Better Strangers Reinvent Sound with New Instrumental EP

Better Strangers, a Miami-based band featuring drummer Nic Collins, has taken a bold step in their musical journey by releasing a new instrumental live EP titled Live At Gramps. The band has transitioned towards a more progressive sound, moving away from their previous lineup and vocal-driven compositions. Following the departure of former singer deCasa, known as Luis Santiago, the group has solidified its current trio, which now includes guitarist Joey Rodriguez and bassist Yang Waingarten.

The new EP, produced by acclaimed sound engineer David Bottrill, known for his work with artists like Tool and King Crimson, showcases the band’s evolution. The four-track release emphasizes complex instrumental arrangements, steering away from traditional vocal hooks. The trio explained, “Having released music under different band names with different singers, while playing all around the world despite an inconsistent lineup, Better Strangers decided to lean into denser, more complex instrumental compositions.”

The band has spent the past two years focusing on this reinvention, shifting their artistic direction to fill a void they left in 2023. They aim to carve out a new niche in the progressive music scene that reflects their ten years of musical chemistry.

Accompanying the EP, Better Strangers has launched a video showcasing a live performance at the iconic Miami venue, Gramps, which is slated to close soon. The video features all four tracks from Live At Gramps—including “Grifter,” “Dedalus,” “We/Heal,” and “Sleepwalking”—alongside two additional songs, “Ashes” and “Drinking The Tool-Aid.”

Looking ahead, Better Strangers will perform three shows in Florida during November, beginning with a concert on November 6, 2023, at Signal in Gainesville. This will be followed by a performance at Gramps on November 7, and they will conclude with a show at New World Music Hall in Tampa on November 9. Fans can purchase tickets to witness their new sound live.

With this latest release and upcoming performances, Better Strangers is poised to make a significant impact on the progressive music landscape while engaging audiences with their dynamic instrumental style.