RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: 2000s & 2010s alternative, Kings of Leon, Oasis, Beach House, The Temper Trap, Radiohead, The Strokes, Cigarettes After Sex, Nirvana, The Kooks
Nights In Stereo are carving out their own lane with a sound that feels both refreshingly new, yet instantly familiar. The trio consisting of Ronen Rubinstein, Jonny Shoer, and Rodrigo Rodarte, was formed in 2020 in Los Angeles. Together, they intertwined decades of friendship, musical inspiration and creative drive to birth something beautiful. Their music is a radiant fusion of shoegaze’s swirling dreamscapes, indie’s inventive charm, grunge’s gritty edge, and alternative rock’s timeless legacy. What makes them truly stand out is their ability to allow each influence its own space. Textures of shoegaze shimmer without overshadowing the rawness of grunge, while indie’s delicate nuances rise and fall against alternative rock’s bold backbone. The result is a sound that flows seamlessly — vibrant yet balanced, never losing the identity of the subgenres it draws from.
(Photo: Nikki Phillips)
The band’s wide-reaching influences speak volumes about their artistry. With inspiration spanning Kings of Leon’s arena-ready power, Nirvana’s unapologetic fire, Cigarettes After Sex’s intimate atmosphere, Radiohead’s layered ingenuity, Stone Temple Pilots’ soaring hooks, Glassjaw’s punch, No Doubt’s dynamic flair, and even the emotive power of Celine Dion, Nights In Stereo transform their diverse musical DNA into something uniquely their own. Rather than leaning into imitation, they blend these touchstones with intricate detail, shaping songs that feel bold yet welcoming.
It’s that delicate balance that makes Nights In Stereo’s music so instantly likeable. From the very first listen, their songs pull you in — wrapping you in melodies that feel as pleasant as an old friend while still surprising you with their depth and energy. Each track feels alive — layered, dynamic, and resonant — built on a foundation of influences that span decades and genres yet speak directly to the present.
(Photo: Nikki Phillips)
Nights In Stereo catch attention not only for their music, but for the way they manage to balance their busy lives with dedication to the band. Each member juggles other careers and commitments — Ronen stars on the hit TV series 911: Lone Star, while Jonny and Rodrigo also work in creative fields — yet they find the time to come together with an ideal friendship that fuels their creativity rather than hinders it. That sense of unity translates into a sound that oozes priority to detail and genuine talent. Their commitment to evolve Nights In Stereo from a spare bedroom all the way to the studio and finish their record over a handful of years proves their passion runs deep — this project is crafted with both heart and precision.
We officially started putting the EP together in 2022 after forming and solidifying our music together. But, some of the songs originate from as early as 2006. Jon and Rod have written music together for a long time and their collective interests spanning from progressive rock to hardcore to Ronen’s more lyric-driven influences. Our good friend Mike Riley at Noise Nest Studios heard some early demos and unbelievably agreed to record and produce our first two singles and then again for Second Nature. Once we overcame the scheduling challenges of four dudes in our thirties with careers and families, the actual studio time just flew by. It was long, sweaty, hilarious hours of hard work and fun. — Nights In Stereo
Their debut of Second Nature captures this special, cinematic spirit in full while comforting listeners with a sense of familiarity. The EP flows with a striking cohesiveness across all five tracks, each song carrying its own aura while remaining tied together by the band’s signature blend of sounds. Subtle shifts in mood, tempo and tone highlight the many layers of inspiration at play and is woven seamlessly into a unified listening experience that feels both dynamic and complete. Ronen infuses the aesthetic of Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill into his singing style along with some gnarly Kings of Leon-charged bass lines. Lyrically, he draws a lot of influence from Chet Baker as well as Greg Gonzales of Cigarettes After Sex.
Rodrigo’s flair of artists like Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley offer a sliver of retro rock, but what perhaps weighs the heaviest into the mix is his adoration for Radiohead. Jonny attributes a similar roster of inspiration, with additional draws from artists like Celine Dion, Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, Sublime as well as hardcore musicians like Glassjaw and Every Time I Die in more recent years. Collectively, Second Nature is woven with so many these influential threads that still somehow all individually shine.
The EP opens with “New Love, NY” which personally reminds us of a modernized, edgier version of R.E.M. in the first verse. The chorus quickly jumps into a Kings Of Leon feel anchored with clean, complimentary guitar riffs. The second track is “Dream” — which seems to be one of the more slept-on songs, but gaining traction up against to “New Love, NY.” Ronen’s vocals here prove he could fill in for Caleb Followill on a sick day — not to mention a dreamy bassline driven-bridge that would make anyone want to jam out. Track three is “The One” — an addition that begins a bit somber and mellow, only to flourish into a strong chorus, marking this selection as the perfect middle-point of the record. If you’re a sucker for acoustic guitar, you’ll fall in love with “Erikas Song” — a delicate, emotional track with soaring vocals. Closing out Second Nature is “First Time,” which begins with a melodic guitar riff then grows into that signature, textured shoegaze sound we all know and love.
Other mentionable highlights of previous releases include “Open Door” and “Underwater” — both from 2022. “Open Door,” is easily the fan favorite over time — and we have to agree: that infectious intro hooks us from the moment we hit play. It is also a bit reminiscent of “Freaks” by Surf Curse, which went viral last year for its retro sound and catchy sequential guitar notes throughout. “Underwater” instantly surprises us with piano and a more upbeat chorus, spotlighted by stand-out guitar and piano pieces. Lyrically, the emotions enhance each instrumental tidbit, making this song a well-polished track.
Second Nature feels like a true arrival moment for Nights In Stereo — one that cements their creative abilities and ear-catching talent. Each song leaves listeners eager for more, hinting at a journey that’s only just beginning. So, what can the world expect in the coming months for Nights In Stereo? As fans ourselves, we asked the same!
We are entirely focused on rehearsing a very special live arrangement of all our music for some soon-to-be announced intimate shows. We are so excited to see everyone at those shows and will also be releasing some very cool live-recorded video content as soon as we’re happy with it. We have a lot of new material marinating for whatever the next release may be, but right now we’re just stoked to get in front of our fans as soon as humanly possible. — Nights In Stereo
With their genre-defying vision and magnetic sound, Nights In Stereo are quickly establishing themselves as a band to watch — crafting music that doesn’t just play in the background, but serves front-and-center as a part of your soundtrack to life.