Some bands chase perfection. ALBORN chases whatever’s up the road in a rusted-out pickup, blasting riffs through blown speakers and filming music videos in their own backyards.
With the release of their new single and video for “Violent,” a track as raw and real as the beer-drenched Midwest they call home.
We spent some time digging into the band’s mindset during the making of “Violent”, and what we found wasn’t a PR strategy — it was more like a code of survival. Unofficial. Unapproved. Unapologetic. But if you’re trying to build a band that actually means something (and still have fun wrecking shit along the way), these rules might come in handy.
Stop Asking for Permission
There was no grand marketing scheme behind “Violent.” No big plan. Just a moment of clarity: make the music we want, the way we want.
“We weren’t trying to impress anyone this time,” says frontman Justin Taylor. “We’ve spent enough time guessing what people wanted from us.”
Turns out, doing it their way hit harder than anything else.
If It Ain’t Covered in Mud, Is It Even Real?
The “Violent” video was filmed in Justin’s actual backyard — no set dressing, no rentals. Just the band, dirt, and whatever they could break that day. It wasn’t about curating a vibe. The vibe was already there.
When in Doubt, Drag Race the Locals
Yes, while filming, an old ’70s Chevy rolled up on them. So they raced it.
They won. Then they went back to filming. That’s not a metaphor — it’s just how ALBORN operates.
Blow the Budget on Bison Burgers, Not Branding
If you’re pulling up to an ALBORN backyard party, expect the grill to be hotter than a stripper’s beeper. Their idea of a pre-show playlist? Roy Donk. Their idea of hospitality? Whatever’s cold and not nailed down.
Keep the Production Raw and the Intent Clear
Justin edited the video himself. There’s no polish, and that’s the point. When the content matches the chaos, slick visuals just get in the way.
Say What You Mean (Even If It’s Dumb)
When asked which lyric he’d give to his 15-year-old self from “Violent,” Justin chose:
“You’re out of line.” And what would teenage Justin say back? “Shut the fuckin fuck up, stupid.” Sometimes self-awareness comes with profanity. Fair trade.
Be the Band You’d Actually Want to Watch
No posturing. ALBORN plays it like the floor might collapse. They’re not here to look pretty — they’re here to mean it.
Loud Is a Lifestyle
It’s not just volume. It’s how you show up. Whether it’s in a dive bar, a dirt lot, or a random corner of Illinois — ALBORN makes it loud. Not just sonically, but spiritually. Loud in presence. Loud in conviction. Loud in identity.
ALBORN didn’t write “Violent” to go viral. They wrote it because they were tired of second-guessing themselves. And in that decision, they found the clearest, heaviest version of their sound to date.
If you’re looking for something that hits like gravel under your boots and sticks with you long after it’s over — welcome to ALBORN.