Santa Cruz emo veterans TIME SPENT DRIVING are back with “Brackney,” a reflective new single arriving October 24, 2025 via Sell The Heart Records. The track appears on the upcoming split vinyl “A 7 Step Guide To Happiness,” featuring Her Head’s On Fire, Hotlung, Shotclock, Bear Away, Hauntu, and Neckscars.
Singer and guitarist Jon Cattivera describes the song as both a farewell and a nod to the past: “Much of our early material was relationship-heavy, with many of the songs written about the same person. The concept for this song was to write one final song as an end cap, and in doing so, reference the bulk of those lyrics in one way or another—something die-hard fans might appreciate.”
He adds that “Brackney” was the last song written and recorded for their forthcoming album but ultimately didn’t fit the overall mood. “We felt like it didn’t quite fit overall, so we’re excited to get it out there on Sell the Heart Records and share a split with a bunch of other cool bands while we’re at it.”
The band’s connection to personal storytelling runs deep. Formed in 1999 in Santa Cruz, TIME SPENT DRIVING helped shape what many consider the core years of real emo. Their 2000 debut “Walls Between Us” and 2002’s full-length “Just Enough Bright” (produced by J. Robbins) established their sound—melodic, introspective, and emotionally grounded. After splitting in 2003, they resurfaced briefly in 2005 for “I’m Your Stab in the Back,” before returning in full force with 2015’s “Passed and Presence.”
Their 2023 record “Estrangers” marked a creative high point, a darker and more honest exploration of human struggles. The band followed with “Excuse the Irony” in late 2024, a biting, socially conscious single that signaled a new phase leading to their next full-length, “A 7 Step Guide To Happiness.”
TIME SPENT DRIVING’s current lineup includes Cattivera on vocals and guitar, Derek Pabich on guitar, Steve Borella on bass, and Kem Gallione on drums. “Brackney” offers a bridge between the band’s early days and the present—an intentional closing statement before the next evolution begins.
The split “A 7 Step Guide To Happiness” will be available digitally on October 24, 2025 and as a limited single-sided 12” vinyl with a custom etching on the B-side through Sell The Heart Records.
