Indie duo Cults, comprised of Ryan Mattos, who uses Brian Oblivion as a stage name, and Madeline Follin, recently sat down with Mako Radio to discuss their latest album, “To the Ghosts,” and the ups and downs of touring. Known for their dreamy, introspective sound, Cults has captivated audiences since their debut in 2010, and their new album is no exception.
“It’s about revisiting the things we leave behind,” said Oblivion, discussing the themes of “To the Ghosts.”
The album delves into memories and loss, capturing a nostalgic, yet eerie, feeling.
“We wanted it to feel like walking through memories,” Follin added, describing the project as an emotional journey that blurs the lines between the past and present.
“To the Ghosts” has been on heavy rotation at Mako Radio, resonating with its diverse student audience.
“The reception has been incredible,” Oblivion shared, reflecting on the album’s reach.
The pair agreed that the record marks an evolution in their sound, both sonically and lyrically.
“It’s more personal this time,” Madeline said. “We’re digging into the emotional layers we haven’t explored before.”
But behind the album’s success is the grueling reality of life on the road.
On Nov. 4 – 6, they’ll tour in the United Kingdom. On Nov. 8 – 9, they’ll tour through Europe.
“It’s been incredible, but exhausting,” Oblivion said, sharing the toll that touring can take. “We’ve been doing back-to-back shows for weeks.”
Still, they were quick to express gratitude for their fans.
“Their energy is what keeps us going,” Follin added, with a smile.
One standout moment during the interview came when Oblivion discussed how rapper J. Cole sampled Cults’ song “Bad Things” in a freestyle.
“It was wild hearing him rap over it,” he said. “I didn’t expect something like that to happen.”
The surprise collaboration brought new attention to one of their early tracks, introducing their music to a broader audience.
“It’s cool how different genres intersect like that,” Oblivion said.
For more information:
To listen to Cults’ earlier and recent tracks, visit www.cultscultscults.com
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