Ones2Watch Home

With their most recent success signing to Epitaph Records and landing massive support tours, pop-punk up-and-comers Magnolia Park have proven they are much more than just a “TikTok band.” 

From growing up listening to bands such as Blink-182 to eventually sharing the same stage as them, the upstart Florida act is a shining example that dreams do come true if you’re willing to put in the work. 

Recently, while out supporting scene staples A Day To Remember alongside The Used and Movements, The Noise caught up with Magnolia Park members Joshua Roberts (vocalist), Tristan Torres (guitarist), and Vincent Ernst (keyboardist).

To see what the emerging musicians had to say about leading the new wave of pop-punk, playing next year’s When We Were Young Fest and, of course, TikTok, be sure to read below. Afterward, don’t forget to pre-save Magnolia Park’s upcoming debut album Baku’s Revenge here.

The Noise: You’ve worked with producer Andrew Wade and are now touring with A Day To Remember. How does it feel to have that full circle moment with a band that you look up to and what have been some memorable moments so far? 

Joshua Roberts: When I first heard “if it means a lot to you” it made me want to make Pop Punk music and being on tour with them really motivates me to keep going. They even let us throw toilet paper at the crowd during their set. That was a really great full-circle moment. 

With this being your debut album release, how does it feel knowing that fans are finally going to hear the album and what do you hope they take away from this release? 

Tristan Torres: It feels amazing getting to release these songs. We want fans to just have fun listening to the album and hopefully find a new personal favorite.

The deluxe version of Baku’s Revenge includes four tracks exclusive to the deluxe release. Were these songs written after the rest of the album or were they part of the original batch of songs?

Vincent Ernst: All the songs from the deluxe album happened in separate writing sessions before, during and after the primary recording process for Baku’s Revenge. Facedown and Complicated were done with Matt Malpass earlier in the year, Dizzy was written with Jason Suwito in LA in between sessions with Andrew Wade and Don’t Be Racist was done with Andy Karpovck after most of the songs were done. 

You were recently announced to play next year’s When We Were Young Fest. How does it feel to be included in such a legendary lineup and who are you most excited to see?

TT: It feels amazing to be able to play with such amazing bands. Freddie and I started playing and writing music because of Blink-182. To share the stage with them is such an honor!

The band was formed in 2019 and COVID hit right after. How did that affect the band and how did you change your approach? 

VE: During the pandemic, we just went hard in the studio and wrote tons of music. We also wrote over skype calls and still do until now. 

Many artists are vocal about their distaste of TikTok / creating content, but you have chosen to embrace it instead. What makes you choose to interact on that platform and do you feel like you reach a different audience?

TT: All those artists that hate on it are old heads that are too mad to actually put in work to promote their own songs. 

In the past, you have mentioned the lack of diversity in the genre as frustrating. As a band that features members of color, what are some ways the industry can be more inclusive? 

TT: The industry likes to put people of color down and changes need to come from including more POC artists on platforms that they say we aren't typically a part of like Rock and Pop Punk and have a light be shown on them as well. That way the next generation of artists can already have a platform to go to. 

Magnolia Park has a very honest approach when it comes to topics such as mental health in your lyrics. What makes you take such a direct approach to your songwriting and what do you hope the listener takes from your message?

JR: When we write it’s from something we experience. Our main goal with songs is hopefully to help someone get through a tough day or really help in any way possible. The lyrics mean everything to us. 

In a genre that has had a mainstream revival in the last few years, how does Magnolia Park stand apart from the masses? 

TT: We fuse all of our influences together to create something unique in the world of Pop Punk. We are the new wave and if you don’t get that by now you are lost.