By: Christian Gleser
This past weekend, Pruett lit up the MoPOP Sound Off! stage in their first showcase of the year! With heartfelt lyrics and infectious melodies, the band drew an electric crowd of all ages to the Sky Church at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle where they played alongside bands; Capala, Oscar Warnersmith, and I///u. Riding the high of their recently released EP, Passions, Pruett has been hitting the stage more often, forging deeper connections with their growing fanbase through their music.
Based in Sammamish, Washington, Pruett is made up of five talented musicians: Axel Garcia (saxophone, background vocals), Myles Pamphilon (drums), Issac St. Aubin (lead guitar, vocals), Grayson Chapman (bass guitar), and Noah Yo (main vocals, rhythm guitar). This past January, they dropped their debut indie rock EP, Passions, a four-track project featuring Lights Off, Scattered Minds, Once, and A Way Out. Our personal favorite? Lights Off—its raw, punchy chords and deeply relatable lyrics make it an instant add to our playlists.
On February 8th, Pruett took the stage at MoPOP’s premier Sound Off! showcase for the 2025 program. From the moment they played their first note, the audience was hooked—cheering, chanting, and fully immersed in the music. And honestly? I get it. Even while snapping photos, I could feel their energy through the lens, leaving me wanting more myself.
After their set, I had the chance to sit down with the band to chat about their music, their creative process, and what’s next.
Behind the Music
When asked about their favorite tracks from Passions, the band members leaned toward Once and A Way Out for their emotional depth and the way they come alive on stage.
Pruett puts in serious work to bring their live performances to life, rehearsing two to three times a week. With sessions sometimes turning into jam sessions or writing sessions for new music. As for pre-show nerves? They’ve got their own unique ways of handling them. Their go-to methods include taking calming (non-weed!) stress gummies—says Noah Yo—chatting with other musicians to ease anxiety, and even busting out a few push-ups to shake off pre-show jitters.
Of course, performing isn’t just about managing nerves—it’s about the thrill of the stage. Issac described his favorite part of performing as the sheer adrenaline rush he gets from the energy in the room. “The music possesses me,” he said. And if you’ve ever seen Pruett live—or plan to—you’ll definitely see what he means.
One thing that resonated across the board was the emotional release that comes with performing. “Just going up there and getting any troubles you have and putting them into your guitar, saxophone, or drums—is such a rush,” Grayson shared. “Playing music we’ve worked so hard on in front of people, especially when they like it, is just awesome.”
This raw, unfiltered approach to music is what makes Pruett stand out. They don’t perform just for the sake of being on stage; they perform to connect—to express—and to create something real.
The Fan Connection
Fan reactions fuel the band just as much as the music itself.“Hearing people chant our names before we go up or people just loosing it to the music… just makes me feel so good because… that makes me realize we have made something that really gets the message out to other people our age.” they said. And while their lyrics come from the experiences of being young, the themes in Passions are universally relatable, no matter your age.
So Why Listen to Pruett?
Before wrapping up, I had to ask: “Why should people listen to Pruett?” Their response? As authentic as it gets.
“They don’t have to,” they said. “People like what they like. But if you do want to listen, we’re just super raw. So if you wanna hear some dumb high schoolers talk about their problems, take a listen.”
That kind of honesty is exactly what makes Pruett stand out. That’s exactly why people should listen. No gimmicks. No industry stereotypes. Not that those are at all a bad thing but their music particularly is just honest, heartfelt music that speaks for itself.
Finally, What’s Next?
Expect an EP release at some point down the road, but for now, get ready for more live shows around Seattle and keep an eye out for their new single, Jungle Song, dropping this spring. And yes—start saving up for merch, because it’s coming at some point.
To wrap things up, I’ll leave you with a final message straight from the band’s drummer:
“If you don’t stream Passions now, we are going to steal your skin.”
So, you might want to hit play ASAP.
And if you’re in the area—go to a show. Experience the music. Be a part of the energy. Or, as Pruett likes to say: “Be there or be circle!”