Moosic Entertainment: Do you have a story behind your band name?
Christopher Listorti: The Pretty Graves was one of five names we considered for a while. It ended up having staying power, and it fits the vibe of the music we love to make. The Pretty Graves name is inspired by the thought of remembering those we’ve loved and lost. It’s also a poetic image of the graveyard I used to visit by the Connecticut river, where I smoked mad amounts of weed years ago. We also like the juxtaposition between ‘pretty’ and ‘graves.’
Tell us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
My personal journey began as a child and continues to shape who I am today. Both of my parents are retired professional musicians and music teachers. I grew up listening to classical and jazz and studied them as well. I was lucky that my mother listened to the Beach Boys alongside a wide range of classical artists when I was a toddler. My father is responsible for my love for Miles Davis, Art Blakey, and Mingus. My brother-in-law introduced me to The Velvet Underground and Pavement, around the time of my encounter with Weezer’s Blue Album. I played in bands in and out of school, jazz, and rock bands since 5th grade. I wish more young musicians could have these kinds of experiences that I was fortunate enough to have.
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
We sound like The Velvet Underground had babies with Sonic Youth, Pavement, Teenage Fanclub, and Weezer, and started a blended family doing what Jeff Tweedy does with his. I don’t know, maybe not that amazing, but reaching for it. Lyrically, most of our songs are poetic still lifes, observations, autobiographical fantasy, mixed with a couple of love songs, heartfelt and heartbreaking. Poetry joined with tasteful indie rock power-pop.
What drew you to the genre/instruments you’re playing right now?
I studied piano, bass, and tuba, but I always wanted to play guitar and write songs instead. Luckily, I always had access to one. So, I got more serious about writing, especially when I got into Elliott Smith. I kept writing and writing until I honed my craft a bit, trying to write songs I wanted to hear. My influences are really what drew me to the electric guitar after years of devotion to my acoustic guitar. Then I got into pedals, textures, noise, fuzz, etc. Hollis Dunlap (Guitar), Glen Metcalfe (Drums), Mike Pace (Bass), and I like to geek out hard over music gear.
What inspires you to write music?
I find inspiration in everything and everyone. I am the type of person who has to create to feel good or to settle down and find peace in all the malarky going on around us. When I complete a song, it’s kind of like having a child that you want to foster into reaching their greatest potential.
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
The Pretty Graves’ s/t album is our debut album. Set to come out May 8. Ten songs that reflect where we were at the time we wrote and recorded them with Brian Charles at Rare Signals. ‘Bending Reeds’ is our first single from the record. We released it into the wild on April 10. This jam has most of the elements of The Pretty Graves in one nugget of a song: hooks, strong melodies, whimsical vocals, and fuzzed-out guitars. For these reasons, we decided to lead with ‘Bending Reeds’ to promote the new record.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
I hope they get the same feeling I get when I hear a song that resonates with me. Songs they can identify with that make them feel good, nostalgic, empowered, and not alone.
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
I still listen to all the Jonathan Fire Eater albums. I would definitely throw in anything that Stephen Malkmus is doing. Lastly, I can’t get enough of Metz.
Who is your dream producer?
Rick Rubin is one of the many dream producers I have. The Creative Act is a brilliant book; I also love his podcast. I love everything he has to say about the creative process and how to process or reframe the many thoughts that run through our heads as creators.
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
Our website or DM on any social platform. We’re mostly active on FB and Instagram. Fans can also write to theprettygraves@gmail.com or booking@theprettygraves.com (but that one is ultimately just for booking inquiries).
Connect with The Pretty Graves:
Homepage x Multi x Bandcamp x Instagram
What’s next for you and the band?
We’re currently playing a bunch of regional shows and festivals in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts until we begin planning for a few mini tours. We’re releasing a second record, which we recorded on reel-to-reel tape while we were finding our sound. In hindsight, we had already kind of found it. So we’re releasing those 10 songs too, which include one demo of a track on our debut album. We are also going to record a third time with our friend Brian Charles again at Rare Signals. We’ll be releasing many other songs during this time, as well as a split 7-inch with friends of ours. We plan to release a few videos as well. We’ve also started a small independent record label called L’appel Du Vide Des Disques.
Bio:
The Pretty Graves are an underground art-rock and indie quartet based in Connecticut. They craft a potent mix of emotive energy, engaging lyricism, fuzzed-out guitars, and melodies that stay with the listener long after the song ends. Their self-titled album drops on May 8, 2026, preceded by lead single ‘Bending Reeds’ a month earlier.
