Meet Idle Wave, soon to be one of your favorite pop-punk bands from Asbury Park, New Jersey.

After their debut in 2017 with the release of their first single “Alpern,” Idle Wave began to make themselves known in their local scene, building up to their 2018 self titled EP.

Now, two years later and after the release of their single “Home” earlier this year, Idle Wave have taken a step back to reorganize and prepare for new music, all while navigating what it means to be an up-and-coming artist during a global pandemic.

And with just under two weeks before their next single “Wolves” debuts on August 14th, we had a chance to chat with Idle Wave’s Guy Battaglia about the band’s future releases and hopes for 2021.

You can check out our full interview below, and be sure to pre-save “Wolves,” now.

Second Society Report: First off, how are you doing during this wild year that is 2020? I know a lot of time is focused on creating and staying afloat so we want to first take time to check in and see how everyone’s doing?

Guy Battaglia: Oh no! Figured this question was coming! So my 2020 was off to an interesting start since I was filling in on tour for a friends band. We were headed to Seattle back when that was one of the first “outbreak zones” and then by the time we got to Ohio the rest of the shows were cancelled. Then once I got home lockdown commenced. 

We’ve been super fortunate that our friends have been going about their work with the utmost safety and precautions and also that we aren’t in a heavily populated area such as New York or Philadelphia. 

This is definitely the most I’ve ever been writing and this summer we’ve spent a good portion in the studio/planning other work to shoot.

SSR: Tell us about Idle Wave. If you were going to give someone a quick elevator pitch on who you are and what your music sounds like- what would you tell them?

GB: *Clammy hands* “Do you like music that sounds similar to Early 2000s bands, but also isn’t at the same time? Damn. I messed it up! Is this your floor too?”

Honestly, whenever someone asks about my music I direct my references to who I think they would know. If someone’s my parents’ age I say Weezer/Green Day, but if someone goes to shows in our scene I say Julien Baker meets Death Cab.

SSR: Who makes up Idle Wave? Is it just you? If not, who else is in the band or part of the recording process? 

GB: At the moment it is primarily myself, but Sara has been holding down the low end and does a lot of the behind the scenes management. The new music we are working on now is with our friend Connor, who also gigs with us when the stars align. Before that we recorded some (still unreleased) music with Erik Romero and that was a tremendous experience. 

SSR: I saw on your website that some lineup changes have occurred- how has that changed things regarding writing and releasing new music?

GB: It has been freeing and intense at the same time. When we functioned as a unit we were always trying to satisfy everyone’s needs but our visions weren’t totally in line with each other’s. Working on my own schedule I’ve been able to write the songs that write new songs and dictate what happens next.

SSR: Speaking of new music, you have your new single “Wolves” coming out on August 14th. How are you feeling about new music being out there?

GB: I’m really excited and the music video blows me away even more. I’ve been super fortunate to show people in person some unreleased stuff but it’s weird sitting on more songs than there are on our Spotify. I cannot wait for this to open the floodgates on what is to come.

SSR: In regards to “Wolves,” what was the inspiration behind writing the track?

GB: Back when the project was Flammable Animals we wrote a song called “Can’t and Won’t” that we played out for a short amount of time. It was the closing track on our second EP and one of the first songs I put all of my heart and personality into lyrically. 5 years later those lyrics mean something completely familiar yet different to me at the same time. Now looking at music from a new angle and having more options of style and genre, Connor and I decided to shape this into a new direction.

SSR: I believe I saw on your website also that you are gearing up to release a new album sometime this year. What has the process been behind that? Do you have a release date?

GB: Unfortunately not until shows/touring start up again.

SSR: How has the pandemic affected the release of future music? 

GB: I’ve learned that having a community/scene and hitting the road is how to expand since this isn’t really music that can “blow up online” on its own.

SSR: If the world goes back to “normal” in 2021, what do you hope to accomplish? 

GB: Tour. Record. Repeat. Haha

SSR: Now my favorite question: if you could curate your own tour with any three other artists, who would you want to tour with? It could be anyone- disbanded or still around. 

GB: Oh somebody asked me this the other night and I spent an hour on the question still with no answer. I feel like Oso Oso would be an appropriate choice stylistically and for the sake of vibe. Latewaves are some of my favorite people and I’d love to tour with local homies. Owel should totally headline because they are the greatest band in the world and taught me a whole lot about everything. Everything. 

SSR: Lastly, is there anything you’d like to share that we haven’t asked yet?

GB: I found your site through The Ones You Forgot and they are some of the sweetest people who have always supported everything we’ve done. They just put out their first new song in 2 years and I couldn’t be more proud of Jenna and the boys.

You can pre-save “Wolves” now via this link, and stay tuned for future updates on new Idle Wave music by following the band on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and their Website.