Mainland (band)

Mainland
OriginNew York, New York
Genrespost-punk, pop[1]
Years active2011–2019 [2]
Labels300 Entertainment
MembersJordan Topf (vocals, guitar)
Corey Mullee (guitar, synth)
Alex Pitta (bass)
Past membersDylan Longstreet (drums)

Mainland was an American post-punk/rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. The current members are Jordan Topf, Corey Mullee, and Alex Pitta.

Mainland by Jabari Jacobs

Background

2011-2015

Members Corey and Jordan first met at a party, Jordan being in another band at the time. After leaving his former band, he reconnected with Corey to form Mainland. Alex worked at restaurant with Jordan and joined shortly after.[4][5][6] The band’s name comes from a word Topf first heard used by his mother, who spoke of missing the mainland of California where she grew up. Said Topf, “It felt fitting for our story and how we met in New York City. There tends to always be a sense of nostalgia and longing in our music whether it be about a place or a person.” [7]

2015-present

In December 2015, Mainland released a 4-song EP titled Outcast under 300 Entertainment, the record label which they signed with earlier that year. The EP was recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles [8]released exclusively through Billboard.[9] They toured with Canadian band Marianas Trench from January–February 2016.[10] They were the opening act for Jukebox the Ghost in February 2016, and the opening act for Melanie Martinez's Cry Baby tour.[11] In June 2016, they released their single "Beggars" followed by a stream of self-produced singles “Permission Slip”, “Empty Promises”, and “Dummy Test”. On April 28, 2019, the band released a 5-song EP titled Villains under 300 Entertainment. It included singles "I Found God" and “Hometown". On May 22, 2019, Mainland collaborated with Rynx for the release of his fourth single, “Read My Mind.”
The band played their final show on January 25th, 2019 at The Satellite in Los Angeles, California.[12] The band went dormant the years following as singer Jordan Topf went solo as Windser [13] and announced on X their official split in 2022.[14]

Notable Features

Mainland’s single "Not As Cool As Me" was featured on Shake Shack's Shack 10 playlist on Spotify, which features 10 popular songs playing in locations each month.[15]

Influences

Collectively, Mainland's influences include British bands such as The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order, and The La's. In Jordan Topf’s words, "We love the way those bands mask well-crafted pop songs with poignant lyrics."[16] Mainland also lists Michael Jackson, The Velvet Underground, and The Clash as artists that inspire them.[17]

Discography

  • Shiner EP (2014)
  • Outcast EP (2015)
  • Beggars (2016)
  • Permission Slip (2016)
  • Empty Promises (2016)
  • Dummy Test (2016)
  • I Found God (2017)
  • Hometown (2018)
  • Villains EP (2018)

References

  1. ^ "Welcome". M A I N L A N D. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. ^ Monahan, Kaely (14 January 2016). "Summer comes early with Mainland". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  3. ^ DiMartino, Dave. "Mainland: A Bit Out of Time…But in a Good Way". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. ^ Maurer, Daniel (2016-02-29). "Premiere: Watch Mainland Play 'A Bit Out of Time' at a Fake Diner". Bedford and Bowery. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  5. ^ Staff. "The Outcast Story: A Q&A with Mainland / Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  6. ^ Suvick, Paige. "Sound Scene Express | Mainland Interview and TICKET GIVEAWAY". Sound Scene Express. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  7. ^ "GOLDEN BOY PRESS - MAINLAND GOLDEN BOY PRESS INTERVIEW #369 Meet..." Golden Boy Press. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  8. ^ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mainland_b_8066752
  9. ^ Williams, Nick. "NYC Indie-Pop Rockers Mainland Stream 'Outcast' EP: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  10. ^ Igneri, Jenna (7 January 2016). "The Boys Of Mainland Are Cooler Than You Are". NYLON. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  11. ^ Keller, Roscoe (10 April 2016). "Interview: NYC's Mainland Discuss New Album And Life On Tour". The New Fury. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  12. ^ https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/the-technicolors-with-all-things-blue-at-the-satellite-january-25-2019
  13. ^ https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/windser-trouble-in-paradise
  14. ^ https://x.com/mainland/status/1528118052935507968
  15. ^ Staff (6 January 2016). "2016'S BRINGING THE BURGER BEATS ON JANUARY'S SHACK10 PLAYLIST". Shake Shack. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  16. ^ Staff. "Video: A Baeble NEXT Session With Mainland - Baeble Music". Baeble Music. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  17. ^ Ladygunn (18 March 2016). "#SXSW: MAINLAND". LadyGunn. Retrieved 28 July 2016.