FRET12 SESSIONS
Neptune's CORE –Live Performance
Neptune’s Core swung by the FRET12 shop to preview their excellent new record Pivot. Like many of Chicago’s new crop of indie rock bands, they find inspiration in the fertile 90’s scene, but they add distinctly sophisticated songwriting that is emotionally direct and musically ambitious.
Broadcasting from our shop at The Salt Shed, FRET12 Sessions invites musicians of all genres and styles to come in, perform, and share their work with the world.
FRET12 SESSIONS
NEPTUNE'S CORE – LIVE PERFORMANCE
Neptune’s Core swung by the FRET12 shop to preview their excellent new record Pivot. Like many of Chicago’s new crop of indie rock bands, they find inspiration in the fertile 90’s scene, but they add distinctly sophisticated songwriting that is emotionally direct and musically ambitious.
Broadcasting from our shop at The Salt Shed, FRET12 Sessions invites musicians of all genres and styles to come in, perform, and share their work with the world.
F12-SESSION 025 // NEPTUNE'S CORE
Consisting of two pairs of sisters—Sofia Richter and Hannah Richter, and Jackie Cywinski and Kaitlin Cywinski—they’ve emerged as one of the city’s most compelling young bands, and a natural fit within Chicago’s long tradition of adventurous, guitar-centered rock.
Their punchy drums, forceful riffs, layered vocals, and a willingness to let songs build toward cathartic releases make them a live force to be reckoned with. They’ve played major Chicago venues like Metro and were part of Twin Peaks’ eight-night run of reunion shows at Thalia Hall.
With the release of their debut full length, Pivot, they’ve taken another step beyond their earlier singles and EPs while building on the emotional intensity, melodic instincts, and genre-crossing approach that have defined their sound.
We were thrilled to have them in for a session and be sure to stick around after the music for the gear talk and interview.
"It got pretty serious about five years ago when we realized we really just loved playing together and writing together."
- Kaitlin, Drums
"It got pretty serious about five years ago when we realized we really just loved playing together and writing together."- Kaitlin, Drums
"When Sophie brings a song, or even just a verse or a chorus, we all can just start going... we know each other so well." - Kaitlin, drums
"When Sophie brings a song, or even just a verse or a chorus, we all can just start going... we know each other so well." - Kaitlin, drums
"I think we can be really honest with each other... we know it's only pure love." - Kaitlin, drums
"I think we can be really honest with each other... we know it's only pure love." - Kaitlin, drums
HARD-WON TOUR TIPS
💥 “School also serves the purpose of being something to kind of come back to and a schedule to be on, which I know is very helpful for me.”
💥 “We brought DVDs on tour, we watched Star Wars.”
💥 “Develop some stable things you do every night that can take away that strange Groundhog’s Day thing from touring.”
💥 “Make yourself wake up early enough to feel like you're real. It's like it's better to not just wake up and immediately get in a car.”
💥 “Taking a walk, eating breakfast, maybe with a piece of lettuce or something, just [doing] little things. Self-care, it’s 2024.”
💥 “Try to fill your days with things that aren’t just driving and moving gear.”
“I grew up singing in front of six, 700 people a week. You know, every Sunday was a concert basically.”
— Brother Wallace
“I grew up singing in front of six, 700 people a week. You know, every Sunday was a concert basically.”— Brother Wallace
“This is my favorite pedal I've ever owned, the Reverberation Machine [by Death By Audio]. I started using it for guitar because I like this really cool, dusty kind of distorted reverb... there are a lot of songs in Ganser where I use distorted vocals. It’s just a sound I’ve always wanted for vocals and it’s much more fun to perform as well.”
— Sophie Sputnik
“This is my favorite pedal I've ever owned, the Reverberation Machine [by Death By Audio]. I started using it for guitar because I like this really cool, dusty kind of distorted reverb... there are a lot of songs in Ganser where I use distorted vocals. It’s just a sound I’ve always wanted for vocals and it’s much more fun to perform as well.”
— Sophie Sputnik
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FRET12 SESSIONS – Neptune's Core
Follow their journey ➔ Web // Instagram // Spotify // Apple Music // YouTube
All video and photos by FRET12.
Venue: FRET12 Shop, located in the main lobby of the Salt Shed - Chicago.
FRET12 SESSIONS – Finom
What happens when two gifted players and improvisers merge their talents equally? With Finom, Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham come together to create a genre defying sound.
