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Dear Banshee Explores Aging, Burnout, and Self-Reflection on New Single and Music Video “Skin Deep”
San Francisco Bay Area indie rock band Dear Banshee has released their latest single and accompanying music video, “Skin Deep,” a reflective exploration of aging, emotional exhaustion, and the pressures of everyday life.
Blending alternative rock with atmospheric electronic textures, the five-piece examines the uncomfortable realities of growing older while questioning how much of our lives we spend simply going through the motions.
Formed in 2016–2017, Dear Banshee has spent nearly a decade developing a sound that incorporates alternative rock, electronic experimentation, and ambient influences. Their latest release takes a particularly personal direction, confronting the insecurities that emerge as time passes and responsibilities begin to overshadow the things that once brought us joy.
“Skin Deep” explores the contradiction between accepting aging and quietly struggling with it. While physical changes provide an obvious starting point, the song digs deeper into the emotional weight of routine, self-perception, and the realization that life doesn't always unfold as expected.
The accompanying music video, directed by Edgar Lara, brings the band's journey full circle. Arriving ten years after their first video, “Wake,” the new visual once again follows James through San Francisco, creating an interesting connection between two different chapters of the band's history.
There's something refreshingly relatable about Dear Banshee's approach. Rather than presenting adulthood as a period of newfound certainty, “Skin Deep” acknowledges that growing older often introduces more questions than answers.
“Skin Deep” explores the uncomfortable reality of getting older and questioning where your life is headed. What personal experiences inspired the song, and was there a particular moment that made you want to confront these feelings through music?
We all wonder where our lives are heading, but I’ve always believed that heavy expectations usually just lead to disappointment. As independent artists, the threat of aging and burnout is incredibly real. Most of us are balancing a demanding day job on top of our creative work. The relentless repetition of the daily grind was the primary inspiration for this song. I work constantly to support my life, all while fronting an independent band. At the end of the day, I believe the only way to create a truly cohesive, powerful statement is to write directly from your own firsthand experiences. This track is exactly that—a reflection of the reality artists live every single day.
The song touches on how easily everyday responsibilities and routines can take over our lives. Do you think we're becoming too comfortable simply going through the motions, and how has that perspective influenced your approach to making music?
We often mistake the comfort of a routine for a fulfilled life. While working to support ourselves is an obvious necessity, it is dangerously easy to let the grind consume our entire identity. For me, music is the vital boundary that prevents that from happening. It is far more than a mere hobby; it is a serious, necessary release valve for the mental stress that accumulates from adult responsibilities. Music is where the pressure of everyday obligations fades, allowing me to reclaim a space that is entirely my own.
Your new music video revisits San Francisco ten years after your first video, “Wake,” with James once again moving through the city. What inspired you to create that connection, and what do you think has changed most about the band over the past decade?
When I first created the song and video for "Wake," I was 32 years old, making beats in my bedroom with whatever home studio gear I had at the time. My friends Michelle Nisbet and Marshall Wieczorek—who even joined the band for a brief period—filmed and edited the video for me. Flash forward a decade to "Skin Deep," and I am 42 now. Having a group of people working with me to really fill out lots of soundscapes- my producer Trevor Orriss, professional mastering engineer Jessica Thompson, and the elevated video production of Edgar Lara- has improved the quality of the music and visuals. It no longer feels like a project confined to a bedroom; it feels vastly bigger and deeply evolved. Presenting this new song in a similar format to "Wake" felt like the perfect callback—a meaningful way to honor where I started while showcasing the ultimate upgrade.
Dear Banshee blends alternative rock with electronic and ambient influences, creating a sound that doesn't fit neatly into one genre. How has your creative process evolved since forming the band, and what elements of your musical identity have remained consistent?
Our creative process evolves with every album. Depending on the current lineup, I find fresh inspiration in collaborating with musicians who truly appreciate my music and want to co-write. Skin Deep was particularly special; we layered violins, synthesizers, and ambient guitar tracks to build a lush sonic pad that perfectly complemented the driving, rhythmic pulse of the acoustic guitar, drums, and bass. My voice is the one consistent element that will always be present on every song.
There's an interesting tension in “Skin Deep” between accepting the passage of time and resisting the changes that come with it. After spending nearly a decade making music together, has your definition of success changed, and what keeps you motivated to continue creating?
There are days when I wake up and wonder if I can keep Dear Banshee going. Rehearsals can be exhausting, and performing the older material feels different now that I am older. What pulls me through those moments is working with people who genuinely care about my music; their passion is my fuel. Ultimately, success is what you make of it. We have released three full-length albums, put out countless singles, and toured from the Pacific Northwest down to Southern California. For me, success has already happened. The victory is in the journey itself—moving from making beats alone in my bedroom to playing massive stages across state lines with talented people. Who knows what will happen next.
