Dolo Tonight is defining his own brand of “awkward anti-pop” with a coming-of-age concept album and a mission to bring fun back into music. The LA-by-way-of-New-Jersey artist, born Jonah Rinder, channels his offbeat energy into everything he does, whether he’s breaking the Guinness World Record for filming a music video at the highest-ever altitude or sneaking onto a high school campus to film a cast of elderly folks for a skit or sneaking onto a high school campus to film a cast of elderly folks for a music video. With millions of views on TikTok and a fanbase that appreciates the unconventional, Dolo crafts vibrant, genre-bending tracks inspired by indie pop greats like Phoenix and Passion Pit, all delivered with a colorful, tongue-in-cheek twist. Dolo knows exactly who he’s making music for: the weirdos, the outcasts, and anyone who’s ever felt like an awkward outsider. His infectious choruses and playful lyrics (about everything from crocheting animal sweaters to drunken cake runs at Wawa) reflect his belief that music should be as fun and authentic as possible. “I’m just a weird, fun dude. I love writing weird lyrics,” he says. “I just like saying weird sh*t.” That authenticity shines on his debut album DVD Rental Store, released via Epitaph Records. It’s a nostalgia-inducing, coming-of-age journey packed with bold anthems and buoyant chords. The project, produced with JUNO Award-winner Ryan Spraker, marks a sonic evolution for Dolo, who learned to let go of genre and perfectionism in the studio and embrace his full creative spirit. Inspired by the lost era of video stores, DVD Rental Store plays like a series of vignettes; With stories of underdogs (“Varsity Lip”), heartbreak (“Hate You Now”), friendship (“Two Pens”), and breaking free from expectations (“Live Your Life”). Dolo’s friends helped to shape the album’s visuals and voice skits, adding another layer of authenticity. At its core, Dolo’s music is an invitation: “You’re allowed to have fun. Let yourself have fun!”
Steadfast and straightforward creative conviction has guided Thrice since they emerged in the late '90s with a sound that combined hardcore grit and progressive ambition, establishing themselves as pioneers among their post-hardcore peers. From the underground punk scene to major labels and influential indie labels, with a rich catalog of intense, meaningful, and emotionally driven albums, Thrice is a singular entity that gains more significance with each new release among their fans. Dustin Kensrue (vocals/guitar), Teppei Teranishi (guitar), Eddie Breckenridge (bass), and Riley Breckenridge (drums) consistently evolve in sound and substance. From their earliest releases to the bold exploration over more than 20 years of material, Thrice built a reputation as a band for musicians and songwriters, and a group with consistent integrity willing to take artistic and commercial risks. Palms (2018), their first album for Epitaph, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Indie and Hard Rock charts. And they’ve never lost their connection to their diverse audience, which is best understood beyond the Billboard charts and massive streams, through personal impact and a relationship forged through years. “It’s always amazing when people say the music got them through something difficult, or became the soundtrack to pivotal moment in their lives,” notes Kensrue. The double-decade anniversaries of The Illusion of Safety (2002) and The Artist in the Ambulance (2003) inevitably fed the energy and creative self-assurance that resulted in Horizons/West. Horizons/West, their 2025 full-length studio album, arrives as a companion to 2021’s Horizons/East. It continues the themes and sonic ambitions of its predecessor while standing entirely on its own. The album finds Thrice further exploring and incorporating immersive atmospheres, cinematic guitar tones, and expansive dynamics without sacrificing the sense of urgency that propelled their classics. Songs build and bloom like flickering signals in the dark—equal parts introspection and confrontation. In 2025, Thrice reaffirms its legacy while continuing to push forward. “We’ve always just followed our curiosity, wherever it leads,” Kensrue says. “We want to keep growing, exploring, and making something that feels honest to who we are right now.”