Next Wednesday, South Korean band can’t be blue will take the stage at Rock in Roma for their very first performance in Europe. Ahead of the show, members spoke to us exclusively about their musical journey, staying true to their roots, collaborating with Han from Stray Kids, experimenting with new sounds, teasing a brand-new song they’ll perform live for the very first time, and sharing their excitement about meeting their European fans for the first time.
The five-member indie band made its debut in 2024, but their music blends a variety of genres, including indie rock, alternative rock, pop, R&B, and soul. Their name reflects their mission to create music that lifts people’s spirits.
Ahead of their performance, we had the opportunity to sit down with the members of can’t be blue for an exclusive interview.
Your music naturally blends indie rock, soul, and R&B. Are there any genres you’d love to experiment with in the future that your fans might not expect?
We already move comfortably between indie rock, soul, and R&B, so for us the next step feels more textural than a genre jump — things like subtle electronic or ambient touches layered into a rock foundation. We’re curious about darker, more atmospheric production too. Nothing drastic, just new colors added to what’s already “can’t be blue.”
Are there any plans for a new album in the near future?
Actually, we’re going to preview a brand new song live for the first time in Rome. It might feel a little early since our first full album just came out, but we think we’ll be back with something new before the summer heat fully fades. We hope you’ll enjoy both this album and the new track we’re about to share.
Who were the artists or bands that inspired you while working toward becoming can’t be blue? Are there any Korean or international musicians you consider as your role models?
We each grew up listening to very different things — one of us has followed the Billboard Top 100 almost exclusively for over ten years, another leans into R&B and soul, and another grew up on J-pop. That mix is probably part of why our sound feels layered. We’re less interested in copying a specific artist and more inspired by artists who’ve stayed true to their identity as they grew — nationality doesn’t really matter to us.
South Korea has such a diverse and vibrant music scene. As an indie band, how do you see your place within it? What makes the indie scene unique compared to other parts of the industry?
For us, being indie really meant not having a company behind us — we did everything ourselves, from designing our own merch to writing every song, so “cottage industry” is honestly the more accurate description. These days we have a team helping out and we’re not hand-making merch anymore, but we’re still writing every song ourselves. What makes the indie scene special is that raw, unpolished quality that comes from not having capital shaping every decision.
Your collaboration with Han from Stray Kids brought together artists from different musical backgrounds. What did you enjoy most about working on that project?
Watching a song grow beyond what we originally imagined. HAN brought a different rhythmic and lyrical sensibility, and it pushed us to try angles we wouldn’t have found on our own. It felt less like a “feature” and more like writing together in the same room.
If you had never started the band, what do you think you’d be doing today? Do you believe music would have found its way into your life regardless?
Honestly, we think music would have found us one way or another — whether as songwriters, session musicians, or just people who never stopped playing in our free time. It’s hard to imagine a version of us that isn’t making music in some form.
Your latest single has its own unique atmosphere. Was there anything about creating it that challenged you or made you approach songwriting differently than before?
This song faced us with a more vulnerable, unfiltered version of ourselves lyrically rather than a bigger, more polished sound — feelings that can be shaken by something as small as a single falling petal. Trusting a quieter arrangement to carry all of that was new for us.
In just a few days, you’ll be taking the stage at Rock in Roma this July. What emotions are you feeling as you prepare to perform for your European audience?
Excited and a little nervous, in the best way. This will be our first time performing in Europe, so we don’t know exactly what to expect from the crowd — but that’s part of what makes it exciting. We just want to play honestly and see where the energy takes us.
Source: Interview with the band can’t be Blue, Kinetic Vibe
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