Introducing In Color

In Color are breathing life back into the 2000s rock sound you didn’t know you were missing.

If you’re anything like me, you understand just how exhilarating it is to come across an artist you firmly believe will be the next big thing. You know only a matter of moments remain until they blow up beyond comprehension, and you have no choice but to cherish the fleeting pocket of time before they aren’t your little secret anymore.

That’s how I feel about In Color.

Consisting of Matt Hastings, Val Hoyt, Holden Clontz, and Miles Laderman, In Color is a Nashville-based indie rock band who first hit the scene in November 2024. The members had been involved in separate projects previously, but are now dedicated to finding their sound together as a unit.

From left to right: Val Hoyt, Miles Laderman, Holden Clontz, Matt Hastings. Photo by Slater Goodson.

Contrary to their name, In Color’s music embraces a dark, grungy sound — the sonic personification of late night drives, the grit of cassette tapes, and grainy black and white photographs. The band cites Radiohead, Wilco, and The Smashing Pumpkins as a few of their musical influences with a goal of emulating “that 90s/early 2000s alt-rock nostalgic sound” (source: Galaxy Mag).

February 14, 2025 marked the band’s official debut with their single, “Headlights,” a moody track with a steady rhythm that makes you feel like you’re gliding down an empty highway. This is notably the band’s most beloved track to date, even hitting a million streams on Spotify and securing the fourth spot in the platform’s Viral 50 playlist by early June — a wildly impressive feat for an independent band in its fourth month.

“Liar,” my personal favorite track of theirs, opens with tranquil, layered acoustic strumming before launching into a lively blend of thrashing drums and electric guitar. The song’s steady rise and fall from verse to chorus climaxes in a bridge with contagious energy and lyrics that beg to be sung at the top of your lungs. The drawn out vocals lead seamlessly into a head-banging instrumental sequence that carries you back to the simple acoustics that kicked off the track, tying up the song neatly.

In Color’s third single, “Cadaver,” is driven by a grungy bass line and stuttering vocals reminiscent of the nostalgic alt-rock sound they intend to revitalize. Each vocal line in the verses is interrupted by a thick blend of instrumentals that eventually expand in the chorus, uniquely structuring the track’s melody and giving the entire song a gravelly texture.

The band has continued to release music at their own pace, with “Is There Anyone?” and “Holiday Rd” both being shared in May. “Is There Anyone?” is without a doubt the band’s most personal track. Its lyrics reflect on how it feels to walk the delicate line between craving connection and feeling doubt about being accepted by others, assuring listeners who may feel similarly that the feeling is “in everyone.”

“Holiday Rd” sonically and lyrically depicts an emotional release — a sense of restlessness and an aching desire to return to a version of yourself you may not know anymore. It feels like the spark you’ve been missing is knocking at your door and you’re ready to chase it at full speed. The track is brighter, with lyrics that vocalize simply wanting “to live … to breathe … to be something.”

In addition to their consistent string of single releases, In Color have unveiled two music videos on YouTube: one for “Liar,” which dons the simple visual flair of a video pulled straight from the MySpace page of your favorite 2000s garage band, and one for “Is There Anyone?,” which takes on a more metaphorical approach to illustrate the song’s meaning. The latter is primarily composed of shots of Hastings singing to the camera directly while the other members play cards at a table without him, visually representing the theme of loneliness. Both track videos paint a clear picture of the band’s visual identity.

I was fortunate enough to be at the band’s (sold out) debut live performance at The End in Nashville this past July. With the way they commanded the room, you’d think they were an established rock band who’s been playing shows for years. The energy was electric; each member frequently looked around in awe at the pool of fans yelling along to lyrics they’d released only months, and even weeks, prior. It was so touching to watch them grasp for the first time how wholly their music has been embraced; I left buzzing, certain I’d just witnessed something special.

Since then, the four-piece have continued to fan the flame by releasing a sixth single, a love song titled “Time.” Softer vocals accompany their familiar rock sound, mourning that “I’d fall in love with you forever, but we don’t have enough time.” This track in particular nails down the fact that In Color aren’t a one-trick pony — the band has proven their depth, sharing vulnerable perspectives and exploring different sonic influences with ease as they build their own path.

Believe me when I say you’re going to want to keep an eye on In Color. With new music and a tour on the horizon and “Headlights” rapidly approaching 5 million streams, In Color are on the rise and actively reaching new heights.

Connect with the band on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, and Apple Music.