Based in the rain-slicked creative hub of Portland, psychedelic pop outfit Wooden Overcoat presents their shimmering single "Home", a captivating sonic experience that envelopes the senses in a reverb-drenched sanctuary. The trippy accompanying video was created by Italian multi-arts visionary Francesca Bonci.

Previewing the debut "Hello Sunbeam" EP, this is the first official transmission from the band, blending the sun-drenched textures of 60s garage rock with the restless energy of raw fuzzed-out modern indie spirit. Between the wash of tape echo and reverb, the track finds a sweet spot where lo-fi garage psych meets 90s shoegaze, all anchored by layered harmonies and an evocatively intimate vocal delivery.

The sonic brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Brant Hajek, Wooden Overcoat began in the isolation of 2020, when he returned to music after a hiatus, recording songs he'd written in his late teens. What started as a practice in self-production transformed into a deep creative obsession with soundscapes and gear. Recording in a rented basement, Hajek built the foundation of the EP through spontaneous experimentation—often veering away from planned sessions to follow sudden bursts of inspiration.

"When I wrote "Home", it kind of poured out of me, and I think I’m still interpreting it. But to me, it’s about acknowledging something beautiful, even if it can’t last. Two people who feel naturally paired, like elements of nature, slowly decomposing and self-destructing," says Brant Hajek.

"It’s about the inevitable demise of anything, and ultimately that we need to appreciate what is here right now and live in that magical existence. It’s about having the capacity to admire even when things are burning out."

A study in productive contradictions; while the lyrics and aesthetics might suggest a certain darkness, they are often rooted in inside jokes and a sense of warmth. Hajek’s creative process is a deeply personal, layered journey involving mumbled placeholder lyrics and a patient wait for the specific spark that turns an "emotionally restless" melody into a finished piece.

While Hajek performed every instrument on the studio recordings to preserve the project’s intimate DIY spirit, he has since found his tribe, assembling a full live band to translate these compositions to the stage. With Hajek leading the way on guitar and lead vocals, Wooden Overcoat is rounded out by Dillon Glusker on bass, Mac on guitar, and Brian Levin on drums and backing vocals. Through community, the band creates a fantastic dreamlike environment for like-minded people.

The name Wooden Overcoat—an old Americana euphemism for a coffin—hints at the project’s core philosophy: a playful balance of moody, mystical imagery with light-hearted humor. Hajek’s creative process is personal, the rough versions eventually coalescing into vivid, emotionally resonant themes.

This is Wooden Overcoat's first collaboration with Italian multi-arts visionary Francesca Bonci, well known for her work with The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport and Slowdive's Rachel Goswell, LA's Tombstones In Their Eyes, Federale (The Brian Jonestown Massacre's Collin Hegna), post-rock outfit The Quality of Mercury, and iconic British bard Philip Parfitt.

"Home" is out now, available from digital platforms everywhere, including Bandcamp. Wooden Overcoat's debut "Hello Sunbeam" EP will be released on May 9

LA psych-rock outfit Tombstones In Their Eyes present the single 'You Never Have to Love Me', occupying the uneasy space between collapse and clarity, tracing a moment where survival demands self-reckoning and the realization that repair begins from within. It is showcased by a superb layered and color-rich video by Francesca Bonci, who earlier created videos for the singles 'Under Dark Skies' and Alive and Well', dedicated to guitarist Paul Boutin, who recently lost his battle with cancer.

'You Never Have to Love Me' is lifted from the band's latest (and now acclaimed) album 'Under Dark Skies', released via Little Cloud Records (North America) and Shore Dive Records (UK and EU). Recorded and engineered by Paul Roessler (The Screamers, Nina Hagen, 45 Grave) at Kitten Robot Studios, which was co-produced by John Treanor and mastered by multi-platinum engineer Alex DeYoung at DeYoung Masters (Michael Jackson, BTS, Macy Gray, The Linda Lindas, TSOL).

What began a decade ago as two childhood friends (John Treanor in LA and James Cooper in NYC) swapping demos quickly grew into a full-fledged band. Today, Tombstones In Their Eyes is made up of John Treanor (vocals & guitar), Stephen Striegel (drums), Courtney Davies (vocals), Phil Cobb (guitar), Nic Nifoussi (bass) and Clea Cullen (vocals). Guitarist Paul Boutin remains a member of the band in spirit, having passed away in mid-October 2025.

"'You Never Have to Love Me' was written in September 2023 during a fertile period of writing. I was not doing well emotionally, and there was no intended meaning to the song as I wrote it. But as I look back on it now, this song seems to be about acknowledging my failures and attempting to find grace. The idea that “you never have to love me” is really about how I first need to love myself before I can attempt to make things right," says John Treanor.

"There are a lot of musicians on this track, with 3 guitar players, 6 people contributing vocals, 2 bass players and 1 drummer and 1 keyboard player. We split the bass parts as Joel was not longer going to be in the band and Nic was coming back in. I had them both do parts and we used some of each. Phil did an amazing outro guitar part that to me is a highlight of the song."

Complementing the A-side is another psychedelic gift in the B-side 'Everybody's Dead', which thrives on instinct rather than intention, letting subconscious fragments spill out in a way that is both sincere and surreal. It also marks a quiet origin point for the band, capturing the beginning of long-running creative partnerships that would go on to shape their sound for the next decade.

John Treanor explains, "We originally released this song on our 2016 'Bad Clouds' EP, which we didn't promote at all. I just let words come out of my mind impromptu while singing over the track, allowing things to seep out of the subconscious, sometimes real and sometimes nonsensical. This was the first record fully done at Kitten Robot Studio with Paul Roessler and the first time we worked with drummer Stephen Striegel, who is still in the band today. It was the start of 10 years of working with both of them."

'You Never Have to Love Me' is out now digitally, including Spotify, Apple Musicand Bandcamp, where the 'Under Dark Skies' album can also be found. The album is also available on vinyl via Little Cloud Records (North America) and Shore Dive Records (UK and the EU).

CREDITS
Written by John Treanor

Recorded & Mixed by Paul Roessler at Kitten Robot Studios (Los Angeles, CA)

Produced by Paul Roessler and John Treanor

Videos by Francesca Bonci
Band photos by Karin Johansson
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Portland outfit Wooden Overcoat debut 'Home' single - a gazey dose of psychedelic dreampop

Tombstones In Their Eyes drop dark jewel 'You Never Have to Love Me' from 'Under Dark Skies' LP (plus B-side)