Addicus, the Michigan power pop/indie band, recently joined Kurt Hauswirth to discuss their latest album, “A Story About....” The band, comprised of Josh, Lex, and new drummer Isaac, shared the inspiration behind their eight-track journey through personal struggles and emotions. The band also confirmed that former bassist Eric is no longer with the group, and they are currently seeking a new member who fits their priority of good chemistry and friendship.
The album's creation began almost immediately after their last release, driven by the band's constant desire to write and create. They noted that A Story About... represents a significant evolution in their sound, particularly in production. Josh, who handled the recording, aimed for a bigger and punchier modern pop sound, moving away from the "raw" approach of their first record. He balanced influences from early 2000s metalcore (for its punch) and 90s records (for a raw sensibility) to achieve a polished, large-scale feel without overproducing.
Vocalist Lex explained that songs like "Stupid Luck"—about lack of self-discipline and stagnation—come from a genuine place. She emphasized coupling these heavy, relatable feelings with a peppy, optimistic sound to address the issues without wallowing.
The track "Call Me (When It’s Over)" demonstrates the band’s expanded scope. Josh revealed he created the instrumental based on a desire for a breakcore shoegaze track, which Lex quickly adopted for the album.
Lex found the title track, "A Story About...," the most rewarding to record, allowing her to explore a softer, emotional vocal range. Conversely, "Mario Party Crashout!" was the most vocally challenging (which also features sampled audio from an *actual* Mario Party crashout).
With Isaac on drums, Josh is now able to focus solely on guitar live. Isaac noted the unique challenge of learning drum parts that were composed from a "non-drummer mind," resulting in rhythms that are musically different and sometimes difficult to execute live.
Hauswirth spoke with Lex, Josh, and Isaac of Addicus about their second album:
In balancing music creation with relentless online promotion, the band stressed the importance of setting realistic content goals and strategically blocking out time for activities like recording, even if it means slowing down on live shows for a period.
Addicus is excited about the positive reception for A Story About... and is already planning new music for early next year, alongside looking at potential tour loops, including a festival show in March. They encourage fans to follow them on Instagram for the most up-to-date information.
Find Addicus online on their Instagram or Bandcamp pages.
The preceding interview was part of a broadcast of The Shuffle on Nov. 8th, 2025.
