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Emotive post grunge act CROSSING I’S DOTTING T’S shares new dark single “You, In Everything”

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Crossing i’s Dotting t’s is gearing up for a new chapter, with their first single from an upcoming EP releasing this spring via Cleopatra Records. The track marks an expansion of their sound, pushing into heavier, more dynamic territory while keeping the heart of their songwriting intact.

Frontman Matt Mucerino shares, “This song is about missing someone who’s passed away and seeing them in everything you do and everyday things. It was inspired by my cousin passing, which influences a lot of my writing.”

The band’s journey has been one of evolution. What began as Matt’s solo project has grown into a full-fledged unit with Max Dickenson on bass, Nye Fong on lead guitar, and Josh Valencia on drums.

“We each bring something different,” Matt explains. “Nye comes from a classic rock background, Josh and Max from hardcore, and I bring more of an alt-rock, ’90s thing to the table.” Together, they channel influences ranging from Bush, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Basement to The Smashing Pumpkins and Superheaven, blending it into a sound that doesn’t easily fit into one box.

That refusal to conform has made finding their place in the Southern California scene both challenging and rewarding. “The LA scene is large but small at the same time,” Matt says. “There’s demand for punk/pop punk and a bit of a shoegaze resurgence, but it’s tough for alternative rock bands who don’t fit into one mold.” They navigate this by playing mixed-genre shows, connecting with diverse audiences and bands like Cheridomingo, Tarnish, and Broken Baby. “We try to bridge that gap,” Matt adds, emphasizing their effort to carve out a unique space.

Geographically, the band is spread out across Southern California, with members in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange County. While they consider themselves LA-based due to the city’s importance in their gigging circuit, their roots stretch far beyond it. Max, who not only plays bass but also records and mixes for the band, speaks highly of the Ventura music scene.

“It’s a great community I’m honored to be a part of. I know some of my best friends because of it,” he says. “Being in a position to record bands and be part of their creative process is incredible. Bands like VTB, eyecandy, and Boy Girl—I love them like family.”

CROSSING I'S DOTTING T'S

On playing bass for Crossing i’s, Max sees it as more than a supporting role. “I try not to treat it like a guitar like some bands do. I want it to have its own voice, its own complement to the music, even if it means changing the guitar parts.” He describes the recording process as deeply collaborative. “It’s always a great time recording with friends like this. We’re all on the same page, no wild expectations. That mindset always gets the best results.”

The art for the single is another deeply personal element, created by Kristian Talley, a long-time collaborator of Max’s. “Kristian’s been doing art for my music for years. It means a lot to have him be part of this band, too,” Max shares.

Crossing I's Dotting T's

Lyrically, the single reflects the themes of loss and memory that run through much of Matt’s work:

I was taught how to swim
I wasn’t taught to drown
I’d like to feel the same when you are not around.

The rawness continues in lines like, “I can’t see beyond the shadows as the gallows swing. I tried my best, but I still see you in everything.” It’s a song that captures grief’s weight and its persistent echoes in everyday life, blending that emotional core with the band’s heavier, more textured sound.

Crossing i’s Dotting t’s is a band shaped by its history, its members’ varied influences, and the realities of being an alternative rock band in a scene that doesn’t always make room for them.

 

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Karol Kamiński

DIY rock music enthusiast and web-zine publisher from Warsaw, Poland. Supporting DIY ethics, local artists and promoting hardcore punk, rock, post rock and alternative music of all kinds via IDIOTEQ online channels.
Contact via [email protected]

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