Rock and Roll Revival and Pop Modernism: Pouts
Southern California Jangle Rock and Power Pop band, Pouts creates a timeline shift with their nostalgic 60s rock revival and modern sound.
Photography by Cody Cunninghamm / @cody.cunninghamm2 on Instagram
In recent years as society becomes entangled with the rise of superficial artificial intelligence and streaming platforms that strip away the identity and artistic visions of artists and creators. The rise of analog processes, physical media, and in search of embracing traditional forms of content and artistic expressions has become a rising concept within the new generations who are rejecting the idea of the rise of artificial intelligence. Among the Millennial and Gen-Z individuals born within the acceleration of technology and its eccentricities, the conscious mindshift of reverting back to vintage or older forms of formats has become a widespread movement that benefits and gives back to the community for the love of nostalgia.
As we travel back in time to the early sounds of rock and roll there are many notable musicians and bands that we consistently refer back to and even today as their legacy still continues on. The rise of rock and roll was not taken lightly as its roots began in rebellion and pushback against traditional values within the strict and formulaic customs of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Its early disposition beginning with the woman who changed the genre forever, Sister Rosetta Thorpe of The Pioneers,shifted and jumpstarted one of the most recognizable musical movements. The terminology and sounds of rock and roll has been taken into different subcultures throughout the years and evolving into its numerous categories. At its point of defiance began with acts such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones to name a few legendary examples. The massive upheaval of rising bands within the rock scene is one of the greatest phenomena to ever exist. And with that point in mind there is one particular band who takes on the elements of reminiscence of rock and roll and establishing their own name.
Southern Californian band, Pouts is an essence of the 60s revival of rock and roll and powered with jangle pop that makes their retro yet modernistic forward sound. The group consists of Danny Flores (vocals), William Castellanos (lead guitar), Rai Molina (bass), and Miguel Escobar (drums) who all make up the driving force of the band. Pouts is for fans of classic rock and roll who diverge their tastes into modern shoegaze indie pop especially if you like bands such as The Beatles, The Lemon Twigs, The Strokes, or Alvvays.
Pouts introduction to the scene began with their debut EP, ‘Moonshine’ in February of 2022 that includes 4 tracks, “On Your Boot”, “No Such Spell”, “Lonely Man”, and “Moon Humming” in which each individual song displays a retrospective sound that lingers with a saccharine and mesmerizing indie rock essence. The band’s sonic orchestration presents them with a divine step forward into the indie music realm that will become a known presence for their quaint nostalgic influences.
In following, Pouts put out another EP, ‘Waiting For a Popstar’ released in April of 2024 that includes 4 tracks, “If You Really Wanna”, “Break Bread”, “Glad To Meet You”, and “Waiting For A Popstar” lays a substantial groundwork of their oldie rock and roll foundations mixed with the pop melodies and song structures that dictate their presence as a revivalist of the era. The EP carries a personality that cannot be replicated as it presents a spin on the architectural steppings stones of early rock and roll, encompassing it with the aptitude of a youthful indie pop/rock edge. One of the key elements and compositions within the band that makes their music stand out is the use of vocal harmonies and riffy guitar lines that takes on a life of its own while still maintaining the credibility of the early rock influences. It's a collection of songs that explores the beginning traces of a romance, companionship, and outlook of a pristine future.
One of the highlights from the EP is the title song, “Waiting For A Popstar” that features buzzing guitars with a growing melody and a catchy hook line that catches your attention along with its progressive and jangly guitar solos. It’s the epitome of a structured pop song that is insatiable to listen to. Alongside with the track, “If You Really Wanna” also provides a groovy yet almost static sound with its powering bass lines and drums that carries a high vibrational energy that makes you want to dance around. Additionally, “Break Bread” is a track that is highly inspired by a shoegaze and rock influence with its sunset colored guitars that streak a warm hue of sunlight that is meant to be experienced under a mirage of a hazy scenery. Lastly, “Glad To Meet You” serves as a blissful break from the high energy of the EP with an acoustic and serenading instrumentation with grounding vocals that has the ability to reconnect yourself with your true being.
The band soon released other collections of singles throughout 2025 that truly amplified their direction of their jangle and power pop approach with tracks, “Stay Awhile”, “Worried Sick”, and “Tell Me” that all contribute to the growing identity of the band. The continuation of the retro influences stands strong and builds off of one another extensively. The track “Worried Sick” sounds like a modern version of a Beatles adjacent sound with its jumpstarting guitars that opens the track that sends you back a few decades in reminiscence. The melody of the song easily gets stuck in your head and fun to sing along to along with its extra layer of texture elements such as clapping set the tone of the song true to its vintage sound. Additionally, “Tell Me” is a flowy and summer-esque track with glittering guitars, jaunty bass and bouncy drums that displays a bright and hopeful sound that intertwines with a loving melody and optimistic songwriting about a growing connection. Furthermore, “Stay Awhile” is a live recording that embodies California culture. The song could be inspired by early Beach Boys with its riffy open guitars and vocal harmonies that uplifts your spirits. Its composition breaks for a moment before diving back into the chorus line and picking up where it started to continue its journey.
Pouts latest single release “Break My Heart Again” released in late February of 2026 encompasses the frivolous nature of a romance and the aspects of a falling out that burned out too fast. The song begins with an upbeat yet mellow guitar riff that implicates a shoegaze and dreamscape scenery. The slightly gruff and soulful vocals from Flores counteracts with the jaunty and melodramatic instrumentals that compels a raw emotion, tapping into another added layer of the somber songwriting. A repeating line of the track, “Come on, spread me softly. Come on and I’ll Break Your Heart Again. I’m not worried” demonstrates the need of envisioning a higher version of a flawless person who does no harm in the act of pursuing and giving love. It takes a poignant perspective of looking at the whole history of the love affair and figuring out what spiraled out of control that led to its fall. On the contrary, after discovering the exact pinpoint the individual desires to live it all again in the act of wanting a new beginning to start it over. The track amplifies the sincerity and longing for a reconnection despite all the troubled hardships. Its contrary beliefs of its wallowing lyricism counteracts with the bubbly and retro 60s guitar riffs atmosphere, creating the tension of a true heartbreak song. The song’s essence is adjecent to that of Turnover’s renowned and cult favorite album, “Peripheral Vision”.
Pouts reexamines what a modern band inspired by the building blocks of rock and roll alongside the influences of 90s-2000s shoegaze and indie rock could sound like. Their instrumentation is a blend that can span across many decades but still presents a unique and proper identity of who they are. The band’s retro inspiration comes across as a revival and injecting it with their own personal style to conduct a sound that is truly theirs. Pouts brings back the authenticity of power pop and jangle rock and the reasoning why it has always been a beloved genre as it can reach across many different audiences. Among the resurgence of going back to more of an analog period and embracing the quality of older music, films, and tv shows, Pouts is the representation of what those influences can become. The band is a reflection of a time period that individuals yearn for and their 60s rock and roll and indie rock flair composes a moment of time where timelines collide and rises to its occasion.
We had the chance to be able to interview Pouts for With The Band Magazine. Thank you so much to the band for taking the time out to collaborate with us. You can read the full exclusive interview below!
WTBM: Pouts has a very nostalgic sound that takes musical influences from early 60s rock and roll with raw buzzing intensity and a blend of modern indie-pop infused elements. What is your creative process in bridging between these two different eras to create your own power pop & jangle pop sound?
Pouts: “I’m not really sure what the creative process is really. But I’d imagine it comes from listening to both oldies and newer stuff too, and then getting influenced. Like hearing a song and going “oh I like that, I wanna take a crack at that”
WTBM: Pouts is currently working on new music for an album to be released soon! What can you tell us about the whole experience so far and has there been any breakthroughs that completely changed the way you approached in composing this new group of material?
Pouts: “Yes! We have a 12 song album coming and we’re finally almost done with it. I think a breakthrough has been that we started recording onto cassette tape because it sounds cool. A lot of recordings sound too clear nowadays, like how movies look way too hyper realistic now. We want to do the opposite really.”
WTBM: "Break My Heart Again" is your newest single that was released back in February, The track sounds nostalgic and timeless with its bright shoegaze sound mixed with an edge of rock driven guitars. How did this song come together and what can you tell us about the writing process?
Pouts: “Yeah, I like that song sometimes and sometimes I don’t. I think it was all written and recorded in a few days on my own, the drums are E-drums, which bothers me a bit but I felt a rush to get it done for some reason. So that’s what I did. It’s about a toxic relationship, or being toxic. Either one.”
WTBM: Every band undergoes a distinctive shift between their first handpicked pile of singles towards their first cohesive collection of songs. How do you feel the band’s songwriting maturity and sound has shifted from your earliest songs up from you EP, "Waiting For A Pop Star" up until your newest material in 2026?
Pouts: “I think our sound has changed a lot since “Waiting For a Pop Star”. Back then we were more focused on putting on a rock show and getting people to get hyped up. But now it’s less about what I think people want to feel when they go out, and more about how I feel at the moment, and if people like that then that’s great.”
WTBM: Being a rising band from Southern California comes with a massive music scene and a community filled with creatives who aspire to share their artistry out into the world. What's it like collaborating and creating new relationships with all the rising bands/artists and how do they inspire you to continue to follow your dreams?
Pouts: “I like people a lot, and talking with them. So playing shows and having a band around LA, has given me a really cool opportunity to meet people I would have never met otherwise. It seems like almost everyone in LA wants to be something, an actor, an artist, or whatever. And I like that.”
WTBM: When it comes to experimenting with music the possibilities are endless in the studio as it can diverge into many different directions. Has there been any quirks or unusual methods that surprised you while recording that later turned out to be what you were looking for?
Pouts: “Yeah, we like to experiment. Sometimes we’ll record a whole wall of vocals for just one section of a song, then listen to it a day later, and think what the hell is this and toss it.”
WTBM: The band plays at lot of showcases and DIY underground venues with other supporting bands on the lineup. Out of all the songs you've released, is there a favorite one on the setlist that you love to perform live or perhaps even a cover? (I really LOVE the Buddy Holly and The Beatles covers you've done over on Tiktok! They're both my absolute favorite artists, ever.)
Pouts: “Yeah! Thank you. We love Buddy Holly and the Beatles! I’d say a favorite song to play live would be ‘If You Really Wanna’ because it sounds fun and upbeat. We also play a lot of songs that we haven’t released yet, some of those are really fun to play too.”
WTBM: Being in a band with your closest and best friends, the dynamic of the relationship can bring you all even closer in terms of an artistic approach. What does each member bring to the band and how do you all incorporate the best traits of one another into the music?
Pouts: “Everyone in the band is talented. Rai, our bassist, makes a lot of beautiful ballads on piano, that I hope we record someday soon. Our lead guitarist William, knows a lot about music recording and gear. And our drummer, Miguel, is really good at making a simple sounding song, sound more lively for sure. I usually write the songs but they help me in adding melodies and what not, that I wouldn’t have thought of all on my own.”
WTBM: Pouts sound channels elements of the 1960s Mod and British culture as well as the California Dream. Are there any classic vintage films, fashion icons, or old television broadcasts that visually inspire the mood of the band or in your personal life?
Pouts: “Yeah, I feel like we all draw a lot of inspiration from things or the past. My mom was a big Beatles fan, so she’d have a bunch of Beatles books lying around that I’d flip through as a kid. We also take a lot of inspo from Jonathan Richman, the Ramones, the Clean, Orange Juice, and anywhere really. I like looking through art/ photography books, I think that has some effect too.”
WTBM: What do you see the direction of Pouts going towards within the next year and what can fans expect this time around? Hopefully new music and lots of upcoming live shows or a tour!
Pouts: “I’m not really sure to be honest, when talking about the direction of Pouts in the future. But I do know that we have a lot of songs coming out, which I’m really happy about. Some have been sitting on a shelf for years and years, and others were made just a few weeks ago. Which makes for a good blend. I’m just excited to put out material, that I feel is more of what Pouts sound actually is.”