In the music of urika’s bedroom, the ghosts of Midwest emo float above cutty breakbeats. These songs are made for gazing out of the window of a Greyhound bus as it moves through the heartland at sunset. The Los Angeles-based, Michigan-bred artist—government name: Tchad Cousins—makes indie rock for a new moment in time, with both traditional songwriting chops and an eye for sound design; it’s both contemporary and vaguely nostalgic. We are still rinsing their 2024 record Big Smile, Black Mire, so we wanted to reach out to the artist and learn more about some formative inspirations. 

Can you remember any formative musical moments that feel distinctive to your Midwestern upbringing?

urika’s bedroom: Going to a house show where the floor caved in.

What happened at that show?

I don’t remember it super well, those were like peak delirium days for me, but it happened at multiple parties, I think. Something with those Midwestern floors.

What did playing in a punk band teach you about making music, and do you still apply any of those lessons to your current project?

I don’t know if it was a punk band really but it basically taught me how to play bass, and what that dangerous thing is when you’re totally in rapture, suspended above the room but also sunken deep in the void. You don’t know where you are or what’s really happening but you keep playing. Gotta keep tapping into that fr.

Can you remember the first time you wrote a song that made you feel like you really “figured something out” as a musician?

I recorded this really terrible song of acoustic guitar, drums, and vocals into the built-in mic when I first got a laptop like 11 years ago. Recorded it on Audacity and it sounded totally ruined, like the worst thing ever, but it was exciting and felt like something I could own.

What kind of song was that first song you wrote? What genre? Do you still have a copy of that song floating around somewhere?

So hard to place, I would just say rock. I mean the drums and acoustic guitar were all blown out. I have an old hard drive that takes like two hours to load, it might be on there.

What is your favorite way to make a guitar sound like it's not a guitar? And who was the first artist that opened up your ears to this approach?

For most of the album it’s just running my guitar through a few granular synthesis plugins. But probably Fennesz.

Can you remember the first time you heard Fennesz? How did that make you feel?

I heard Fennesz at some point in college. I felt like I realized certain things about texture where it finally made sense. How to make certain emotions come across in this digital way that wasn’t terrible.

How much does driving influence you as a songwriter?

I think the song has to make you a little emotional when you’re driving to it, definitely. But other than that I would love for LA to have efficient public transit.

Do you have any LA public transit horror stories?

I was stalked for a few days. I would ride the train at like 5 a.m. to work and this guy followed me. I also once saw the aftermath of a fight and there was an insane amount of blood/bits of flesh.

Are there any scenes you aren’t a part of that still inspire you?

Not really.

Who is your dream collaborator?

I would love to make an album with Chuquimamani-Condori. Or Kim Gordon. But I might not need to be in that room.

What is the last great record you listened to, and why?

Moon Pix by Cat Power. That whole record she just has so much style on the vocals and everything.

What is the last great book you read, and why?

A couple years ago I listened to the audiobook for On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and nothing has really stacked up since. I felt something.

What did that audiobook make you feel?

That words could be true.