Nestled within the thriving underground music scene of Chicago, Illinois, Sin. emerges as a supersonic psychedelic garage rock project, delivering a unique blend of glamorous sparkly chords, fuzzy guitar tones, and chilling vocals. Led by frontman Ethan Oliver on vocals and guitar, supported by Brian Chindblom on lead guitar, Joe McTague on bass, and Caleb Nelson on drums, this four-piece powerhouse crafts a beautiful amalgamation of psychedelic rock fusion, embodying a “Do It Yourself” ethos.
Conceptually, Sin. delves beyond the surface of rock and roll. Ethan Oliver, shaped by an Evangelical Christian upbringing, wrestled with the condemnation of human desires and emotions labeled as “sin.” To reclaim the term positively, Ethan named the project Sin., aspiring to embrace the human experience and reject spiritual transcendence. Sin. encourages pride in animalistic instincts and darker aspects of the psyche, inviting listeners to explore desire, lust, gluttony, and wrath.
Ethan Oliver, the driving force behind Sin., embodies a “Do It Yourself” mentality that stems from his homeschooling experience. From piano and guitar lessons to drum chops from his father and self-taught skills through YouTube, Ethan’s diverse musical foundation laid the groundwork for his journey. Today, he manages every aspect of the project, from writing and performing to recording, composing, arranging, mixing, mastering, and promoting all of Sin.’s music.
During the early days of the pandemic, Ethan seized the opportunity to delve into music production, mastering Ableton, refining recording techniques, and honing his overall compositional skills. Setting up a makeshift home studio in Uptown with his roommates, Ethan recorded the 12-song LP “Baited,” released in April 2021. By summer 2022, Sin. evolved into a live band, featuring Caleb on drums, Brian on lead guitar, and Joe on bass, bringing Ethan’s second record, “Fever,” to life.
While Ethan primarily spearheads the recordings, the live band experience elevates Sin.’s performances to new heights. Brian’s alternate chords and face-melting guitar solos, Caleb’s dynamic drumming, and Joe’s groovy bass lines seamlessly merge with Ethan’s rhythm guitar, vocals, and leadership, creating an electrifying live experience. The band, united by their chemistry, navigates the underground DIY music scene of Chicago and the Midwest with welcoming yet sometimes trifling terrain.
Sin.’s musical influences span across decades, from 60s garage rock bands like the Sonics to contemporary groups such as Osees. Notable mentions include Ty Segall, Iggy Pop, and the Stooges (with a regular cover of “I Wanna Be Your Dog”), Black Sabbath, LCD Soundsystem, and a myriad of others that contribute to the band’s eclectic sound.
As Sin. continues to carve its niche in the music landscape, the band envisions future records driven by full collaboration, fostering the chemistry that defines their live performances. With a spirit rooted in DIY ethos and a sound that resonates with diverse influences, Sin. invites audiences to explore the depths of their psychedelic garage rock experience.
Connect with Sin. on Instagram and listen to their music on Spotify.