Inner Wave

Last September 30th marked the 17th anniversary of the first rehearsal of what we now know as LA-based band Inner Wave. Its founding trio—composed of Pablo Sotelo, Elijah Trujillo (guitar), and Jean Pierre Narvaez (bass, vox)—set off as middle schoolers with a certain kind of gusto, and they’ve never forgotten it. Now in their 20s, Inner Wave is in its tightest formation yet. With the addition of drummer Luis Portillo and keyboardist Jose Cruz, its members feel more musically connected and confident than ever before.

Out in September 2021, the quintet's fourth LP Apoptosis is a trip into the band’s familiar realm of electronic, soul, and garage-rock. This time, however, the details are especially intricate; Apoptosis is experimental yet intentional. It is far-fetched in theory, but not out of reach in its final presentation. The LP name is derived from a biological term for the death of cells, Sotelo explains. Like their recent tribulation and renewal, the process of apoptosis is normal—part of an organism’s development.

This year, the band has already toured 19 cities across the U.S. as part of their headline Jukebox Tour and played to hundreds of adoring fans in China. In the summer, they supported Interpol in New Haven and Montréal. They’ve also teamed up with Jordana to release their single “Baby” on Valentine’s Day. As the year wraps up, fans can stay tuned for new music, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of their album III, and much more to come