Scarves - Strays ForeverEver since Scarves’ inception in 2013, the Seattle-based indie band's lineup continues to evolve with Niko Stathakopoulos at its nucleus as the main storyteller. The revolution of band members follows Niko’s artistic journey in local music communities spanning from coast to coast. His thrilling adventures in the depths of punk venue basements, shopping at record stores, and hanging around house shows allowed Niko to befriend the many talented musicians who would someday contribute to the Scarves roster and discography. Following the release of their 2022 album, Delicate Creatures, the band had the pleasure of opening for artists such as PUP, Deerhoof, and the Dodos as well as performing at Bumbershoot Music Festival and the legendary radio station, KEXP. Their stories as independent artists paired with the struggles of real-world experiences inspired the band to write their 2026 album, Strays Forever. Alongside Stathakopolous during the creation of this album, Scarves consisted of Nessa Grasing (vocals/guitar), Jesse Cohen (bass), Jacob Whinihan (drums), and LA-native Elijah Sokolow (guitar and production). Strays Forever is about seeking optimism and hope against the intense fear and anxiety induced by our modern era. Niko explains, “I tried to make the music feel grand yet cozy, glitchy but homey. It's also a lot about forgiveness, and coping with family trauma with hopes to rebuild lives with the people you love. To continue pushing through the darker moments of life - no matter how thick the fog, I’ll be your lantern”. The band’s range of inspiration pulls from the short stories of Raymond Carver, the paintings of Amy Bennet, the poetry of Derrick C. Brown, and the sound of The Weakerthans, Hop Along, and the Mountain Goats. The album shines light on the struggles of many young people today who dream of starting a family, but fear bringing life into a world of uncertainty and desolation. Niko describes that “it’s about trying not to lose who you are as an individual as the pressures of love and adulthood mount, but also about trying to keep your loved ones safe”. As the album’s production developed, this idea stemmed into themes that center around the inevitable responsibility of guiding the next generation with love and compassion in an increasingly dividing society. “Chainsaw” for example is a love song that draws deep inspiration from the imagery of the classic horror movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Scarves teamed up with producer Chris Walla to record Strays Forever at the renowned Hall of Justice Studios in Seattle. Stathakopoulos recalled, “working with Walla was a dream come true. He's just the warmest and most imaginative producer. He’s like Willy Wonka with his wild suggestions that always work out”. During the recording process, the band was welcome to break creative boundaries in their song writing and instrumentation. They experimented with vintage tape machines to warble recorded tracks into luscious soundscapes and layered in string and flute arrangements to bring a cinematic touch to their music.
