Embers learned music skills on the fly while running a business furnishing visuals for Steve Aoki, plus other DJs and touring artists. He declines to provide his given name, explaining, “I enjoy the privacy that comes with that separation.” He loves San Diego for feeling “like comfort,” but grew up north of Boston before his move to North Park five years ago. “I think when you stay in one place too long, you become comfortable. Discomfort always brings growth. I think everyone should try moving away from their hometown and experiencing a new place.”

Embers released the indie-emo EP To: The Moon in summer 2023, preceded by a single for "scratch my name." Embers says "I wrote this song while on the road and dealing with the ups and downs of trying to maintain a relationship. I wanted to capture the sound that reminds me of singing along to my favorite bands in the car, but with the lyrics of an emo revenge banger.”

The video for “scratch my name,” features an eye-popping pink Mercedes G-Wagon (a rental, no less) getting jacked, scratched, cruised all over creation, and danced on. Says Embers, “We may have left some footprints on the roof, but luckily, that was it. Chris [Torres] from Topanga Hills Mafia directed the video. He’s done a lot of work for Tyga, and Steve Aoki, and has been a good friend and collaborator of mine for many years.”

Embers plays instruments on his EP, but prefers to “stick to singing and screaming, so I can really concentrate on connecting with the audience. I think the aggression in my music stems through years of different traumatic experiences. I often go into the crowd at my shows and jump around with people. I can feel the aggression, but it’s never been malicious. I think people enjoy sharing the outlet with me, when they’ve been through similar situations.”

(Photo courtesy earshotmedia.com)