Los Angeles-based indie-rock band, The Walks of Life, will release their lead single, “Here All Night,” on Friday, September 17 from their upcoming self-titled album (December 3). Inspired by long days, hectic nights and exhausted inner monologues of mental burnout, “Here All Night” is a melody for hardworking hustlers going through the motions.
The quartet — which delivers a unique soundscape of introspective musings — prides themselves on writing relatable anthems for everyday walks of life. Composed of Sam Marine [guitar and vocals], Stamati Arakas [drums], Kameron Biehl [bass and vocals], and Joe Guess [lead guitar] — The Walks of Life stands at the crossroads of California soft rock and daring indie experimentation.
The music of Los Angeles-based indie-rock band The Walks of Life mirrors its name. The quartet — which delivers a unique soundscape of introspective musings — prides themselves on writing relatable anthems for everyday walks of life.
The group — composed of Sam Marine [guitar and vocals], Stamati Arakas [drums], Kameron Biehl [bass and vocals], andJoe Guese[lead guitar] — stands at the crossroads of California soft rock and daring indie experimentation as evident on their lead single, “Here All Night,” from their upcoming self-titled album (out December 3). Inspired by long days, hectic nights and exhausted inner monologues of mental burnout, “Here All Night” is a melody for hardworking hustlers and will be released on Friday, September 17.
The Walks of Life’s sound is an ode to their past roots in Florida, New York and California. “I suppose I have Florida and New York to thank for the energy it exuded and always pushing creativity,” says Sam Marine, the band’s vocalist and primary songwriter. “Los Angeles taught me when to reel it in and simplify things when it’s needed.”
These life lessons are reflected in The Walks of Life sound with soft synth and electric guitar riffs bound to get you lost in a sea-side drive down the California coast. These melodies, mixed with lyrics addressing unspoken — and sometimes chaotic — personal hurdles, allows their past and present to come full circle throughout the ten-track The Walks of Life.
“The most difficult part of writing this album was starting right before the pandemic and not being inspired to write quarantine songs like so many people did,” recalls Sam Marine. “We got shut down right after I started and I lost motivation to write, almost entirely.”
Instead of letting quarantine burnout get the best of them, the band decided to consider their inner selves and write songs such as the album’s sophomore single, “The Other Side,” which features Phil and Laura Stancil from The Morning Yells. A call to arms for those who feel like they are stuck and spinning their wheels, the song encourages others to get in touch with their dark side — the other side.
As quarantine continued, solo writing sessions at Marine’s kitchen table progressed. With only his guitar, a notebook and pen, singles such as “On Or Out” were run through over and over again. “I changed the lyrics sometimes hundreds of times before they were done,” says Marine.
He isn’t a stranger to solo writing challenges, though. Before the band formed in 2019, Marine was a solo artist paving his own way in the industry. “I never wanted to be a solo artist,” Marine says. “Playing in bands is what I’ve always done. It can be hard getting people to commit to being in a band, so I was a solo artist more out of necessity for a period of time to keep things going.”
As the band continues to grow beyond their personal hurdles, The Walks of Life’s cinematic score is sure to fit anyone’s soundtrack of life. The Walks of Life is out Friday, December 3.
