DEC/EMBER's debut single, "Aimless," is a powerful, raw anthem that blends the energy of punk rock with an introspective exploration of life's uncertain moments. Hailing from the suburbs of Toronto, this new four-piece band bursts onto the scene with a mission: to craft hard-hitting tracks that resonate with anyone feeling lost or without direction.
From the opening notes, "Aimless" captures that all-too-familiar feeling of questioning your place in the world. Frontman Chris Allen Hess—known for his viral rock covers of pop-culture anthems—brings his signature voice to the table, conveying the frustrations of wondering, "Am I where I'm supposed to be?" The soaring instrumentals and anthemic chorus create an intense backdrop for these existential musings, offering a mix of power and vulnerability.
The song kicks off the band's debut album, XII, a journey through self-reflection, self-doubt, and the hope for change. "Aimless" asks listeners to consider their own life's trajectory, while later tracks like "Unbelievable" and "Time Ran Out" dive deeper into themes of betrayal and trauma. But "Aimless" remains the perfect entry point into the world of DEC/EMBER, setting the stage for a full album that is both cathartic and empowering.
With a background shaped by collaborations with bands like Hawthorne Heights and I the Mighty, DEC/EMBER's debut proves they are ready to make their mark on the punk rock scene—and they're doing it with heart, power, and purpose.
"Aimless" seems to resonate with feelings of directionlessness, yet it has an undeniable energy. Can you discuss creating a song that captures vulnerability and high-energy punk rock? Was there a specific moment during writing or recording that defined the track's sound for you?
We all have a shared love for high-energy music, so that sound came very naturally when we all shared input on the same track. We then sat down and discussed what troubles we were going through as individuals, and a lot of it came down to being the same age and going through the same transitions. Many people in their late 20s are starting to have kids and buy houses, but we all just want to jam out and keep afloat as individuals. It’s hard to feel like you’re on the “right track” in that headspace, and we figured others might feel just as aimless as us.
From starting as a fun side project to now releasing your debut album, "XII," what has the journey been like as a band? What do you think made the transition from friends jamming together to full-on band mode click for all of you?
Because we've known each other for so long, we already know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Thankfully, that allowed us to skip the growing pains that often come with starting a band and learning about your other members.
Chris, you have a strong following for your rock renditions of pop anthems on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. How has your experience as a cover artist influenced your approach to writing and performing original material with DEC/EMBER? How do you balance your style with the collaborative dynamics of the band?
Being a cover artist and an original artist are totally different worlds to me. When writing covers, I am typically worried about the online perception or doing justice to the original artist. Writing original music is something I will do regardless of if anyone listens, and we have taken that approach of creative freedom when it comes to writing as a band.
You all have a rich history of working with major acts like Hawthorne Heights and Dayshell. How have those experiences shaped your approach touring, songwriting, and performing live today? Are there any key lessons from those experiences you've carried into DEC/EMBER?
Our exposure to working with larger artists has allowed us to break the ice of understanding what goes into putting on shows at that level. It’s pretty common for local bands to get overconfident when they earn a bit of success, so playing next to bands that have truly earned success is a reminder that we need to stay humble and put in the work to truly accomplish our goals.
Despite the challenges—like the tire mishap before filming the "Aimless" video—DEC/EMBER has already experienced some memorable moments. Looking back on this debut phase, what has been the most surprising or rewarding part of getting your music into the world? What's next for you as a band after the success of "XII"?
The most rewarding part of this process has been feeling like “XII” is our best work.
Our prior industry experience has exposed us to writing songs the way we think others will enjoy, but we earnestly wrote this record for us. We just hope that someone might take something meaningful out of our experiences, and we will do our best to do those songs justice on stage.