The Night Painters

Indie rock band The Night Painters is based in Madison, Wisconsin, but it started as a Seattle project in 2018. Inspired by the PNW’s existential gloom that birthed the likes of Death Cab for Cutie and Built to Spill, childhood friends Al Knox (vocals, guitar) and Seth Young (vocals, drums) teamed up with Meg Knox (vocals, bass) to write and perform memorable music that prodded at life’s most complicated questions. Their time in Seattle culminated with their debut album, Psychopaths Anonymous, that explored a series of characters grappling with the human condition.

In 2019, the members relocated to different areas of the country, putting the band on a brief hiatus. The project was brought back to life in 2021 with The Party People EP, a collection of depressing party songs that were written and recorded over the Internet. Later that year, Seth joined Al in Madison, and the two began performing in the area. They also wrote, recorded, and produced an album in 23 hours during the transition into Daylight Saving Time, a project they aptly titled Saving Daylight.

Life struck for a second time, and, with the band scattered across the country yet again, Al connected with local legends Harry Hochwarter (bass, synth) and Luke Stanton (drums) who have helped The Night Painters maintain a footing in Madison’s live music scene. In late 2024, they released Fence of Perfect Lines, an album that discusses life’s trajectory and whether there’s anything we can do about it.