Treasure Pains take their next creative leap with their new split record with Spares, showcasing a balance of aggression and melody. The group builds on singer and guitarist Jessi Knop to begin songs with a barrage of vocal intensity, only for Treasure Pains to shift into strong, melodic interludes that seamlessly add new dynamics, without sacrificing cohesion or power. It’s a sonic tone often dubbed post-hardcore, a moniker Knop won’t dismiss, yet is hesitant to embrace.
“I understand people search for ways to describe things, but if they can’t quickly say what we are, that’s a testament to our songwriting. We’re creating a bit differently but doing what comes naturally,” said Knop.
Knop has found her footing in Durham, citing the city’s supportive music community and its overall sense of embracing individuals. Not far from the once robust indie music underground of Chapel Hill, Knop affirms that Durham continues growing its local music community, enabling a strong foundation for Treasure Pains. Beginning Treasure Pains in 2023, Knop believes that despite her contrasting guitar style with her bandmate, Zach Large, songwriting for Treasure Pains has been rather seamless.
“On tour, I heard people say we sounded like Hot Snakes had a baby with The Distillers. I can see some vocal similarities, but I like that people have yet to just come out and say we sound exactly like some other band. I get people need to compare things, but it’s a compliment if people can’t really pin us down,” laughed Knop.
Treasure Pains have quickly built upon their 2024 debut EP, Charming, by continuing to seamlessly balance their aggression with powerful melodies, and, coupled with Durham’s supportive music community, Treasure Pains has a strong foundation in place to continue creatively evolving.
“Durham is very communal. You grow up and hear how the South is supposedly very segregated, but luckily, this is not my experience. You see a lot of people just attend all the shows. I’ll see people into hip hop come out to a rock show, and that means a lot, people willing to try and embrace something different. It’s been great to see the support people keep showing us,” said Knop.
Treasure Pains recently completed a run of dates, concluding in Chicago, which may be the most receptive city to embrace their post-hardcore brand of aggression and melody, attributed to its enduring DIY community driven by Touch and Go Records.
“I feel we were well-received, better than I anticipated. I feel my lyrics are getting stronger, maybe political at times. For me, lyrics don’t have a singular meaning, and I’m happy if people take them and create their own meanings. On this new record, Left to Give is more direct. It’s about the anger and exhaustion felt watching society move rapidly backwards, while so many others don’t even seem to notice or care,” shared Knop.
Knop has moved several times throughout the U.S. before settling in Durham, offering her a broader exposure to the positives and struggles within communities, as well as greater insight into local music scenes. Asked what she would like to see differently within local, independent music communities, Knop noted she did not experience many women onstage during the recent tour.
“Just finishing this tour, I was happy to see a lot of people come out and support, but I did notice there is still a lack of women playing onstage. It’s not a big issue for me, just something I noticed, and moving forward, something I’d be happy to see is more women playing.”
Spares X Treasure Pains hits the mark for avid post-hardcore fans, providing a careful balance of intensity, vocal aggression, and strong melodies.
https://council-records.bandcamp.com/album/split
https://treasurepainsband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/treasurepainsusa/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm1I7mP5XSY
