The Los Angeles-based grunge trio, Return to Dust, have today released their latest single, "Cellophane" taken off their debut EP, "The Black Road" via Jim Kaufman Productions. Fans can listen to the full EP HERE, and watch the brand new video below.
WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING:
"Return To Dust veer into entirely distinct sonic territories... one likely pivotal for long-term success.
Overall: 90/100”
Unsung Melody
"The band throws a new twist on 90s-sounding riffs bringing the listener back in time. The groovy guitar with dark themes in the lyrics holds over every song on the EP."
Keynote Music Collective
""“Black Road” is the perfect vehicle for Return to Dust to showcase their remarkable cinematic approach. This is a band with a stupendous future."
My Amp Music
""Combined with formidable talent and unmatched dedication, Return to Dust are ready to truly hit the ground running with their debut EP, “The Black Road,""
Interview Under Fire
Return to Dust have taken over listeners' Spotify Release Radar's and Discover Weekly's, all ahead of the release of their debut EP. The band have also been featured on Loudwire's Weekly Wire and Spotify's All New Rock, and independent playlists such as Prelude Press' "Music That Doesn't Suck", CHARM Music Magazine's "New Music Friday", NAS 101's "New Artist Spotlight", Get Rocked's "Best New Music", and more.
After racking up over 2 million TikTok views within a weekend, see HERE, the band's fan base has skyrocketed. The TIkTok featuring the band's single, "Belly Up" swiftly impacted the band's trajectory - nearly a million streams, 70K Spotify Monthly Listeners, and you can now catch over 70,000 fans across all socials waiting for their next glimpse of Return to Dust.
Still on the high of selling out the Viper Room at the EP release show, the band's previous single, "Losing Faith" even earned a stamp of approval from rock's very own, Allison Hagendorf, as it was featured on episode of her podcast's Sound Advice. The trio are continuing to catch fire, as none other than Matt Pinfield tagged in and showcased the band on KLOS' "New And Approved". With the success of their debut EP and the demand for a video of the fan-favorite track, it's no surprise that Return to Dust are returning with more cinematic content.
Speaking on today's single release, the band shares:
"Cellophane is about fabrication. Whether it’s you trying to be someone you’re not or someone portraying you falsely, there is always a truth somewhere below the plastic.
The video highlights feelings of entrapment whether it’s fighting heavy chains under water or more extreme examples like an entire bedroom being covered in cellophane."
Sharing insight as the director of the "Cellophane" video, Matt Akana continues:
"We all pushed ourselves far out of our comfort zones to create the best visual we’ve made. The track has such depth and darkness to it that we wanted to reflect that on the screen as well as channel feelings of discomfort, hopelessness and rage in the viewers. We really leaned into visually representing the lyrics on screen and created an underwater world of darkness, rooms wrapped in plastic and bloody hearts."
Return to Dust, who are heavily inspired by the legendary Alice In Chains, have already cultivated a reputation in the local Los Angeles music scene before the release of their debut EP, "The Black Road" produced by none other than Jim Kaufman (Everclear, Danny Worsnop, Night Riots, Helmet). With their remarkable cinematic approach, the rock trio are on track for an unforgettable year of touring and new music. Be sure to stay tuned for more Return to Dust news coming soon.
Photo Credit - Matt Akana
Southern California fans also have the chance to see Return to Dust at Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, CA on Saturday, September 2nd.
Return to Dust will opening for fellow rock trio, Aurora View, at their deluxe EP release show.
Fans can purchase tickets in advance HERE. Use the code "RETURNTODUST" for $5 off.
Don't miss your chance to see the band live this Saturday!
ABOUT RETURN TO DUST
Los Angeles based alternative/grunge rock trio Return to Dust (Matty Joseph, Graham Stanush, Sebastian Gonzalez) has already scripted a karmic saga that traverses decades, pays homage to the past, and plants its roots firmly in the future. Listening within their sonic universe is like time-traveling to the halcyon days of the '90s grunge era. Their sound, influenced by heavyweights of the time, reverberates with the echoes of Deftones, Alice In Chains, and the soul of Nirvana — but, their brilliance doesn't stop there. The band draws inspiration from a diverse palette, blending in bits from bands like The Cure, Metallica, and Cage The Elephant, molding them into their own unique musical tapestry.
Return to Dust breathes life into a sound that feels both genuine and tailor-made to encapsulate the essence of a bygone era, leaving fans awash in nostalgia. Yet, it's not merely a mimicry of the past; instead, it's a fusion of the old and the new — an alchemy that conjures a sound distinctly their own. At the core are alluring bass lines (Stanush), gritty guitar riffs (Gonzalez, Joseph) and dual lead vocals (Joseph, Stanush) that harmonize and intertwine, weaving an ethereal soundscape that resonates with raw emotion and unyielding energy. It's a moody concoction that pays homage to an iconic era while fearlessly exploring uncharted territories. Return to Dust beckons audiences into their world, where the past and present converge, igniting a fervor that keeps the flames of grunge alive.
Return to Dust found its meteoric rise propelled by a chance encounter with none other than the illustrious producer Jim Kaufman (Helmet, Everclear, Night Riots). Under Kaufman's mentorship, the band's raw talent began to soar. During the darkest days of the pandemic, when the world stood still, Return to Dust seized the opportunity to channel their collective energy into crafting something profound. The result was their debut EP, a mesmerizing creation titled ‘The Black Road.’ It was a labor of love and dedication that not only transcended the barriers of personal growth, but also etched the band's name into the future of rock.
Return to Dust
Matty Joseph - Vocals & Guitar
Graham Stanush - Vocals & Bass
Sebastian Gonzalez - Guitar