At 8 p.m. on a Thursday evening, a representative from the venue enters After’s green room to inform the band that their set will be delayed by about 15 minutes. The line continues to curve around the block outside the Bushwick roller rink Xanadu, where Justine Dorsey and Graham Epstein are set to perform soon. Inside, the atmosphere resembles that of an ‘80s blockbuster. The room is infused with psychedelic charm, filled with illusionary light displays, vividly colored walls, and a blur of skaters. Meanwhile, Natalie Imbruglia’s 1997 hit “Torn” plays over the loudspeakers—a fitting choice that will soon become clear.
“I often discuss how the ‘80s has dominated pop music for the past decade,” Dorsey explains. “But why shouldn’t other eras influence contemporary pop music? I believe pop was at its best in the 2000s.”
In recent years, these two LA-based musicians have crafted a captivating mix of lush pop-rock, steeped in Y2K nostalgia and reminiscent of artists such as Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, and Ashlee Simpson. Their aim is to honor—if not revive—the essence of pop music: infectious hooks paired with equally compelling lyrics. Since the band’s inception, their goal has been to "create nostalgia for a time that didn’t exist or for a memory you never had,” Epstein shares. “Many of our songs explore themes of longing, or desiring something out of reach, or an everlasting love,” adds Dorsey. “Time is a crucial element in our writing.”
This nostalgic dreamscape translates seamlessly into a vibrant visual style, drawing inspiration from video games, animated films, and unique brand aesthetics. The duo reveals that Track 4, “Baroque,” from their newly released EP, ‘After 2’, is named after a game of the same title, with the album artwork paying tribute to a vintage holiday line from Bath and Body Works, evoking memories of window shopping with one’s mother at the local mall, a Diet Coke in hand.
Dorsey and Epstein initially connected on Hinge, sharing the same birthday and birth year, and quickly discovered that their creative talents were harmoniously aligned. Epstein brought several years of experience in crafting miniatures and creating props and sets for film and television. He describes himself as a “music snob” with a vast bank of sonic references relevant to every topic discussed during our conversation. “I enjoy contrasting aesthetics. For example, the album cover for our first song, ‘Something Special,’ has a sort of black metal vibe,” he explains. “I categorize visuals this way and pour everything I’m drawn to into the band.”
In contrast, Dorsey identifies as a “huge pop-head” and insists she is “not at all” a music snob and “never has been.” “It really touches me,” Dorsey confesses. “I feel connected to my true self through the songs we write. Sometimes, I feel like my higher self is singing back to me.” A native of Southern California, Dorsey learned to sing during long drives along expansive freeways, considering Hilary Duff’s *Metamorphosis* a significant musical influence. “Sometimes, it feels like I’m conversing with my younger self,” she elaborates. “That sentiment influences much of my lyricism.”
Above all, After prioritizes multidimensionality and values collaboration with a variety of producers rather than sticking solely to pop-centric collaborators. They created ‘After 2’ alongside Photographic Memory, who specializes in hardcore and shoegaze production. Each track on the EP radiates the sugary optimism that is a hallmark of modern pop music but is enhanced by a unique edge that lends the band a sense of timelessness. This sequel, following their self-titled EP, exemplifies their commitment to consistency and growth.
Though their sound is impossibly catchy and utopian, After is acutely aware of the harmful norms and expectations within today's music industry. We discuss what it means to be a working artist in the present day, and they candidly note how they have benefited from contemporary success measures like online virality and trend awareness. Their sparkling, camcorder-style music videos continuously gain traction on TikTok and Instagram, yet they stress the importance of maintaining a sense of democratization in music during a time so closely tied to social media.
“The industry itself is often uninspiring, and artists should definitely receive better compensation, but this is an era of limitless possibilities,” Dorsey states. “Anyone can be discovered amidst the chaos of music today. It’s boundless and incredibly exciting.” Epstein adds that it's fulfilling to see younger fans, many of whom didn’t share the same musical influences, discover fresh nostalgic sounds through their music.
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At 8 p.m. on a Thursday evening, a representative from the venue enters After’s green room to inform the band that their set time is being delayed by approximately 15 minutes.