Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, modern shoegaze, new wave, heavy grunge-pop trio Libbianski recently released a three-song, self-produced EP titled Episode 1 (Over The Hill Records), along with a music video for lead single “Continue The Sad,” filmed by their bassist, Nat Reid.
This new EP follows the band’s successful 2024 debut album, Useless Splendour, during which they toured New Zealand and Australia. Useless Splendour was recorded by Troy Kelly (The Armoury), mixed by Chris Johnson (Deafheaven, The Electric Bunker), mastered by Alan Douches (West West Side Music, NY).
Libbianski drummer Tom LaHatte took time for this OOTB Interview to discuss the new EP, lead single, genre approach, plans for 2026 and more.
How did you approach Episode 1 (lyrically, musically, recording) differently than the band’s debut, Useless Splendour?
I think we all sorta decided to go back to basics with our songwriting approach, and push a grittier heavier sound as we moved to a three-piece option.
Less layers on the live sound, and I think our new music captures all of our music backgrounds.
The recording process was really different this time around, we basically turned our jam space into a DIY recording studio.
There was a big learning curve, but I think it really helped carry across our new raw sound.
“Continue The Sad” is phenomenal with its eerie vibe, tuning and haunting lyrics, along with the black-and-white video—which doesn’t feature any of the band members, like most of today’s videos do. How did you decide to approach the video and correlate that with the song?
Nat, our bassist, really took the wheel on that one.
The direction she took with the flora and fauna of Wellington really captured the dark gloomy vibe of the song, and honestly, I think not having to film us all made it both easier to get out, and also just create a great visual accompaniment for the track.
Why did you choose “Continue The Sad” as the album’s lead single to introduce the album, or even as an intro to your band for first time listeners?
We talked about it, and I think it was a great demonstration of the new sound that we had been working on post our last release.
It keeps our shoegazey atmospheric sound, while also working in the new darker, heavier sound that we have come up with.
What is that appeals to you or pulls you in with the particular genres you explore and expand on in your music?
I think for myself, it really comes from the outside influence of music I listen to, and I think it’s the same for the band.
We all have a diverse range of music we listen to, and some band favourites like Fleshwater, Deftones and Trauma Ray.
It also comes back to our individual history as musicians as well
What are your goals going into 2026? Both personally yourself and for the band in general?
Definitely tour around New Zealand [and] put out a new full-length album.
Hopefully getting out of New Zealand as well, and doing some touring overseas, and build on our new sound.
Watch “Continue The Sad”
Hear Episode 1
https://libbianski.bandcamp.com/
Libbianski is:
Kurt Williams - guitar/vocals
Nat Reid - bass/vocals
Tom LaHatte - drums
Connect With Libbianski
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