Built on Grunge, Aimed at the Future: Return to Dust on Sound, Success, and What’s Next
Photo Credit : Dakota Winters // SHOTBYAWRAITH
Up-and-coming rock band Return to Dust has taken us back in time in the best way possible. With their perfect mix of 90’s grunge sounds and modern rock, the band has been making quite a name for themselves after releasing their debut EP in 2023.
Touring with Billy Corgan and the Machines of God, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and making appearances at festivals such as Louder than Life and Aftershock, the future only holds more excitement for the band.
Come with us as we discuss with the band themselves about their inspirations, accomplishments, and plans for the upcoming year
Who inspired you to make music and who has influenced some of the sounds you emulate into your own music today?
Each of us have our own reasons for getting into music; Graham attributes his reasons to his mom for always singing folk songs around the house and brother for gifting him his first guitar. Seb says it was “metal music & Michael Jackson”. Matty attests it to his friends in high school for bringing it out in him. London says his parents were definitely his biggest influence. Growing up in a musical household with instruments everywhere, the drums always won. “I started playing around ten years old and got hooked instantly. My family put me onto the right stuff early on like, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Van Halen, and I couldn’t get enough.”
As far as sounds that influenced the direction of the band, Return to Dust says: “Our initial inspiration for the sound of the band came mostly from the 90s metal/rock/alternative bands like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Deftones, System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, etc. Today, we listen to a huge breadth of music. These inspirations are changing every day as we hope to expand the bands sound.”
What was the deciding factor for each of you to pick up an instrument and ultimately become musicians?
Graham: My brother who is 9 years older bought me an acoustic for my 11th birthday and taught me a couple licks, I was hooked.
Matty: My highschool friend group.
Seb: I liked music and thought it would be cool to learn my favorite songs, so I just did.
London: I heard Jukebox Hero and wanted to be that.
Bouncing off of that last question, what made each of you decide the instrument you play?
Graham: Me and Matty both played guitar but Matty definitely had more of a knack for the loud, electric style. I figured, fuck it, I’ll learn bass.
Matty: Eric Clapton & Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Seb: Guitar cool.
London: The furthest thing away from a stringed instrument that I could find was the drums.
You’ve recently announced a huge Europe festival lineup, what are you most excited for upcoming?
We’re honestly just excited to play over seas for the first time. Most of us haven’t even been over there at all in our lives and we’re excited to see the culture differences at shows. We hear that European crowds are a lot of fun.
Your single “Bored” has recently hit the charts in the Top 10 rock songs, what was your initial reaction and what is it like now it has settled in for you?
It’s kinda hard to fully understand what any amount of coverage truly means. I think the best indicator are the live shows and getting out there and interfacing with the fans. That’s where it’s really real.
You’ve had the opportunity to play with some big names, who’s an artist you haven’t played with yet but would love to one day?
Queens of the Stone Age. Album after album those guys pump out the most unique sounding rock music. It’s amazing how prolific they are.
You’ve been shooting a lot of music videos lately, which has been your most favorite to shoot?
New Religion. I think it was the most fun because it was largely unplanned. We had a general idea and a location, and 2 days to film… so we figured, let’s just have fun and see what weird shit we can make. Impromptu creating is sometimes just the best option.
Lastly, what is one piece of advice you’d give to other aspiring artists?
Don’t worry about what other people are doing, play to your strengths, stay in your own lane, and make stuff you’re really really proud of. The rent will get paid with diligence.