Interview by Angela Croudace
Post-rock outfit In Transmission are back with their new EP, Betterment, a record that blends atmospheric beauty with an urgent social conscience. Frontman Martin says the inspiration behind lead single Catching Up (and the EP as a whole) comes from observing a world plagued by environmental and civil issues, often met with apathy.
“When it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy not to care,” Martin explains. “But if we ignore these things and just focus on our own individual lives, it’s going to catch up to us.” That message of personal accountability, particularly through mindful spending and daily decisions, threads through the band’s latest work.
Betterment also represents an evolution in In Transmission’s sound. Known for their instrumental, post-rock style, the group has embraced a more vocal-forward approach, blending melodic guitar layers with a heavier edge. “It’s about trying to do better in all aspects — creatively and personally,” Martin says. “We’ve naturally gravitated toward a heavier live set, but still hold onto the atmospheric elements.”
Recorded with longtime collaborator Beau Burchell, the EP benefited from Burchell’s ability to enhance rather than overhaul the band’s ideas. “He just takes what we have and makes it sound way better,” Martin notes.
The writing process remains rooted in live jamming, with songs developing organically — sometimes in a single rehearsal, other times through extensive trial and error. Influences range from post-rock staples Mogwai and Sigur Rós to post-hardcore acts like Thrice, Citizen, and Basement.
The Catching Up music video, filmed in a Los Angeles photo studio, takes a simple performance setup and adds a playful twist in the form of a motorised rotating floor. “It started as a joke,” Martin laughs, “but ended up being some of the coolest shots.”
While touring is on hold due to new arrivals in the band’s extended family, Martin hopes Australia is in their future. A keen surfer, he dreams of spending a month exploring the coastline. “That’s why I haven’t gone yet — I want to do it properly.”
For now, Betterment captures a band balancing introspection and intensity, with music that resonates as much in a wedding aisle as it does in a packed venue. Watch the interview for more on the sweet request from a fan to walk down the aisle to an In Transmission song.
Become a supporter of this podcast:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
