OurSpace with Matt Vettese

Hawthorne Heights on The Importance of Emo & 20 Years of "If Only You Were Lonely"

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In this episode of OurSpace, I sit down with JT Woodruff of Hawthorne Heights to celebrate 20 years of If Only You Were Lonely and talk about the lasting impact of 2000s emo.
JT opens up about:
-The 20-year anniversary tour for If Only You Were Lonely-The real story behind Ohio Is for Lovers-Why Hawthorne Heights proudly calls themselves an emo band-The emo resurgence, When We Were Young, and Warped Tour nostalgia-Multi-generational fans discovering emo through Spotify & Myspace-era roots-The meaning behind deep cuts like “Decembers” and “Dead in the Water”
We dive deep into third-wave emo, the 2000s alternative scene, Myspace culture, DIY touring, and why emo has become one of the most resilient genres in modern music.
🎟️ Grab tickets to the 20 Years of If Only You Were Lonely tour🎧 Subscribe for more interviews with emo, pop punk & alternative artists
#HawthorneHeights #EmoRevival #IfOnlyYouWereLonely #OhioIsForLovers #EmoMusic #PopPunk #WarpedTour #WhenWeWereYoung #2000sEmo

Good Sleepy on Growing Up, Constant Humming & Their Most Honest Record Yet

Five years after their debut, Good Sleepy are back with their sophomore LP Constant Humming and it might be their most cohesive, mature, and emotionally honest record yet.
In this episode of Ourspace, Matt sits down with Seth, Thomas, and Jack to talk about growing up between albums, moving beyond being a “high school band,” and what changed in their songwriting process this time around.
🎧 Constant Humming is out now! Let us know your favorite track in the comments.
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Good Night Moon on How Adulthood Has Re-Inspired Songs Written 20 Years Ago

Goodnight Moon are back!
Nearly 20 years after emerging from the South Florida DIY emo and post-hardcore scene, the band has reunited to re-record their early 2000s material, revisiting the songs that they wrote as teenagers and reimagining them with the perspective of adulthood.
In this episode of OurSpace, we sit down with JB, Corey, and Rob of Goodnight Moon to talk about:
The Florida emo scene in the early 2000s
Playing shows with bands like Taking Back Sunday and Bayside
Why they chose to re-record their original material
Growing up in the Warped Tour era
Whether emo nostalgia is becoming the millennial version of 80s night
Losing music in the MySpace reset
Vocal surgery, second chances, and what “being back” really means
We also dive into the resurgence of guitar-driven music, the evolution of the scene, and how technology has changed what it means to be in a band in 2026.
If you grew up feeling like an outsider and found your community through emo, pop punk, and post-hardcore, this conversation is for you.
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$KIN UP on Emo Rap & Identity: “I Don’t Fit in One Scene”

In this episode of Ourspace, Matt sits down with rising emo rap artist $KIN UP to talk about the intersection of rap, emo, and alternative music, and why the genre lines blend so well.
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Why Emo Still Matters: Demi The Daredevil on Pain, Art & Loneliness

In this episode of Ourspace, Matt Vettese sits down with Demi The Daredevil for a raw, vulnerable conversation about emo music, trauma, grief, authenticity, and building real connection in an algorithm-driven world.
Demi opens up about his journey as an independent artist, the pain that shaped his music, and why he believes much of today’s content feels like the “McDonald’s of music.” The conversation explores how honest, emotionally-driven art stands the test of time, while trend-chasing fades away.
We also dive deep into Demi’s latest EP Vanishing Point, including the emotional weight behind the song “Blackbird,” written about the loss of his best friend and bandmate. Demi shares how grief, mental health, and vulnerability fuel his songwriting and why emo music continues to be a lifeline for people who feel alone.
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"Band's Need To Build A Community" Interview with Better Hell

In this episode of OurSpace with Matt Vettese, I sit down with Better Hell for a wide-ranging conversation about building real community, modern emo culture, content creation, and the band’s upcoming music.
We talk about the state of the emo and alternative scene today, what feels oversaturated, what still feels exciting, and why genuine contribution matters more than chasing trends. Better Hell share their philosophy on creating meaningful content, supporting new bands, and keeping scenes alive instead of turning them into memes.
The conversation also dives deep into community-building. We break down why authenticity, real conversations, and “being a good hang” matter more than aggressive self-promotion, and how those values translate directly into building a fanbase for a band.
On the music side, Better Hell talk about:• Their sound blending alternative rock, emo, post-hardcore, and melodic hardcore• Collaborating with Aaron Gillespie (Underoath) on their first releases• Drawing influence from bands like Movements, Title Fight, Citizen, Anxious, Thrice, and Commonwealth• Writing without chasing a specific genre or trend• Why collaboration matters more than protecting ego in songwriting• What to expect from upcoming singles and a future EP• Playing shows with Secrets and plans for 2026 festivals and touring
If you’re into emo revival, alternative rock, post-hardcore, DIY community-building, or learning how bands grow authentically in today’s music landscape, this is a must-watch/listen conversation.
🎧 Better Hell — new singles dropping regularly📍 Follow Better Hell on Spotify, Apple Music & social media to stay updated🎤 Emo karaoke, live shows, festivals & more coming soon
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#BetterHell #EmoRevival #AlternativeRock #PostHardcore #DIYMusic #MusicCommunity #Underoath #OurSpacePodcast #NewBands

Ben Quad on Wisher, 2000s Emo Influence & Refusing One Sound

In this episode of OurSpace, I sit down with Ben Quad to talk about their new album Wisher, the evolution of their sound, and why they refuse to stay boxed into one genre.
We get into the band’s journey from DIY emo roots to a more polished, post-hardcore–influenced sound, the discourse around their heavier Ephemera EP, and how early 2000s bands like Underoath, Taking Back Sunday, Motion City Soundtrack, and third-wave emo shaped Wisher. Ben Quad break down their songwriting process, working with producer John Markson, recording at a farm studio in New Jersey, and how leaning into honest, vulnerable lyrics led to some of their strongest songs yet.
🎧 Stream Wisher now🎟️ Grab tickets for Ben Quad’s upcoming headline tour👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for weekly interviews with bands shaping the alternative scene

Greywind Talk About Creating a World Where It’s Okay to Be Sad: "Severed Heart City"

In this episode of OurSpace with Matt Vettese, I’m joined once again by Steph and Paul O’Sullivan of Greywind, marking their return to the show for a deeper, more reflective conversation about escapism, grief, mental health, and their upcoming record.
We dive into Greywind’s single “Make Believe (Love Me)”, the concept behind their upcoming album Severed Heart City, and why the band intentionally creates live shows as a place of escape and healing, rather than bringing the weight of the outside world onto the stage. Steph and Paul open up about the idea of performing as an alter ego, “fake it till you make it,” and how confidence on stage can inspire fans, especially young women, to feel powerful and seen.
This conversation also explores:• Writing “sad songs that sound happy”• Using music as therapy and processing grief through songwriting• The meaning behind recurring themes of death and loss in Greywind’s music• How their uncle’s passing shaped the band’s origin and emotional honesty• Why Severed Heart City is a place where it’s okay to be sad, but not stuck• The story behind tracks like “Coping the Coma,” “Moon,” and “I Kill All My Friends”• Balancing dark subject matter with hope, catharsis, and connection• Building a long-term artistic world and lore across records• Staying true to their sound while evolving into pop-punk and emo night anthems
Steph and Paul also talk about being dropped by labels, learning resilience, developing thicker skin in the music industry, and why believing in yourself matters more than external validation. We close by discussing touring plans, fan connection, and where Greywind wants to play next, including a strong love for Canada!
If you’re into emo, alternative rock, pop punk, emotionally honest songwriting, or bands that turn pain into community, this is a must-watch conversation.
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#Greywind #SeveredHeartCity #MakeBelieve #Emo #PopPunk #AlternativeRock #MentalHealthInMusic #ArtistInterview #OurSpacePodcast