Dead Soft singer Nathaniel Epp has—alongside bassist Keeley Rochon and drummer Graeme McDonald—spent the past year spreading the grunge-pop gospel with electrifying shows. The band’s self-titled heart-throbbing hardcore debut, released last month, bids a perfect farewell to summer with crunchy guitars and life-affirming melodies.

Best local release other than yours: “Sprïng’s debut album, Celebrations. Certain elements of it remind me of some of my all-time favourite artists, but it sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard before. It’s heavy, soft, complicated. It sounds like they really spent their time with it, which I think is admirable and something I personally find difficult—especially in this age of instant gratification. Plus, they recorded it themselves in their own house. How cool is that?”

Best album ever: “This is an impossible question. But I’m going to go with Neil Young’s Harvest. I think this album has been playing in my ears since before I was even old enough to realize it. It feels like a part of who I am. When I hear these songs, I feel like myself. I remember who I am, who I’ve been, and who I want to be.”

Jonathan Simkin’s paying—Where’s dinner? “The place we most often eat together as a band would have to be Dairy Queen [4990 Victoria Drive]. We have enjoyed countless Blizzards there, as well as done band photos and interviews there in the past. Aside from DQ, we are super into any and all pho, which, luckily for us, is everywhere in Vancouver.”

In the spirit of Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty”, who do you want talking dirty to you? “Brock Allen from War Baby, hands down.”

You won Lotto Max. Where’s your club opening up? “It would be amazing if Grandview Lanes [2195 Commercial Drive] built a small riser or stage and began having shows. Bowling-alley venues are a thing of the past, but we think it is time to bring them back.”