Words and photos by Kenzie Trikouros.
Headsick, a post-hardcore emo band, played at the Clownhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey last fall. I knew I had to talk to them with their new EP out a few months later.
Who is Headsick?
Made up of four musicians hailing from the East and West Coast, Headsick is Boston-based, with all members attending Berklee College of Music.
Kai sings and writes the lyrics for the band. Lukas plays bass, Ian plays the drums, and Eleanor sings and plays guitar. Kai also produces Headsick along with many other bands in local scenes from Boston to New Brunswick.
Describing their sounds as post-hardcore emo, Headsick is inspired by bands like Pierce the Veil and Static Dress.
They challenge the genre by blending emotive, melodic songwriting with complex, hard-hitting instrumentals and creating a sound that is both raw and forward-thinking, with classic elements of post-punk, emo, and hardcore.
Headsick has such a good ring to it, one word and two syllables. I asked how they got the name.
“Kai didn’t want to make a band until we had a good name,” Eleanor explained, “Ian had a bit of a throat issue… Kai was like, ‘Are you feeling like stomach sick or head sick?’ and that was genuinely the moment we found the band name.”
The Music
Their new EP Driving Through The Downward Spiral released in November 2024.
“New Moons” was the first single released from the EP, and it’s an absolutely insane song… and that’s what I told them too. I cannot get enough of the sheer intensity and honest lyrics of the song.
Kai said the song is about being homesick while still at home.
“Kind of like reminiscing on the past before you actually leave… but in the same vein, the place you go to is better, a solution,” Kai told me.
The demo name for the song was “Homesick.” “New Moons,” is a unique take on that concept.
“New Moons,” is a relentless explosion of frantic riffs, pounding bass, and breakneck drums from the first note.
“I’ve never had an interview where I could talk about lyrics before… do you guys even know the lyrics?” Kai asked the band.
Lukas responded, “It’s my favorite Headsick song so I know most of them [lyrics].”
Kai and Eleanor were in a high school band called Imbroglío together. Going to college, the band had to separate. But the two still wanted to make music.
Ian met Kai and Eleanor through a Berklee Instagram page. I found out, while Lukas was chugging pink lemonade, that he played a cover with Ian at an open mic night. And that’s how these four met.
Since the interview in September, Eleanor has stopped playing with Headsick to focus on her independent music, Eleanor on Earth.
William joined the band and has been playing guitar for Headsick over the past few months.
Headsick collaborated with Ringpop!, another Boston-based band, for a song on Driving Through The Downward Spiral. “Headsick 12” was the second single released from the EP.
The song is filled with crunchy, layered guitars and deep basslines drive the intensity forward. Headsick and Ringpop! are wrapping up a tour this February, having stops in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The Clownhouse Show- 9/13/24
The basement was packed, and the lineup was stacked. Public Access, Crown Euphoria, and Headsick were all tearing it up at the Clownhouse.
Public Access opened with an acoustic set outside followed by Crown Euphoria in the basement.
Headsick brought their signature intensity to the stage, delivering a performance that left the crowd buzzing.
Thank you again to Headsick for the interview!! Keep up with Headsick on Instagram and find their music on Spotify, or wherever you get your music.
