Talk about a bicoastal rock and roll link-up! On their new split seven-inch, the New York City band voyeur and the Los Angeles band untitled (halo) have thrown down one of the more definitive documents of American indie this year. Both bands have a lightly damaged, slightly glazed take on an eternal guitar music language, one part of a larger lineage, no doubt, but also cognizant of the shifting musical realities that mark our time and place. And you know what? It’s got the punters going feral. 

Today, we are excited to premiere not one but two music videos, for “Eyes Full of Tears” by voyeur and “doomcomplex” by untitled (halo), both songs taken from the split. We also sent over some quick email questions to the whole crew. Check their answers, watch the videos—directed by voyeur’s Sharleen Chidiac and untitled (halo), respectively—and listen to the release on Nina below.

How did this split come about?

Ari: We played a show together in London at The George Tavern. I remember we stayed to watch voyeur and thought it was the coolest set ever. Their stage presence and in general aura LOL. But I think we just fangirled over them at that point, and seemed like maybe vice versa and voyeur proposed the brilliant idea and we were immediately into it. Really neat idea to bridge the gaps between the two cities via our bands.

 

Jake: I always wanted to make a seven-inch split record. I was happy when untitled (halo) was down for it.

Jay: A bicoastal crossover episode with the Brian Eno-curated No New York and Dangerhouse’s Yes L.A. compilations in mind. Screenshotting a moment.

Could you talk a bit about each of your respective songs and music videos on this record?

Ari: We made our song right after we had the initial talk idea with voyeur. I think our song just sounds a lot like the title. Kind of spooky … Doomy…

Jay: The video was inspired by my astigmatism, Jack’s edit is like my heart rate.  

Jack: Does it need an epilepsy warning?

Sharleen: “Eyes Full of Tears” came out of tragedy. I was grieving the sudden loss of a family member and the song just poured out of me. The song is very personal for me, it's mournful, so I wanted a video that showed that. I didn’t want anything to distract from the emotion. I thought the best way to show that would be in a one take.

Jake: Sharleen and I made the video with our friend Kayhl. We all decided that the camera shouldn’t move at all, it should just be there to document her performance.

Can you remember the first time you met? 

Ari: The George Tavern in London this past November. I gave Sharleen a shirt because she is a muse and I wanted to ensure she was walking around New York in a tank top ha ha. 

Jake: I first saw untitled (halo) in NYC last summer. I’ve been into their music from afar. It was cool we got to share a bill when we were in London. That was my favorite show of our UK tour.

Sharleen: Charles Hayward also played the George Tavern show, it was a truly spiritual experience watching him play, and I think we are forever bonded with everyone at the show because of his set.

What do you think your two bands have in common? Do you see yourself as part of a larger moment in independent music?

Sharleen: Three brunettes and a dirty blonde.

Jack: Alternate tunings.

Jake: I don’t know about a moment, but we feel very indebted to the music that came before us and the most I can hope is to keep the spirit alive.

Related: What is the state of rock and roll in 2025?

Ari: I don’t know, I think it's good? 

Jack: Nettspend is Nirvana.

Jay: “...something to be either eulogized wistfully or frantically resuscitated.”

Jake: It’s very good.

voyeur: What’s your favorite thing about Los Angeles?

Jake: It’s where the movies are made.

Sharleen: The canyons and the hills, the desert, the driving around, all the things we don’t have in New York.

Max: Palm Trees.

Sharleen: David Lynch.

(untitled) halo: What’s your favorite thing about New York?

Ari: Omg. Everything. I love walking.  I love going to Dashwood. I love pizza. I love the parks. I love New York. 

Jack: The Statue of Liberty.

Jay: The smell of the subway. 

Let’s take it to the Midwest. Favorite Touch and Go record? 

Jack: Slint - Spiderland

Ari: Tight Fight - Shed ; p

Jay: Seam - The Problem With Me

Jake: Blonde Redhead - Fake Can Be Just As Good 

Sharleen: Fake Can Be Just As Good but also Spiderland and Music for Egon Schiele by Rachel’s 

Isaac: TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

Max: The Jesus Lizard - Goat