THE SELTZERS

PITTSBURGH, PA INDIE POP TRIO

Blogs from The Seltzers

Album Bubbling and Brewing

Written by Nick Poprocky

Pittsburgh indie pop trio The Seltzers announced their upcoming debut album, Tangerine . The group has been in the studio for over 18 months perfecting their first full length release as a band. The record has not been given an official release date, but is slated for early 2025. The first four singles have been released periodically since July 2023. Each song has been a slightly different flavor, but the band's sizzle and flair is present in each of their tracks.

Artwork provided by Seltzer Records. Designed by Nick Poprocky.

Following the release of his two studio albums, The Way You Look (2023) & Prisms (2024), Nick Poprocky lead production efforts with band members Matt Innes and Scott Kepple. The collaborative sessions birthed four singles and five additional tracks. Innes provides primary vocals on the majority of the songs, but it is described by Kepple as, "a team effort" to "bring the vibes to life".

Innes, who co-wrote and sang on Nick's hit debut single Love On Holiday, is the businessman of this group. Confident in the quality of The Seltzers music, he carries the largest burden for bringing the songwriting to life - on stage, and through speakers.

"The album is going to be a fun and groovy ride for listeners," Innes said about Tangerine.

"It captures the highs, lows, and everything in-between for the past few years."

Music provided by Seltzer Records through Spotify.

Innes and his wife, Brynee, got married shortly before the completion of recording. The album is a trip into adulthood for him.

"Each track is a snapshot of moments we have lived through, so there is something everyone can connect with and enjoy."

Before his marriage, Innes and Poprocky shared an apartment complex. They would often record on weeknights, which led to a vibe that they both consider to be "relaxed," but comprehensive.

"We worked on Tangerine throughout the recording of The Way You Look and Prisms," Poprocky followed.

"I'm proud of my own work, and I learned so much. Those experiments made The Seltzers songs better produced in the end. Just experiment until we find something that we all love."

Poprocky stated that his solo work fed The Setlzers debut.

"Without Prisms, there is no Tangerine. "

The four singles that have been released so far have their own distinct ethos:

Dirty Chai Vibez is an upbeat, Prince-inspired dance number. It's provocative 808 drum pattern is smooth and tasteful.
Tangerines is a fizzy guitar ballad aided by a synthesizer and vintage CR-78 drum machine, i.e. 2000s Radiohead.
I'm No Romantic is a driving pop song with disco elements and a shredding guitar solo. It's anthemic chorus has made it the band's biggest smash hit.
Crawling Right Back is their most recent single and first co-write as a band. The instrumentation evokes a flavorful blend of The Strokes and a-Ha.

Though their singles has caught on with fans, Innes is most excited about the album closer: Flood (Stay).

"Flood, no pun intended, was one of those tunes thats came out of nowhere."

Innes wrote the song on a ukulele. He sent a voice memo to Poprocky as a new idea. Just a few sessions later, it became arguably their favorite song to work on together.

"It started with a few cool chords and lyrically turned into a song about falling in love out of nowhere."

Flood (Stay) is a standout on The Seltzers debut album. Another memorable moment is Don't Let Me Go, which may sound familiar to fans of the band's live show.

Tangerine is set to release in early 2025 via Seltzer Records. It will be the first, and certainly not the last, bubbly set of songs by this trio.

Song Review: Dirty Chai Vibez

Written by Nick Poprocky

A brand new Pittsburgh area indie pop band is bubbling up. The Seltzers have released their first song - Dirty Chai Vibez. The subversive track arrives with charming synthesizers, plucky guitar work, and a rhythmic 808 drum machine. The song was produced by Nick Poprocky and released on Seltzer Records in July 2023.

The studio trio is comprised of alumni from another yinzer rock band. Friday Jr. has been a staple of the western Pennsylvania alternative music scene. BB Luv singer Tyler Walsh is their frontman, and they have played on Pittsburgh's premiere alternative radio rock station. Friday Jr.'s own Nick Poprocky (guitar), Matt Innes (bass), and Scott Kepple (former bass) branched out to start their own carbonated project.

Kepple, Innes, and Poprocky (left to right). Photography by Scott Kepple. Graphic Design by Nick Poprocky.

Innes is the primary songwriter, guitarist, and singer. Kepple grooves on a "creamsicle" bass. Poprocky shreds lead guitar and produces the band in his studio. Their very first release is a delightful bop that strays far from the anthemic guitar rock of Walsh & co.

Dirty Chai Vibez exists to make you dance. The provocative, confident track fades in with a pulsing drum machine, lead guitar riff, and group vocals in unison - "woo!". Poprocky's vocals detail a classic "love at first sight moment", but from the perspective of a cocky mid-twenty-something. The vibe and production style says Gorillaz, while the songwriting and themes channel Tunnel of Love era Bruce Springsteen.

Poprocky cites Damon Albarn's production style as heavily influential on Dirty Chai Vibez. It's songwriting style is reminiscint of late-80s Springsteen, who is one of the heavy influences on Poprocky's solo music. Music provided by Warner Records and Columbia Records, respectively. Acquired via YouTube VEVO.

The highlight of the song is its generally playful nature. Kepple's "la la la" backing vocals are infectious. The chorus effects on Innes's guitar are quintessential for the indie pop vibe. Poprocky sneaks in fun quips between band members throughout the guitar solos and outro sections.

When the band sings "baby put down your chai tea and dance in those shoes", they surely mean it. The track makes your feet tab, head bob, and shoulders sway. The main question is: why write a song about tea?

"It's not about tea," Poprocky said with laughter when interviewed by collaborator Julia Ruggiero.

"I wrote it on the way home from my friend's wedding. The chai thing stands for something else. It's up to [the listener] to figure out what I'm talking about."

Ruggiero is a best-selling poet and author. She is also the photographer and frequent collaborator for the band. Her books can be purchased or rented here.

"It's the most suggestive song I have ever written," Poprocky added.

Innes tracking the drums for Dirty Chai Vibez. Photo by Nick Poprocky.

"It's a banger," Innes said about the track. "It just sounds great, man". Though he does not sing lead vocals on this particular song, he implied that plenty of songs will be coming in which he does.

Kepple added a simple remark: "ker-chi," while making the hand gesture of opening a can of seltzer water. The band's chemistry carries beyond just the stage and studio; this group genuinely enjoys collaborating.

The band performed the song on release day in Verona, PA. Put down your chai tea and dance along.

Videography by Victoria Poprocky.

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