Blending elements of post-rock, post-metal, and progressive music, Jettisunn crafts enticing soundscapes that are both crushingly heavy and delicately ethereal. Their latest EP, Everything/Everywhere, marks a significant step forward for the Michigan-based trio—both in terms of sonic depth and collaborative energy.
Guitarist Kev Niemela, the band’s primary songwriter, initially launched Jettisunn as a solo project during the pandemic, writing instinctively without a specific direction in mind. “Honestly, I’m not sure how we developed this sound,” he admits. “I was in another post-rock band about ten years ago, but it was a different dynamic with another guitarist. With Jettisunn, I just wrote whatever felt right in the moment.” A drummer first and guitarist second, Niemela credits his rhythmic instincts for the band’s heavier, groove-laden moments.
With Everything/Everywhere, Jettisunn evolved into a fully realized band effort. “For the first EP, I recorded drums and guitars myself,” Niemela explains. “But this time, it was a full band collaboration. When I sent the demo for ‘Monolith’ to the guys, our bassist responded, ‘Yesssss, lean into the post-metal.’ That was a turning point. I felt like, okay, maybe this is the sound we’re looking for.” The resulting EP embraces a weightier, more cinematic feel, though not at the expense of melody and uplifting passages.
As an instrumental band, Jettisunn relies on atmosphere, dynamics, and structure to tell stories without lyrics. “We try to set the tone within the first 15 seconds of a song,” Niemela says. “Whether it’s a soft, delicate intro or a heavy riff right out of the gate, we want listeners to know what they’re in for.” While post-rock and post-metal often follow the classic loud-soft-loud formula, Jettisunn aims to keep things engaging by weaving tension and release throughout their compositions.
Hailing from Houghton, Michigan—a town where cover bands playing AC/DC and Joan Jett dominate the local scene—the band’s environment has played a subtler role in shaping their sound. “The nature around us definitely inspires us,” Niemela reflects. “The last song on the EP was actually written with the long, cold winters in mind, and the promise of better weather on the horizon.“
As a three-piece, Jettisunn’s writing process is fluid and organic. “I usually bring in a riff or rough demo, and we sit down together to hash it out,” Niemela says. “It’s great having input from the other guys—it keeps things fresh and prevents me from just thinking, ‘Oh, this next part would be cool’ without a second opinion.“
Performing live presents a different challenge, but one Niemela has embraced. “I’ve had to really hone my looping skills to replicate our recordings,” he shares. The band’s love for sonic impact extends to their gear choices as well. “Anytime we show up to a venue with full Sunn stacks and see the venue owner’s face—that’s always a memorable moment.“
The EP leans fully into the post-metal realm, particularly on its first two tracks, though the closing song reaffirms Jettisunn’s grounding in traditional post-rock. “We wanted to show that we can go all-in on post-metal but still keep that balance,” Kev explains.
The writing process wasn’t without its challenges. “The first track, ‘Fighting the Long Defeat,’ was the hardest to write because, well, it wasn’t even a song at first,” Niemela laughs. “I had a handful of riffs, recorded them in the studio, and the guys had to come up with their parts on the spot. But it ended up being my favorite track on the EP.“
With Everything/Everywhere now out in the world, Jettisunn is gearing up for what’s next. “We’re touring the Midwest this summer and planning to release a new EP in the fall,” Niemela reveals. Given the band’s ever-evolving sound and dynamic approach to composition, their next chapter promises to be just as expansive and unpredictable as their music.
Everything/Everywhere is out now; check it out on Bandcamp. Follow Jettisunn on Instagram.
