Will Pugh of Cartel

A lot has transpired since we last put forth a full length album. This band has gone through many tumultuous yet exciting experiences that have brought us to this point - the release of our 4th album, Collider. The title is a representation of those aforementioned experiences that shaped the continuing career of Cartel. When juxtaposed forces collide in the arena of physics many things can happen: destruction, creation, and metamorphosis, to name a few. We feel as though all of those things and more have shaped the career arc of this band. But most of all, they have had a direct impact on the way we create the music that you'll hear on this record.

We found ourselves without a label and marched forward to experiment with the idea of self-releasing and self-producing our music. That experiment was the In Stereo EP. The unintentional discovery in that process was that there is an honesty that is imperative to the making of our music that is necessary to create the best possible sonic experience. That is to say, we're at our best when we are not concerned with anything but making an album that we WANT to make. It was evident in Chroma. We strove for it despite the spectacle perceived in our self-titled album. We tried to find it again on Cycles. And now, with all other distractions and deterrences aside, we've found it again.

Some may describe the feeling as magical or effortless. I assure you there were no spells or rituals (of the magical nature anyway), and it certainly was not effortless. This painstaking and self reflecting effort yielded something that we are incredibly proud of and that we stand by 100%. Collider is the culmination of 3 years worth of life, love, and reflection. We can't wait for all of you to experience it with us and enjoy it like we do. Expect us on the road in the US and international destinations playing heart-filled shows that display our passion for the energy and essence put forth in the making of these songs - this album. This is Cartel in all its forms. This is Collider.