Cinders

When Cinders take the stage, the Salt Lake City, UT trio — Montana Smith [vocals, guitar], Adrian De La Cruz [bass], and Brad Bennett [drums] — uncork a flood of emotion and energy. The vibe beams from the musicians to the crowd and back again as if completing the most perfect circle. The chemistry between these three longtime friends manifests out loud within a lush and lively hybrid of alternative, indie, and pop. After generating millions of streams, earning critical acclaim, and packing shows, this spirit courses through a series of 2024 singles and the group’s forthcoming next project.

“Live music is definitely a big ‘why’ behind Cinders,” affirms Brad. “We love connecting with fans up close. There’s nothing like it.”

“It’s what we get the most excited about,” adds Montana. “It gives us motivation. When we’re writing, we’re focusing on how to make the shows even more fun. The best thing is when the crowd sings back to us.”

Crowds have sung back to the band since the release of their self-titled debut, Cinders, in 2016. Under the influence of collective favorites The Front Bottoms, Grouplove, and Twenty One Pilots, they architected an inimitable sound steeped in irresistible melodies and artful instrumentation. Two years later, they maintained their momentum with 2018’s Looking Forward To Looking Back highlighted by “Sleep Walking.” The song lit up DSPs, amassing over 1.6 million Spotify streams and counting. On its heels, No One’s Home incited critical applause upon its release in 2021. Taking their music worldwide, the group has canvassed North America in addition to the UK, attracting a fervent following internationally. Throughout 2023, the guys continued to write, record, and cultivate their signature style, expanding the sonic palette in the process.

“With this new project, we intended to have broader strokes,” Montana says. “We’re having a lot more fun with how dynamic we can write. It’s very much a combination of everything we’ve done, but we’re also branching into new territory that we haven’t explored in the past.”

That’s instantly apparent on the lead single “Going Nowhere.” The track’s breezy and understated intro gives way to a propulsive crescendo fueled by a bold beat and distorted guitar. A chantable chorus takes hold and never lets go as Montana observes, “I’m going nowhere, but one day, I’ll get there.”

“The main lyric is important,” the frontman notes. “For me, it’s the feeling of not knowing which
direction you’re going in, but you know you’ll eventually get to your destination as long as you keep working towards it.”

Elsewhere, the upbeat “Gold Pearl” hinges on a slick acoustic bass and head-nodding drums beneath a mesmerizing vocal turn from Montana.

“It’s expressive and experimental, but it’s also chill and vibey,” Brad says. “It’s got a clear balance.”

Then, there’s “Safety Scares Me.” With production from Mike Sapone [Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, The Front Bottoms], it layers electric guitar over a danceable beat. Simultaneously, the lyrics evoke multiple meanings.

“When it comes to our band, we always say, ‘Having a Plan B distracts you from your Plan A,’” laughs Montana. “With Cinders, we only have just had a Plan A. There’s no safety net to fall back on. The song applies the same idea to a relationship—romantic or otherwise. You basically understand your wants and desires are selfish, and you don’t want those desires to hurt anyone.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re at a show or listening at home; Cinders ultimately make the kind of music that reminds you to be in the moment and live.

“When people hear our music, we just want them to feel something,” Brad leaves off. “Whether it’s comfort, sadness, or feeling like they aren’t alone, we want to provide a moment of freedom or escape. I don’t think we’ve strayed from that goal.”