It’s easy to get stuck on the idea that all your favorite artists can only play one genre of music well. There aren’t a whole lot of David Bowies out there perfecting unique musical personas before moving on to the next one a year later—but Angel Du$t seem to be chasing this sort of goal, releasing LPs channeling a disparate set of sounds which often exist far outside the realm of hardcore punk, a genre their members have become well acquainted with in their day jobs playing in bands like Trapped Under Ice and Turnstile.
After launching in the direction of power-pop last March with their Pretty Buff LP, Du$t are returning with a surprise (well, not entirely) three-song EP of breezy, acoustic-guitar-fronted punk called Lil House. With Rob Schnapf producing in place of hardcore-whisperer Will Yip, his influence is pretty evident in the borderline-Americana aesthetic the songs take.
Along with the release, the group are sharing a video for “Never Ending Game,” a low-fantasy short film possibly relatable to anyone particularly missing live sports right now. Watch it below.
Lil House is out now—stream it here. Read on for some insight from vocalist Justice Tripp.
Was Angel Du$t initially a project meant to explore a specific sound, or was it always this broad in your mind?
I think the only thing we were totally on the same page about from the beginning was trying things; doing something out of our comfort zone until it feels too comfortable, then moving on.
Do you think acoustic guitar will always be central to Angel Du$t’s sound?
It’s not necessarily central, but I’d like to use it on anything else we want when it feels good.
Are there any Trapped Under Ice songs you wish you’d written for acoustic guitar instead?
Hell no!
Where did the idea for the video come from? Do you have any experience getting sucked into fantasy sports games?
The video was entirely Mason Mercer’s idea. I sent him the track to think about it, and although the lyrics are pretty vague, I think he understood it right away. When he mentioned the football stuff I was confused, but thought it sounded fun. I never really understood his vision entirely, but he’s one of a few people we have total faith in creatively, and the product is a video that makes the song make more sense.
What’s the weirdest habit you’ve picked up in quarantine?
Reading terrible news and crying.
