DAYSEEKER embody what a rock band can be in the 21st century. Untethered from rules and agnostic of genre confines, the Southern California quartet—Rory Rodriguez [vocals], Gino Sgambelluri [guitar], Ramone Valerio [bass], and Zach Mayfield [drums]—exist outside of any and all boundaries. As such, they seamlessly absorb culture at lightspeed, layering hypnotic hard rock and metallic catharsis above soundscapes punctuated by glistening post-pop, experimental indie, and alternative R&B. Tallying hundreds of millions of streams, selling out shows, and earning acclaim from the likes of Alternative Press and more, the band crystallized this outlier vision on their 2022 fifth full-length offering, Dark Sun.
Casting off the conventions of the post-hardcore genre, Dayseeker offers up their expansive fifth LP, Dark Sun. Entering the studio with budding producer and close personal friend, Daniel Braunstein, the band embraces dark undertones combined with 80’s synthpop styling – showcasing decades of influence all wrapped within the band’s core identity. From opening track to closing note, it’s clear that the band has discarded what may have been expected and instead chosen to embrace something most artists struggle to ever find: themselves.
“Overall, it feels more grown up,” observes Rory. “It’s less like we’re scene kids trying to be a rock band, and we’re actually a group of guys making rock music on our terms. We realized we were happier creating this way.”