UNCVRD: FORTUNE TELLER

Welsh pop-punk band Fortune Teller goes through a period of artistic evolution with their new single, "Nothing Left To Say."

Who could have predicted that Paul Jackson’s visionary creation of Neck Deep’s "Wishful Thinking" would lay the groundwork for the emergence of the Welsh pop-punk band Fortune Teller? The promising Welsh group would take such inspirations and make their dreams a reality, making a striking debut with their highly anticipated 2024 EP, "Premonitions." Collaborating with talented producers Todd Campbell and Tom Ianello, Fortune Teller crafted an EP that not only showcased a maturity beyond their years but also imbued their sound with a distinct nuance and edge, allowing them to carve out a unique space among both established icons and rising contemporaries in the genre.

Now releasing their latest single, "Nothing Left To Say," the up-and-coming band is unveiling a more cohesive and unified sound, reflecting their growth and experimentation in songwriting. This track signifies a pivotal moment in their artistic vocal evolution, blending fresh, shimmering guitar and percussive elements that push the limits of their creative boundaries within pop-punk. As they embark on this exciting new chapter in their music careers, "Nothing Left To Say" promises to captivate listeners with its innovative flair and emotional depth, heralding a bright future for Fortune Teller in the competitive music landscape.

What is the story behind Fortune Teller? What inspired the name of the band?

Fortune Teller: It came from the artwork for Wishful Thinking by Neck Deep. We’re massive fans of the band, so the name’s also a little homage to the fellow Welsh boys.

You are about to release your new single, "Nothing Left To Say." Before this, you released your debut EP, "Premonitions," back in 2024, which was such a great EP, by the way! Although it's only been about a year since that release, how have you grown and evolved as a band during this time?

Fortune Teller: Thanks so much for the kind words about Premonitions! In the past year, we really focused on honing our sound and perfecting our songwriting abilities; as a result, we’re becoming more unified as a band. While Premonitions was a snapshot of where we were at the time, our new single, “Nothing Left To Say,” reflects how we’ve grown both individually and together. We’ve experimented more with our songwriting, pushing ourselves creatively, and we’ve become tighter as a unit. It’s been a journey, but we’re excited for people to hear the evolution of our music.

You worked with Todd Campbell at his studio, Stompbox, and Tom Iannello on the last EP, who has worked with one of many major influences on your sound, Driveways, and Four Year Strong. Listening to this EP, you can feel their presence down to the razor-sharp and deep resonance of the production that complements your anthemic, heavy presence on this EP. Coming into this new single, "Nothing Left To Say," how would you say this process was different from your last release?

Fortune Teller: For “Nothing Left to Say,” the process has been a lot more collaborative. While our last EP benefited greatly from working with Todd Campbell and Tom Ianello, who brought their expertise in creating a sharp, resonant sound that truly captured the energy of bands like Driveways and Four Year Strong, we weren’t able to get Tom on board this time due to budget constraints after just releasing an EP. However, Todd absolutely smashed the mix, taking everything we wanted and elevating it to the next level. This time, we really aimed for a more dynamic and emotionally nuanced production while still maintaining that heavy, anthemic pop-punk presence our fans expect. Each band member had a lot more hands-on involvement in shaping the direction of the track, making the process feel more personal and reflective of where we are as a band right now. It’s been about balancing that punchy, energetic sound with a deeper emotional connection, and it really showcases the growth we’ve experienced since our last release.

So far, only one single has been released. Coming into this new process, what have you discovered about yourselves that you didn't have the chance to explore fully in your debut release?

Fortune Teller: For Fortune Teller, after releasing Premonitions, we’ve really started to focus on refining our sound and honing in on the direction we want to go with our new material. We’ve discovered a deeper understanding of how we want our music to connect with our audience emotionally. The debut release was a great introduction, but as we’ve evolved, we’ve learned more about the balance between raw energy and vulnerability in our songwriting.

What is next for you guys? Is this single a part of a larger effort?

Fortune Teller: We don’t want to give away too much, but there are some more exciting things coming shortly after the release of Nothing Left to Say on the 25th. Right now, we’re focused on adding a bunch of new material to our set before we hit the road and really take on the live side of things.