stagediver - stagediver

The self-titled debut from stagediver is the sort of album that takes a lifetime to create: a winding, resilient portrait of years spent searching, stumbling, and rebuilding. The project took shape in 2019, shortly after singer, guitarist, and songwriter Kelsey Kopecky – formerly of indie-rock outfit Kopecky/The Kopecky Family Band – befriended Brand New’s Jesse Lacey and began trading songs. Their creative shorthand quickly deepened, transforming Kopecky’s bedroom demos into risk-taking alt-rock teeming with the angular warble of the ’90s and razor-sharp melodicism. Soon, the circle expanded to include Brand New drummer Brian Lane and producer Mike Sapone: a trio of collaborators who not only understood her vision but pushed her to refine it, layering grit, grunge, and atmosphere around her bass-driven guitar style.

Across the album, Kopecky’s songwriting is as varied as it is focused, bridging the tension between who she is and who she’s told to be. It’s the sound of an artist claiming her place as a songwriter whose passion for music has only grown deeper with time. Even in the moments where life’s responsibilities – marriage and motherhood among them – might have threatened to eclipse her creative drive, her muse has never taken a backseat. Instead, it’s waited patiently, watching her life unfold and gathering up the stories and strength that ultimately make stagediver so alluring.

Album to be released on November 7th. Vinyl ships in early-November.

Track Listing