Few artists would consider leaving “live music capital of the world” Austin for the Midwest. Gold Steps not only chose that path–they’re thriving on it. With their 2022 EP That Ain’t It, released on Revival Recordings, the band marks a new era of assertiveness, calling out toxic influences with hook-laden, brutal honesty and revealing growth towards a more polished, pop-forward sound.

EP singles “Petty,” and “Stay The Same,” quickly became fan favorites, the latter featuring vocalist Liz Mauritz directing razor-sharp jabs at a toxic friend. Self-empowerment and autonomy are central themes on the record, as well as the band’s signature self-reflection and vulnerability, best showcased on final track “Gatsby,” a synthy apology letter to a neglected love. Mauritz describes, “I’ve grown to appreciate the intensity of my emotions…how powerful my love, my fury, and my pain can be. I hope That Ain’t It inspires others to feel the power in their own emotions, really live in those moments, appreciate them—it’s what makes us uniquely human.”

Formed in 2016 by Mauritz and Zach Duarte (guitar), Gold Steps explored easycore-tinged anthems on debut EP Louder Than Words. A chance meeting with nonprofit HeartSupport led the band to confront personal mental health struggles on 2018’s thematic EP, Incandescent. Rock Sound remarked the EP delivered “shades of summer through buoyant pop punk tropes and gruff easycore undertones.” Gold Step’s 2019 singles “Empty Space,” and “Under Attack,” showcased a pop-minded shift in their hallmarks of dynamic vocal melodies, bright leads and fill-heavy drums.

After a year of silence, Gold Steps re-emerged in 2021 in Milwaukee, announcing new music and new members Ryan Rivas (bass) and Mikey Britz (drums), and later Alex Maranto (guitar). Glimpses on social media showed the band reuniting with collaborator Nick Thompson (Hit The Lights, Thief Club), and teasing more pop-friendly hooks. That same year, Alternative Press named Gold Steps to their list of “13 Artists Who Are Reclaiming The Pop-Punk Music Scene in 2021” alongside Meet Me @ The Altar and Jetty Bones.

Gold Steps has fine-tuned their energetic live show through extensive touring, most recently supporting SayWeCanFly and Johnnie Guilbert on a full US Tour in October 2022. They’ve opened for Billboard-charting artists Charlotte Sands and Stand Atlantic, and have performed at the Vans Warped Tour, Summerfest, SXSW, and So What Music Fest. Gold Steps has over one million streams on Spotify, and the platform has featured the band on its curated playlists, including “Pop Punk’s Not Dead,” “New Punk Tracks,” and “Fresh Finds Rock.”