<\/p>\n
With their latest release,\u00a0\u201cHeavy Pulp,\u201d The\u00a0Technicolors\u00a0add grit to the sweetness,\u00a0giving their sound weight, texture, and something to hold onto.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Electric guitars drift in and out of focus, anchored by steady rhythms and\u00a0tension\u00a0that\u00a0keep\u00a0each track from settling too comfortably.\u00a0Frontman Brennan Smiley\u2019s vocals balance restraint and release, while the production feels both polished and intentionally\u00a0worn in.\u00a0From start to finish, the record is full of substance beneath the surface, revealing new layers with each listen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Phoenix indie rock band The\u00a0Technicolors\u00a0joined\u00a0In\u00a0The\u00a0Groove<\/em>\u00a0to talk about their latest record, their evolving creative process, and their connection to Michigan ahead of their upcoming show.\u00a0<\/p>\n Smiley says \u201cHeavy Pulp\u201d\u00a0was built on collaboration and focus. \u201cIt was good to have a set amount of time where we could all be together\u2026 just get in the studio and be a band,\u201d he said. That approach marked a shift from their\u00a0previous\u00a0album, which he called \u201ca pandemic Frankenstein,\u201d pieced together across different sessions and circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\n This time around, the band leaned into being fully present. From implementing a \u201cno phone in the studio\u201d mindset to avoiding direct musical references during writing, their process was intentionally stripped back. \u201cIt just changes the level of presence,\u201d Smiley explained. \u201cYou get more ideas,\u00a0that\u2019s what you\u2019re there to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n That sense of experimentation also came from looking beyond traditional influences. Instead of drawing directly from other artists, Smiley found inspiration in unexpected places. \u201cI\u00a0actually wasn\u2019t\u00a0really listening to a ton of music.\u00a0I was really into Radiolab podcasts,\u00a0they\u00a0feel like little movies with just sound,\u201d he said, pointing to the band\u2019s ongoing interest in cinematic textures and atmosphere.\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, the foundation of The\u00a0Technicolors\u2019 sound can be traced back to classic influences. Smiley cited Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles as formative artists, adding, \u201cThat was kind of my teenage guitar-player starter pack.\u201d He also highlighted The Dark Side of the Moon as a lasting inspiration: \u201cIt\u2019s still maybe my all-time favorite album;\u00a0it just kept on giving.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With family ties to the Detroit area and a long-awaited return to Michigan, the band is especially excited to reconnect with audiences. \u201cIt\u2019s been a minute since we\u2019ve played in Michigan\u2026 we\u2019re excited to come back,\u201d Smiley said. The\u00a0Technicolors\u00a0will be performing at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on March 20<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n