we dive into all 11 tracks on After It Ends, exploring the stories, songwriting, and creative decisions behind each one. Amy shares how some lyrics came from notes she wrote over ten years ago, what it was like collaborating with Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday, and why she wanted every song on the record to feel emotionally significant. We get into the heavier side of Like Roses with “Swallow,” the surprisingly personal story behind “Wrist,” the creation of acoustic track “Light,” and why the band was excited to try sounds they hadn't explored before. One of the most memorable parts of our conversation is the story behind “Holidays.” Amy explains how returning home from a tour with Mayday Parade left her feeling unexpectedly isolated, and how spending the Fourth of July alone became the inspiration for one of the album's most emotional songs. We also discuss why “Happier” closes the album, how Amy and Kayla work together creatively, their favourite songs from the record, and what's next for Like Roses, including touring with State Champs, Sleeping With Sirens, and Arm's Length. Plus, Amy and Kayla share some underrated artists you should have on your radar. After It Ends by Like Roses is out now via Hopeless Records. Listen to the album: https://likerosesca.bandcamp.com/album/after-it-ends OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE

What makes a music scene worth being part of? Nish of Chicago emo band tenmonthsummer joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about the band's latest EP midwestern haikus, what's next for their first full-length album, and why the DIY community is so much more than a collection of bands playing local shows. After releasing two EPs in 2026, tenmonthsummer has been keeping busy. Nish shares the story behind those releases, what the band has learned after three years together, and why their upcoming album will be their next big focus. We also dig into the inspiration behind “listening to kerosene heights makes me want to be a better person,” why The Wonder Years have been such an influence on Nish, and the importance of giving other bands their flowers while they're still around. From there, things get into a much bigger conversation about emo and the scene surrounding it. Is emo becoming an older genre, or is a new generation keeping it alive? How can the scene become more welcoming and representative? And what does being DIY actually mean when bands are dealing with real expenses, touring, social media, and trying to build a sustainable music career? Nish offers some thoughtful perspectives on Chicago's DIY community, the people working behind the scenes, creating safer spaces at shows, and how supporting independent music can mean something as simple as telling a friend about a band you love. We also get into whether a band can be Midwest emo without actually being from the Midwest, why everyone seems obsessed with inventing new emo subgenres, and whether the best emo music really does come from places with miserable winters. Plus, Nish shares why musicians need to be the biggest fans of their own bands and recommends a few underrated artists from Chicago. midwestern haikus and your name is my ocean by tenmonthsummer are available now. Find the band: https://linktr.ee/tenmonthsummer OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

Is being a talented musician enough to make a living in today's music industry?  Kenny Feinstein joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about his new book More Than Talent and what independent musicians actually need to do to build successful, sustainable careers in 2026. After more than 25 years working in music, Kenny has learned a few things about finding fans, marketing your songs, and making money as an artist. And he isn't afraid to challenge the way musicians have traditionally approached their careers. We talk about why he believes musicians need to embrace becoming content creators, how to promote music on TikTok and Instagram without feeling cringe, why the first second of a video matters, and how to turn social media views into genuine fans who actually want to support your music. Kenny also gets into the business side of being an artist, including where to invest your first $1,000, building multiple income streams, when hiring a publicist might be a waste of money, and how independent musicians can use targeted advertising to sell concert tickets. We also dig into some bigger questions: Do artists really need to tour to make a living? Why do TikTok-famous musicians sometimes struggle to earn respect? Is it too late to pursue a music career in your 30s, 40s, or beyond? And why do so many talented musicians eventually give up? Plus, Kenny shares some advice about remembering why you started making music in the first place, his experiences building a career through grassroots promotion, and a few underrated artists you should check out. Whether you're an independent musician, a band trying to grow, or just someone who loves music and wants to understand the business behind it, this conversation is packed with interesting perspectives. More Than Talent by Kenny Feinstein is available now. Learn more: worksmartermusicmarketing.com OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

Tenlung joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about I Follow Birds, “The Shed Song,” blending emo and pop punk with hyperpop, and the years-long personal journey that unexpectedly became part of her art. We get into the incredible story behind “The Shed Song,” which was written years before its release and accompanied by a music video that ended up documenting part of Tenlung's transition, despite that never being the original plan. Tenlung opens up about growing up deeply religious in the American South, being closeted, leaving the evangelical church, and eventually coming to terms with her identity. We talk about how those experiences shaped I Follow Birds, the changing meaning of the bird imagery throughout the record, and how accepting her queerness helped unlock something creatively. I Follow Birds by Tenlung is out NOW! -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

From First to Last are back and Matt Good joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to take us inside the band's new era. With We Were Bleeding Anyway arriving October 2, Matt talks about bringing Lil Lotus into From First to Last, why his perspective as a fan helped shape the band's new music, and how the goal was never to recreate the past but to respect what made records like Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount connect in the first place and bring that into who they are today. Then we talk about the question longtime FFTL fans are inevitably going to ask: could Sonny Moore ever come back? We Were Bleeding Anyway by From First to Last arrives October 2. Remember to follow/subscribe and leave 5 stars if you like interviews with your favourite bands.  -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is powered by elderemo.com — Play the new card game 'Are You Even Emo?' shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE. 

Rody Walker of Protest the Hero returns to OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about the band's new album Within, their first completely independent release, and why he's feeling excited about the future of the band again. We get into the challenges of leaving record labels behind, the financial realities of releasing an album independently, and why Protest the Hero want more control over their music and back catalogue. Rody also opens up about the overwhelmingly positive response to Within and why he almost convinced the band to change “Mouthpiece” just days before its release. If you enjoy this chat remember to leave 5 stars and follow along for more!  Interviewer: Matt Vettese Producer: Tala Mukaddam Editor: William Langlais -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE   #ProtestTheHero #RodyWalker #ProgressiveMetal

Talker joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to dive deep into her new album Runaway Jane, why she completely changed her creative process to make it, and what happened when she stopped trying to make everything perfect. After feeling disconnected from her debut album by the time it was finally released, Talker approached Runaway Jane differently. Instead of finishing the entire record and sitting on it for months, she started releasing music while parts of the album were still being finished, giving herself deadlines, embracing imperfections, and trusting the emotion of a performance instead of endlessly trying to perfect it. Subscribe to OurSpace with Matt Vettese for more conversations with the artists shaping emo, pop punk, indie rock and alternative music. -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE. -- Talker, Talker Runaway Jane, Runaway Jane, Talker interview, Talker artist, Runaway Jane album, Talker podcast, indie rock, alternative rock, emo, songwriting, OurSpace with Matt Vettese

Harrison Gordon returns to OurSpace to talk about the band's new sophomore album, Bliss, and everything that's changed since our first conversation two years ago. After the viral success surrounding The Yuppies Are Winning, Harrison Gordon had a choice: keep chasing TikTok and the algorithm or try to build the kind of band they grew up loving. They chose the latter. Harrison talks about consciously stepping away from being a “content band,” how touring with Free Throw helped transform their audience, and the strange transition from playing DIY house shows to performing in front of a thousand people a night. Then we dive deep into Bliss, a record Harrison describes as the band's “Pinkerton.” Written in a tiny windowless room in Milwaukee, the album deliberately embraces feedback, heavy guitars and imperfection while drawing inspiration from bands like PUP, Microwave and Born Without Bones. We also unpack the meaning behind songs including “Pretty,” “Like Me Less,” “Side of Blood,” “Scab” and “Bliss.” Bliss is out now. Listen to Bliss: https://open.spotify.com/album/1pJwxjT7wAcMaDa62sKHJ9?si=5c31832dfc254605  -- If you enjoyed the chat follow and leave 5 stars for more conversations like this! -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

After nearly two years without new music, Sam and Nick of Savings join OurSpace to talk about their return with their new single “Stressed Out” and why stepping away was exactly what the band needed. Sam and Nick talk about rediscovering that creative spark, writing “Stressed Out” without any expectations, and realizing they were ready to move forward again. We also dive into the pressure modern artists face to constantly “feed the machine,” why being in a band today often means becoming your own marketing department, and how building a stronger team has helped Savings find a better balance between the business side and the music itself. -- If you enjoy the chat remember to follow and leave 5 stars!  -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.