A Q&A with Take It Or Leave It
New York Punk with a Pasta Rock twist…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
is our debut EP, and it means a lot because it represents the first step. It’s the first time we got to fully shape and share our sound. We love creating, so finally putting something out into the world felt like crossing an important line.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
At the start, we were moving too fast. We had momentum, but we weren’t focused. The hardest part was slowing down, paying attention to the small stuff, and giving every part a reason to exist. We wanted everyone’s contributions to feel intentional and honest, not just “good enough.”
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do enjoy most about producing your own material?
We tracked everything at home with Zach leading the charge during recording. Once it was dialled in, we sent it to Anthony at Small Room Studio, who helped shape it into the final product. He’s a great engineer and collaborator. We give him a foundation, and he brings a fresh ear to help blend the chaos. That mix of home recording grit and polished engineering brought the whole thing together.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
We want to hit that nostalgic nerve but still sound current. Whether it’s a cover or an original, we’re not just trying to recreate a moment, we want to reframe it. The goal is to blur the lines between what’s old and new. It should feel familiar but not recycled, and catchy enough to stick with you.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
Usually someone brings a spark, a riff, a rough melody, a voice note of an idea. From there, we try to get a rough structure in place and feel it out as a band. Once there’s a foundation, we work it through until we’ve built a full song. We like playing new songs live before they’re recorded to see how they land. Our upcoming single ‘Therapy’ has already evolved because of the crowd reaction. That feedback shapes our sound more than people probably realise.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Our biggest punk influences are The Ramones, Blink-182, Rancid, The Offspring, The Clash, Four Year Strong and Descendents. They remind us to keep the energy up while still saying something real. Outside of punk, artists like Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Polyphia help shape the way we think about sound, structure, and creativity. We also like to keep a finger on the pop pulse and stay open to anything that hits.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Europe and Japan are the dreams. But more immediately, Canada is high on our list. Toronto and Montreal have great scenes, and it’d be fun to hit a few cities over a weekend. If the timing works, pairing it with a run through New England or Western NY would be ideal.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
‘Run’. It’s the first track on and covers all the ground we want to hit. It’s fast, fun, heavy in the right spots, and it sticks with you. Big chorus, strong finish. That’s the one to start with.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
Right now, the focus is writing and touring. We’re trying to line up more shows in new places and expand our reach without losing what makes this band feel close and connected. If we can keep writing music that means something and play it for people who care, that’s success to us.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
This was a Pasta Rock moment. Thanks for being part of it.
Find out more about Take It Or Leave It at linktr.ee/music.takeitorleaveit
