New York City alternative indie-pop rock band Don’t Believe In Ghosts return with their most personal and powerful release to date, But On The Bright Side, available everywhere this Friday, November 7th via Mindful Recordings. The band will celebrate the release with a special hometown show at Soho Live NYC on Saturday, November 15th, joined by special guests Moonwater.
The album title, But On The Bright Side, was born from a year that tested the band’s strength and unity like never before. Early in the process of making the record, frontman Steven Nathan was diagnosed with a genetic kidney disorder, forcing him to completely rethink his health, lifestyle, and priorities while pushing forward to complete the album.
Guitarist Dan DelVecchio nearly lost his ability to play after a serious medical condition required surgery, with recovery stretching longer than expected and putting the band’s live future in question. Drummer Ken Yang endured the devastating loss of his father and later faced a medical emergency that required life-saving surgery, followed by complications that sent him back into the hospital.
“It was hard wrapping mixes and putting the final touches on these songs after all we'd been through this last year,” says Nathan. “That’s really where the title But On The Bright Side came from. Even when everything feels like it’s falling apart, there’s always something to hold onto — and for us, that was the music.”
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Recorded across multiple studios including Mindful Recording Studio (NYC), Canyon Private Studios (Nashville, TN), and Mixing Night Studios (OH), the album represents a mosaic of collaboration and perseverance. The band worked with Grammy-winning producer Ken Lewis (FUN., X Ambassadors, Taylor Swift) and Cooper Anderson (Co-produced “Girl” and “Drowning”), alongside co-writing sessions with Brendan Benson (The Raconteurs), Don Miggs, and Nick Brown (MONA). Mixing duties were shared by Steven Nathan, Ken Lewis, and the legendary Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees), giving the album its dynamic and cinematic energy.
The album follows the success of recent singles “Driver,” “Brooklyn Baby,” and “Outta Your Head” — the latter currently receiving airplay around the world. Together, they set the tone for a record that blends introspection and optimism, transforming personal struggle into soaring, anthemic alt-pop.
While the past year brought uncertainty, But On The Bright Side stands as a defiant statement of resilience, creativity, and faith in moving forward.
When Don’t Believe In Ghosts return to the stage at Soho Live on November 15th, it will mark more than just a release celebration — it will be a rebirth.
“When we walk out on that stage, it’s not just about performing,” Nathan reflects. “It’s about everything we went through to get there — and the fact that we’re still here, stronger than ever.”