Columbia’s Indie Scene Gets a Jolt with Dead Spring’s ‘Anywhere But Down’
Columbia is buzzing! The local indie rock scene just got a fresh infusion of talent with the release of Anywhere But Down, the debut album by the Columbia-based band Dead Spring. This seven-track album, which came out last September, has been turning heads and chins over coffee cups in the city. With singer/guitarist Alec Edelson at the helm, alongside talented bandmates Sammuel Traquina on guitar, Morgan Johnson on bass, and Will Ashley on drums, Dead Spring is making serious waves.
The Music: A Journey of Sound
The album kicks off on a somber note, with a lonely voice-and-electric-guitar piece where Edelson muses, “What’s left to explore?/Why beg for more.” From there, it transitions through an emotional rollercoaster that gets increasingly heavier and more intense. Fans are already raving about the hit track Tired Arms—it’s a soaring punk-pop anthem that’s practically begging to be blasted on the radio. In fact, many critics say it delivers a dual-guitar line reminiscent of Iron Maiden. Talk about a killer compliment!
And then there’s Fast Asleep, which grinds in the best way before launching into a beautiful, sunburst verse. The album wraps up with two hard-hitting tracks, Elasmotherium and Cliffside, proving that Dead Spring isn’t afraid to take their listeners on a wild ride. With lyrics that cut deep into the human experience—heartbreak, confusion, regret—Edelson’s vulnerability shines through every note.
A Unique Musical Journey
What makes Dead Spring’s story more intriguing is that Edelson is also the frontman for Axattack, a thrash metal band known for its savage sound akin to early Metallica. The two musical paths couldn’t be any more different, which is exactly Edelson’s point. “It all started about seven years ago, when I stumbled onto the Foo Fighters,” he shared. “I craved something more melodic, so I wrote some songs, and it just snowballed from there!”
He’s not entirely ditching metal, though—the musician is still actively performing with Axattack while pouring his heart and soul into Dead Spring. “I hit a point where I wanted to explore something outside thrash metal,” he explained, showing there’s room for all genres in his musical repertoire.
Creating the Sound
Now, let’s talk about how Anywhere But Down came to be. You’ll be surprised to learn that much of the magic was recorded in Edelson’s humble abode. After earning a degree in Music Industry Studies from USC and getting some hands-on experience interning at a local recording studio, he transformed his space into a personal studio. “There’s no one charging by the hour when you’re at home,” he laughed. This allowed the band the flexibility to fine-tune every detail without the pressure of hourly fees.
They spent a total of six months working on the album, emphasizing that there was no rush to complete it. “We just kept telling ourselves that we didn’t have to rush,” Edelson said, pointing out the importance of having enough time to get the sound just right.
The Future Looks Bright
With their debut album out, Dead Spring has set their sights on expanding their local fanbase. Over coffee, when asked about their next steps, Edelson confidently said, “We’ve already got at least another EP or two worth of songs. It’s all about making sure there’s an audience waiting when we release something.”
So, Columbia, get ready! Dead Spring is here to stay, and they’re eager to bring you more of their unique sound. If you haven’t already checked out Anywhere But Down, what are you waiting for? The local indie rock scene is calling!
