Words and photos by Patti Doud.
In the heart of Wicker Park, Chicago, I met with the glittering quartet of youngsters that make up Neptune’s Core. The band consists of two sets of sisters tackling the ups and downs of their youth, united through music. The eldest sisters, Sofia Ritcher and Kaitlin Cywinski, took the lead in organizing our portrait session and striking up conversation. The younger sisters, Hannah Ritcher and Jackie Cywinski, were able to fill the space with laughter and smiles between photos.
I couldn’t help but to comment on their uncanny resemblance to a group of fairies while surrounded by the blue skies and rustling grasses and flowers, which they all smiled in response for a split second, before returning to their photo ready faces.
Our accompanying interview helped illuminate the heart of Neptune’s Core, next steps and anything else you may want to know – Check out the full interview, portraits, and our Neptune’s Core inspired playlist below!
Q: How did you guys become a band and when did you know you wanted to take this seriously? How did your approach to music change when you decided to “do it for real”?
A: [Sofie]: “Neptune’s Core started in middle school as a way to connect over writing songs and playing music. It wasn’t until we opened for Dehd at their NYE Empty Bottle gig, at the start of 2023, that we realized we wanted to go all in. Leading up to that show and every day since then, Neptune’s Core has become our priority. We’re constantly doing things to benefit the band, whether it’s managing daily emails, maintaining our social media, writing new songs, rehearsing for our next show, etc. It’s always top of mind. And even when the work becomes tedious, the outcome never fails to bring us joy. We love what we do.”
Q: I think your music is so lovely because it’s mature and contains depth, but meeting you all is such an enlightening experience because of your bright attitudes and youthful vibes. How does being in a band with your sisters change the dynamic, especially while you’re at different places in your personal development as young people?
A: [Sofie]: “Being in a band with our sisters is our super power. It connects us on such a deep level. We have a beautiful support system. We always know what’s on each other’s minds without needing to put thoughts into words. At this point, we’re not just two sets of sisters; we’re all sisters. The love we have for each other brightens each moment. It makes it so much easier to be vulnerable.”
[Hannah]: “Honestly, being in a band with my sister and best friends has made this whole process so much easier. The understanding we all have of each other is one of the most integral parts of our work relationship and what allows us to power through tough situations. Doing something this special with my sister has really brought us together and made the journey more enjoyable. I couldn’t imagine not being in the band with my sisters.”
Q: What influences your writing and music creation (i.e., are you typically drawing on your own experiences, is it a collaborative or do you come into the studio with ideas? etc).
A: [Sofie]: “Our songs always start with a powerful melody. And then it just feels like the rest of the song writes itself. I’ll wait for a melody to find me, then I’ll sit down and match it with a guitar part and build the bare bones of the song. Once the feel and form is there, I’ll take the song to the rest of the band, and they’ll work their magic. It’s crazy how in sync we are during the songwriting process. Kaitlin is able to read my mind and come up with a drum part that perfectly complements what I’ve written. Jackie matches that with a brilliant guitar part that intertwines with mine. And Hannah brings in this beautiful bass line that elevates Kaitlin’s part and ties the whole song together. Every song I bring to them has its vulnerability, some more than others. I write about heavy subjects in hopes of relieving me from an emotional burden. Introducing a new song to them ought to feel scary, but it doesn’t. I feel so comfortable around them.”
[Jackie]: “When writing songs, Sofie usually comes into practice with a captivating melody and a few guitar chords that make me instantly excited. Immediately, my mind circles with ideas of guitar riffs and vocal lines that will compliment the beautiful song she has started to create. Once we have a piece of music that has more structure, Hannah and Kaitlin come into the equation and write perfect rhythmic parts to support and elevate the song. Every song we write feels like the best one.”
[Kaitlin]: “Sofie somehow always has the perfect seed to a new song. When she brings us her melodies and lyrics, Jackie instantly jumps in with her take to balance out Sofies part both rhythmically and harmonically. Hannah and I craft our parts with a melody in mind. I like to think that every instrument should carry its own melody and sound like it’s singing on its own. All of us have vast music taste, deep music knowledge, and a love for experimenting that we weave into every song.”
Q: We’re an independent, all-women/queer zine, which is why we think it’s important to highlight these sometimes overlooked people in an industry. Do you think being in an all-women band, or a sapphic band, impacts the way you make music and present yourselves?
[Hannah]: “I think being in an all women band has definitely made us be more mindful about how we present ourselves. It’s so easy to not be taken seriously in this industry, especially as an all girl band, so we are very careful about what we post and how we come off. But, we also don’t let that define us. It’s been interesting to find that perfect mix of authenticity and professionalism. In general, being an all girl band is a large part of who we are, but it doesn’t define us.”
[Kaitlin]: “Being an all woman band influences us as a band but not necessarily our music. As a group, we’ve definitely experienced patronizing comments. Dealing with these comments can be difficult at times, but our passion for music keeps us going. Talking with other women, especially younger girls who have been inspired by us, makes being in Neptune’s Core so rewarding. It can especially be hard to find female bass and drum influences but we hope to inspire young creative women in the way that Moe Tucker and Gale Ann Dorisy have for us.”
[Jackie]: “Everything Kaitlin and Hannah said was perfect! I will just add that we’re lucky to be women in music. Such talented, female performers and songwriters have paved the way for us and we’re so grateful to be walking the same path.”
Q: What’s next for Neptune’s Core and what’s the best way to stay engaged with the band?
A: [Jackie]: “We always have new shows coming up around Chicago and the U.S. We’re playing August 1st at Schubas for a Lolla after show with Geese, which we are so excited for. And then in September we’re playing Pygmallion Music Fest in Urbana! We’ve been cooking up some new songs in the studio with Friko’s producer, Scott Tallarida. We post everything we’re up to on our Instagram, @neptunes.core!”
Photos and Interview by Patti Doud. Please credit @almostfamouszine and @piecesbypatti when reposting.
Check out Neptune’s Core on Spotify or your preferred streaming platform!