There’s an inherent value in meticulously constructing music brick-by-brick, layer-by-layer. Toledo, OH alternative rockers The Currents spent a year working on the songs that would become their latest EP, titled Other Lives. After all their hard work, they are finally sharing the fruits of their labor. The first single from this batch of songs, “Turning Red,” is a moody alt-rock anthem sure to cement their place in Ohio’s rock and roll pantheon.
Luis Gomez, Tanner Wertz, Emilio Alvarado, and Matt Cashin (recording member) take the sounds of British, American, and Mexican indie rock and mesh them with the band’s own unique sonic identity. Working at Alvarado’s home studio, the band took a calculated and detailed approach to recording these songs. While the band has been recording for a year, the bones of “Turning Red” date back to 2019. Sometimes, good things take a long time.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of “Turning Red.” The song takes off with a driving beat and dark guitar arpeggios. “Turning Red” tells a story. We follow the protagonist through the bar as they look for a connection but come back empty. The band wanted to write a commentary on modern hookup culture. This band clearly understands how cinematic songwriting can stir the souls of listeners. As the protagonist becomes more confused and alarmed, the guitars get busier. The cymbals crash. The bass churns. This is the sound of a band that took their time and thought through how every musical moment can impact a listener.
In a sea of music content that feels shallow, The Currents remind us that there are still bands that want to shake the souls of their listeners. There is no drifting in and out of this song – it commands your whole attention. And in this age of endless distraction, maybe that’s exactly what we need.
Listen to the track and read our interview with the band below…
EA = Emilio Alvarado
TW = Tanner Wertz
LG = Luis Gomez
Do you feel like approaching recording at your own pace helped produce a better finished product?
EA: Absolutely. Having our own spot to create on our own time allowed us to refine these songs to what we felt was needed. We left no stone unturned when it came to arrangement, tone, melodies, etc. I really think it allowed us to deliver 100% of what we were capable of doing for this release.
What prompted you to write a song about modern romance (or maybe the lack thereof)?
LG: I’m an observational person and from times that I’ve gone out with friends over the years, I found myself witnessing interactions in social settings (bars or parties) that highlight modern romance or lack thereof. Romance is subjective, so what works for Person A might not work for Person B. This has always been fascinating to me but also quite terrifying!
“Turning Red” dives into the infatuation and anxieties that may take place when encountering someone we are interested in but have never met before. Makes you ask questions like: “What are their intentions?”, “Do I trust this person?”. Songs such as “Leave Before The Lights Come On” by Arctic Monkeys and “Will We Talk?” by Sam Fender (both artists that I hold dear to my heart) also put me in the head space to write as their meanings align with “Turning Red”.
Y’all opened for Wheatus back in 2023. What was that show like?
TW: It was an absolute blast and we were (and still are) so thankful for the opportunity. It was The Currents’ first show on a bill with an internationally-touring group. Their band and crew were nothing but kind and welcoming to all in attendance and they put on an awesome performance. Watching them cover Rush’s “Time Stand Still” continues to live rent-free in my head seven months later. Shout out to Frankie’s Inner-City in east Toledo for hosting the show.
What can we expect from the rest of the EP? Will the songs feel similar, or are there a lot of changing moods and sounds?
LG: The rest of the songs will have their own identities in which their sounds and moods will differ from each other, yet the production and overall theme of the EP will bring them together. We are inspired by alternative/indie rock from the United States, Britain, and Mexico – all of which are highlighted throughout the EP. I mentioned earlier that I am an observational person and that’s what the theme of this EP is – observations I have made over the years about other people in my life or complete strangers. We are all extremely proud of this EP so we hope that whoever listens enjoys it as much as we do.
The post SONG PREMIERE: The Currents Share Moody alt-Rock Anthem “Turning Red” Off Forthcoming EP ‘Other Lives’ appeared first on Glide Magazine.
