Rising, transcontinental duo Still Blank — Kaua’i, HI-based Jordy and Manchester, UK — have quickly established themselves as one of more enigmatic and exciting voices in contemporary alternative music. Drawing from shoegaze, grunge and folk, they’ve developed and honed a sound that’s difficult to pigeonhole, often minimalist and emotionally rich.
Their unique sound comes from rather unlikely roots: Jordy grew up immersed in the natural rhythm of island life in Hawaii, gigging at weddings and fundraisers by the time she was in her early teens, while drawing inspiration from Hawaiian traditions and the solitude of Kaua’i. Ben, who was raised on Manchester’s rich and deep musical legacy, played some of his earliest gigs in pubs with his dad’s band. He developed a love of ambient textures, citing The Durutti Column and Vini Reilly as formative influences. The duo’s unlikely meeting in the UK sparked a lightning-in-a-bottle creative partnership that started as casual jam sessions in a Liverpool basement and quickly evolved to sessions ranging from stripped-back recordings on a broken, classical guitar to long studio sessions fueled by long walks through rural Wales and a shared commitment to imperfect perfection.
As a collaborative unit, their work draws from introspection and their surroundings, echoing the mood and vibe of acts like Yo La Tengo, Big Thief and Cat Power paired with lyrics informed by people-watching, dreams, nature and existential observation.
The duo’s sophomore single “Ain’t Quite Right,” comes on the heels of their critically applauded debut single “What About Jane,” which received praise from Under The Radar, Clash, Dork, DIY and a lengthy list of others. “Ain’t Quite Right” sees the pair swapping roles in the creative process while crafting a breakneck post punk tune that’s sultry and vulnerable yet simultaneously confrontational and accusatory in a way that subtly channels PJ Harvey.
“We wrote the song around Christmas in rainy Manchester while listening to a lot of Sonic Youth and PJ Harvey,” the transcontinental duo explain. “Usually, Ben leads the music and I work on lyrics and melody, but this one flipped. We wanted it to feel on edge—building tension. The lyrics explore a dysfunctional relationship where both sides are suffocating, and neither can let go. The guitar almost talks back to the vocal, responding with this jarring energy that adds to the unease.”
