The Los Angeles trio forges ahead with their incendiary blend of alternative, pop-punk & emo
Let the cold winds blow and with it, music to get lost in. Los Angeles hopefuls will grasp onto the seasonal change as best they can. Luckily, the trio of OUT IN FRONT will guide listeners in the right direction. With the release of their latest single, “Medicine”, they prove their worth. With a message of attempting a dream leading to a double edged sword scenario tied to life, the track resonates. Fans will connect with the shared themes and some.
Listeners enter a low place that is roused with the drums and the comforting vocals. A familiar rock fuel then pummels the track toward a feeling of frustration that is warranted. The pondering nature of the track leads to the importance of the chase and each note sharpens the path. Or does it make it more winding? OUT IN FRONT succeeds in offering a catchy element that is full of a meaning that is accessible by many who share a sense of ambition that requires consistent energy to complete. The adventure of the song reverberates easily and will be an earwig for the days that follow. An angst that is open to being received and understood.
Each member of the band had plenty to say regarding this song, their path and what lies ahead.
What themes aided you on “Medicine” and the new music coming? Was there a historical, cultural, or emotional element that helped you?
Madie Renner: A lot of the inspiration came from nostalgia, change, mental health, and the feeling of growing into a version of yourself that you’re not always sure you’re ready for. Medicineespecially came from reflecting on how quickly life can change when things start becoming more serious. There’s a certain sadness in missing the simplicity of who you were before, even when you know you wouldn’t necessarily want to go back. A really specific moment that influenced me was missing my dad’s birthday while we were on the road. I remember feeling horrible about it and feeling like I had let him down. It made me realize how much you can miss while chasing something you love. You’re experiencing all of these incredible things, but at the same time, you’re missing birthdays, holidays, time with family, and the normal moments that you can’t get back. That feeling of guilt, distance, and wanting to be present for the people you love became a big emotional piece of the song. Going forward, I also really want to move beyond writing primarily about romantic relationships.
I think love is an easy place to pull emotion from, but there are so many other things that affect us just as deeply. Mental health, anxiety, loneliness, guilt, identity, growing up, and the pressure of trying to build a life around something you care about are things I want to explore more honestly in our music. I want people to be able to hear a song and feel understood, even if the song has nothing to do with a relationship. With the new music, we’ve been exploring that tension between wanting to move forward and still holding onto pieces of the past. There’s also a lot of inspiration from the music and culture we grew up with, especially the early-2000s alternative and pop-punk world. We love taking those nostalgic sounds and emotions and putting them into something that feels current and personal to us.
What memorable moment from producing this work do you cherish, and why?
Ryen Wagner: I love this story because I was driving back from a festival when I got a text from Madie saying, “Let’s do a bass intro.” So, on the drive home, I was listening through all of these voice memos and ideas. When we got into the studio, we had the bass and drums for the intro fully fleshed out within maybe ten minutes. I think it’s really special how quickly we can work together sometimes. The entire song came together in about three hours, and that kind of creative chemistry is something I really cherish.
What hope do you have for 2026 that you think is needed in the music space?
Madie: hope more small and up-and-coming bands realize that building a career takes more than playing local shows and posting on the internet. Social media has been a huge part of our growth, but there’s been so much more hustle behind the scenes, especially on the road. When you look at the legacy bands we all grew up listening to, they didn’t build their careers editing videos from their bedrooms. They had to tour, fail, play to five people, learn from it, and keep showing up. I’d love to see more artists take those risks and put in the work to bring their music to life outside of the internet. So many of our day-one fans will always have those memories of showing up when there were maybe five people in the room, and it’s been incredible getting to build this world alongside them. Those real-life connections and experiences are what create a lasting career.
Is there an ideal band or artist you would love to collaborate with in the future, and why?
Ryen: I remember when we first started, South Arcade was just beginning to pop off, and I’ve always loved how much they lean into those early-2000s influences and aesthetics. I think that energy would fit really well with what we do, so a collaboration with them would be really fun.
Isaiah Volk: We would love to cross paths with The Paradox again, we played a few shows with them and had the best time and truly believe in those guys.
Madie: Honestly, I’d love to collaborate with anyone in the UK rock scene. Artists like Sam Fender, Florence Welch, Yungblood, or The 1975 would be an absolute dream. I also love this amazing band LEAP, who we’re actually going on tour with. There’s just something about the UK rock scene that I really connect with, and I’d love to keep bringing some of that energy into what we’re doing.
What advice would you give to musicians just entering the space that you wish you had known prior?
Isaiah: Keep an incredibly open mind, because this space can get difficult very quickly. It is so rewarding, but it’s also one of the most dynamic and unpredictable lifestyles you can choose. You have to learn to be comfortable with the unknown and find moments of presence that help keep you mentally and physically grounded, especially while you’re on the road. Surround yourself with good people, build a strong community, and support your friends in the scene as much as you can… Don’t be afraid to embrace playing for nobody when you’re starting out. Those moments are part of the journey, and they make the bigger ones that much more meaningful.
