Just a few hours ago, Baltimore hardcore outfit Jivebomb dropped “SERAPHIM (MARINA’S SONG),” the third single from the band’s debut full-length, ETHEREAL, which drops March 28th on Flatspot Records (their home since 2022’s Primitive Desires EP). However, according to Jivebomb vocalist Kat Madeira, we will get a chance to hear at least a handful of the LP’s seven remaining tracks next Tuesday, March 18th, when Jivebomb opens Underground Arts for post-hardcore legends Quicksand. Read what else Kat had to tell me about ETHEREAL and check out the official music video for “SERAPHIM (MARINA’S SONG),” filmed and edited by Eight Gregorio and Jeremy Burgos.
Izzy Cihak: I actually grew up in Ellicott City and spent a ton of time in Baltimore in the aughts, when I was in hs and college. I’m curious to hear some of your favorite things about the city, both relating to being a musician there and just daily life.
Kat Madeira: Music-wise, the scene is thriving and constantly growing. New bands of all styles, DIY shows pretty regularly, I feel there’s a good sense of community amongst the city and the music scene. Some of my favorite things outside of that in Baltimore are just the abundance of talent that I get to be surrounded by. Along with a bunch of talented musicians there’s filmmakers, designers, DJs, all within arm’s reach and I think it adds to the creativity aspect of being an artist. The city being so small comparatively allows these artists to connect in a way that feels more genuine and palpable, and I think that’s sick.
Izzy: Any predictions for the O’s this season?
Kat: Ooooo, I am not your guy for sports, I have no idea what’s going on with the Orioles, haha. At most I can keep up with a little UFC — sorry!
Izzy: You’re gearing up to release your first full-length, ETHEREAL, at the end of the month. How do you consider the LP to compare to Primitive Desires, whether in terms of sounds, influences, or even just the process of writing and recording it?
Kat: I think for me it sounds the way I’d want to present Jivebomb as a band, sonically. Especially vocally. I think I figured out my sound (vocals) shortly after Primitive Desires through lots of touring and I know how I want my voice to sound in the context of certain songs and I feel like this LP is an accurate representation of what we sound like live, which is awesome.
Izzy: I know that you worked on the album with Ben Greenberg from Uniform, who are totally great. How was it working with him? What do you feel like he brought to the sound or even just the sessions?
Kat: Working with Ben was such a pleasure. This was my debut, so to speak, of introducing samples/sound design I’ve created to Jivebomb songs, and he really helped bring that to the record. I also really appreciate constructive criticism that feels productive, the entire experience was really exciting and enjoyable for me
Izzy: Not to detract from your own music, but considering that this is your debut LP, I’m curious if you have any favorite debut LPs in your own musical library? I think New York Dolls, Belle & Sebastian’s Tigermilk, and Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols are my holy trinity of debut albums.
Kat: Oh, that’s a great list! I think Zero Boys – Vicious Circle is a strong one. I have that on CD in my car and can listen to it front to back a million times. The Mamas & the Papas – If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, another great one with no skips, and Erykah Badu – Baduizm is one I listen to frequently, although Mama’s Gun is also up there with being perfect front-to-back.
Izzy: You’ve been on Flatspot Records for a few years now, which is such a cool label. How is it working with them and being a part of that family?
Kat: I honestly can’t imagine being on any other label, so I have nothing to compare it to, but Flatspot forreal feels like a team — I feel like everyone involved, especially Ricky, really cares about the bands themselves and making shit happen, and I’m really grateful Jivebomb is a part of that.
Izzy: This is kind of a huge question, but considering that Jivebomb have been around for almost half a decade now, I’m curious what have been some of the personal highlights of the band so far?
Kat: I think everything we have going on to this day is still very shocking, seeing as this was never intended to be a band that left Baltimore, so being recognized in any capacity feels really cool. Getting to go to Europe for the first time was definitely a huge highlight that was never even on my radar of possibilities and I’m glad people care about what we’re making enough to give us the privilege to tour in that capacity.
Izzy: You’ve got a few upcoming dates supporting Quicksand, including a stop here at Underground Arts. How excited are you for those shows and getting to spend a little time on the road with Quicksand? Were you previously fans of theirs?
Kat: SUPER excited. I think everyone in the band has been a fan of them for a while, so when we got asked it was the easiest unanimous decision. I’m also a huge fan of Walter’s writing and will be bothering him about Gorilla Biscuits, surely.
Izzy: What can be expected of your live show on this run? I know you’ve played Philly, or Philthy, a handful of times, but I somehow always manage to miss you… I’ll definitely be at this one, though!
Kat: Tons of new songs and live samples being played! We’ve all been extremely eager to play new songs and as we approach the release of the LP we’ve been slowly adding a song or two off of it to the setlist. Playing samples live is also pretty new to Jivebomb and I’m super excited about that.
Izzy: I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but we call the neighborhood that the venue’s in Eraserhood, because it’s the neighborhood that inspired Eraserhead back when David Lynch lived here, so I’m curious to hear your thoughts on Eraserhead, or David Lynch in general. I know at least some of you are pretty into cinema.
Kat: David Lynch is the man. I’m pretty sure we almost had an Eraserhead sound sample on Primitive Desires at one point. I don’t remember why we scrapped that but that movie’s awesome. Harper and David are the movie guys of the band for sure, I owe a lot of the incredible older movies I’ve watched to them
Izzy: Finally, what are you most excited about in 2025, after the album drops? I know you have a handful of upcoming tour dates, with an April run and then a return to Outbreak in June (which has so many amazing bands this year).
Kat: I am soooo pumped to return to Europe/Outbreak, and honestly just having the record be out will be exciting enough — whatever follows that will just be icing on the cake. It’s been hard not to spoil anything about the record for as long as it’s been ready/recorded. I’m so antsy for it to finally be shared with the world because I’m really proud of it and hope it resonates with others the way the demo and EP did.
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