Sykamore is a 3 piece from Columbus, OH. They’re high schoolers making music significantly better than most of us were in our 20s. Their first release, Demo ‘25, dropped 10/20 and caught my eye that same night. Holden and Kenny grew up together, and they jammed a few times as a two piece. They were on TikTok asking for screamo bassists, and Aiden found them offering to play guitar instead. Time passed, Aiden and Holden were at the same Bee Hive Ski Race, February, and IPromisedTheWorld show in Cleveland, and Aiden decided he would transition to bass. None of them were in bands prior to this, which further shows how good this initial demo is. I sat down with three members, Aiden, Holden, and Kenny to see what inspires them. 
Tell us about the writing process for this demo
Holden: I was alone in my room all the time, and I picked up my guitar and wrote. I got really into it and couldn’t find a vocalist, so I did vocals myself. I wanted to make it a full band and that was when Kenny and Aiden came in.
What’s everyone’s background with hc/punk/screamo?
Holden: I was into 2 by Mac DeMarco in 2020. Bladee, Echo2K, and Death Grips. I asked my older sister for a mixtape in 2022 and that turned me onto Cap’n Jazz, Slint, Bad Brains. My whole family is into music. We all love Animal Collective
Kenny: Super into drum n bass, Diesel Boy, and Widowdusk. Then found Algae Bloom and Judge My Heart.
Aiden: I Hate Sex and Algae Bloom. Black Sabbath is a big one. Catalyst in early 2023
Holden: Your Arms Are My Cocoon, and Everyone Asked About You too.
What’s next? You had a fantastic immediate response online
Holden: Hopefully an EP or split that is professionally recorded and mixed.
What were some of your inspirations for this demo?
Aiden: I would say lots of first wave screamo.
Holden: I wouldn’t say inspirations, but I think we sound like Breakwater and September. Like Aiden said, classic first wave, but not so much the aggressive and crazier side.
Anyone you’d like to shout out?
Aiden: Blunt Impact, Columbus’ scene, Flowersforpersephone, and Ourloveliesburied.
Holden: Derrick, Brave Little Abacus, and Zavier.
Kenny: Flowersforpersephone
Last word is yours
Holden: I feel like I’m going to wake up from a dream, this is so insane.
Aiden: Thank you. So excited to play with Flowersforpersephone
Kenny: Yeah, thanks so much.
Sykamore’s Instagram is where you can keep up with the band. The EP is on their Bandcamp too.
