On this episode of OurSpace with Matt Vettese, I’m joined by Aren’t We Amphibians, the genre-bending alternative/emo band blending indie rock, prog, and post-punk into a sound that’s all their own.
We dive into the making of their latest record, their creative process, and how they balance experimentation with catchy songwriting. The band opens up about sampling King of the Hill, navigating the DIY scene, and why they’re determined to carve out a space outside of traditional genre boxes.
If you’re a fan of emo, indie rock, math rock, or post-punk revival, this is a must-listen conversation with one of the most exciting underground acts today.
🎧 Listen to Aren't We Amphibians:https://arentweamphibians.bandcamp.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2hTv2oTIcfByggCy3MkzsyApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/arent-we-amphibians/1638871551Follow them: https://www.instagram.com/arentweamphibians/
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese

Indie rock trio Weakened Friends are back and gearing up for their brand-new album! In my chat with Sonia and Annie we talk about the band’s creative process, their emo and alternative rock influences, and the stories behind their latest songs. We also dive into touring life, the DIY music scene, and what fans can expect next from Weakened Friends.
If you’re a fan of indie rock, emo, alternative, or bands like Speedy Ortiz, Bully, or Hop Along, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes insights and laughs you won’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen to Weakened Friends:https://www.weakenedfriends.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3GA7XHdtdiTpR4gDWgADwKApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/weakened-friends/1039120480Follow them: https://www.instagram.com/weakenedfriends/
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese
✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more band interviews, new album breakdowns, and music deep-dives!
#WeakenedFriends #IndieRock #EmoRevival #BandInterview

This week on OurSpace with Matt Vettese, I sit down with Ben and Matt from Pretoria to talk about their latest EP If We’re Pretending — a coming-of-age record about identity, transition, and chasing dreams even when it feels impossible.
We dive into:
-Why Pretoria refuses to be boxed into one genre-How they make 3 guitarists actually work live-The leap from Grand Rapids to Chicago and how it changed everything-Getting “weird” (in the best way) on their new release-Writing beyond the traditional “boy meets girl” lens
If you love indie rock, power pop, or just discovering your new favorite band, you’ll want to give this one a listen.
🎧 Listen to Pretoria:https://pretoriamusic.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dK49BK2fasxOmbCkUXhGcApple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pretoria/1429329187Follow them: https://www.instagram.com/pretoriamusic/?hl=en
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews with the bands you’ll be obsessed with tomorrow.

Sydney Sprague joins me to talk about her upcoming album Peak Experience (out September 26), the art of short records, touring with Spanish Love Songs, and why Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) called her single Flat Circle the “song of the year.”
We dig into:
-How she picks singles (and why one-minute songs still count!)-Balancing heartbreak and fun in her songwriting-Going fully independent on this record-Meme culture sneaking into her lyrics-Touring with Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, and The Front Bottoms-The story of “Fairfield” (and that wild night in Hays, Kansas 🍏🥴)
🎧 Listen to Sydney Sprague:https://sydneysprague.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kclOkS27VyWBtdnNq5GHsApple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/sydney-sprague/275099790Follow her: https://www.instagram.com/sydneysprague/?hl=enPreorder Peak Experience: https://sydneysprague.com/products/peak-experience-vinyl
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese
If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with your favorite bands!
⏱ Timestamps:0:00 Intro + listener review1:20 Sydney joins2:00 The beauty of short albums5:50 Choosing singles & “Flat Circle”7:00 Praise from Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie)9:00 Fun vs emotional songs12:00 Going independent13:00 Sydney = Queen of Memes 👑😂20:00 Playing new songs live22:50 Writing “Fairfield” (Applebee’s panic attack story)24:00 Life on/off tour
#SydneySprague #IndieRock #PeakExperience

Esden from Saturdays at Your Place joins me to talk about their new album These Things Happen (out September 12), their viral hit “Tarot Cards,” and what it’s like repping Kalamazoo in the emo scene. We also dive into the stories behind “Waste Away” and “What Am I Supposed to Do?,” working with Tades on new music videos, and their upcoming tour with Riley! and Carly Cosgrove across North America, Europe, and the UK.
If you’re into modern emo and Midwest emo bands like American Football, Hot Mulligan, and Origami Angel, you’ll love this conversation.
👉 Pre-save These Things Happen + grab tour tickets: saturdaysatyourplace.com👉 Follow Saturdays at Your Place: @saturdaysatyourplace
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese

Dana Bollen put together a 6 episode podcast series called Live Free or D.I.Y and in Matt's chat we dive into his journey from the corporate world to fully embracing the DIY music scene. 
In this episode, we cover:
🎸 How Dana first got into the DIY scene💼 What made him leave his corporate job to take the plunge🤘 Why DIY is so important to him and the community✨ What inspired him to create his current series
🎧 Listen to Live Free or D.I.Y:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bwv0QxQhiKnOr1Xzj3Kh0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-free-or-d-i-y/id1812187438
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with artists, creators, and dreamers making their mark.
#Podcast #DIYScene #DanaBollen #MusicCommunity

In this episode, I hang out with Summerbruise as we discuss the humor in their music, their upcoming record "Infinity Guise" out September 19, plus how Tades of Hot Mulligan helped them out with a song on their upcoming record. 
🎧 Listen to Summerbruise:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7dlw6SU2bPJj7kjKKMjhA5Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/summerbruise/1197825884Bandcamp: https://summerbruise.bandcamp.com/album/infinity-guiseFollow them: https://www.instagram.com/summerbruise69
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese
If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with your favorite bands!
#Summerbruise #InfinityGuise #FakeEmo #ElderEmo #PopPunk #Emo #Interview

Ryland Heagy takes a moment while on tour to chat with Matt about Origami Angel's latest album Feeling Not Found, playing Warped Tour and more! 
🎧 Listen to Origami Angel:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0cmSXx965Hnm6fP42oW6vYApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/origami-angel/1268165648More: https://origamiangel.com/
📌 Follow My Podcast for More Interviews!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurSpaceMedia/podcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fLsVQkgoKFaA5Gdva6DgqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ourspace-with-matt-vettese/id1719298889Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattvettese
If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with your favorite artists!