IN TRANSMISSION Channel Frustration And Hope On Betterment

Interview by Angela Croudace
Post-rock outfit In Transmission are back with their new EP,
Betterment, a record that blends atmospheric beauty with an urgent
social conscience. Frontman Martin says the inspiration behind lead
single Catching Up (and the EP as a whole) comes from observing a
world plagued by environmental and civil issues, often met with
apathy.
“When it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy not to care,”
Martin explains. “But if we ignore these things and just focus on
our own individual lives, it’s going to catch up to us.” That
message of personal accountability, particularly through mindful
spending and daily decisions, threads through the band’s latest
work.
Betterment also represents an evolution in In Transmission’s sound.
Known for their instrumental, post-rock style, the group has
embraced a more vocal-forward approach, blending melodic guitar
layers with a heavier edge. “It’s about trying to do better in all
aspects — creatively and personally,” Martin says. “We’ve naturally
gravitated toward a heavier live set, but still hold onto the
atmospheric elements.”
Recorded with longtime collaborator Beau Burchell, the EP benefited
from Burchell’s ability to enhance rather than overhaul the band’s
ideas. “He just takes what we have and makes it sound way better,”
Martin notes.
The writing process remains rooted in live jamming, with songs
developing organically — sometimes in a single rehearsal, other
times through extensive trial and error. Influences range from
post-rock staples Mogwai and Sigur Rós to post-hardcore acts like
Thrice, Citizen, and Basement.
The Catching Up music video, filmed in a Los Angeles photo studio,
takes a simple performance setup and adds a playful twist in the
form of a motorised rotating floor. “It started as a joke,” Martin
laughs, “but ended up being some of the coolest shots.”
While touring is on hold due to new arrivals in the band’s extended
family, Martin hopes Australia is in their future. A keen surfer,
he dreams of spending a month exploring the coastline. “That’s why
I haven’t gone yet — I want to do it properly.”
For now, Betterment captures a band balancing introspection and
intensity, with music that resonates as much in a wedding aisle as
it does in a packed venue. Watch the interview for more on the
sweet request from a fan to walk down the aisle to an In
Transmission song.


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