Ahead of the Secret City Metal Meltdown Festival in Oak Ridge on August 29th, I caught up with Echo- one of the bands poised to make this year’s lineup absolutely explode. Echo is ready to bring their unique blend of soft melodies, smooth vocals, crushing screams and in-your-face riffs to the stage. The band is gearing up not only for the festival but also for a short road trip. We talked about the upcoming show, their creative process and what’s next for them.

Be sure to catch their set and check out their videos on YouTube. There is definitely a lot of work and creativity to check out in their socials. 

Who’s the best band or artist you’ve seen live?

- Chris Eschelbacher (Drums): Nine Inch Nails in Knoxville.

- Kyle Rowe (Bass): Slightly Stoopid at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

- Josh Frank (Vocals): Sleep Token in Asheville.

- Christian Dalton (Guitar): Starset at The Mill & Mine
 

How long has Echo been together, and how did the band originally come together?

We all grew up listening to different genres of music, but collectively found ourselves drawn to metal. As we've continued writing together, our sound has naturally evolved into what Echo is today, blending the influences each of us brings to the table.

Music consumption has changed a lot over the years. Where do you feel you get the most feedback- Spotify, YouTube or social media? What platforms drive the strongest interaction with your fans?

Honestly, TikTok has been our biggest source of interaction so far. It gives us the ability to create both serious and comical content, which helps people connect with us beyond just the music. It's been a great platform for reaching new listeners and engaging with our growing fanbase.

With Secret City Meltdown Fest coming up on August 29th, you’ll be sharing the stage with a lot of great bands from the area. You’ll be in front of a whole slew of new ears and eyes. What do you look forward to most about the show?

More than anything, we're excited to spend time with the local music community. Meeting other bands, building relationships, connecting with new fans, and being part of such a strong local scene is what we're looking forward to most.

What does Echo have lined up after Secret City Meltdown Fest? 

After the festival, it's back to writing and working on new music—something we're always doing. We already have several new songs in the works, and we're also preparing for our first small road trip where we'll be playing a couple of back-to-back shows over a few days. We're excited for what's ahead.

Where can listeners follow the band and stay up to date on everything you have going on?

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where we post updates and behind-the-scenes content. Our music is also available on most major streaming platforms. We'd love for everyone to give us a listen—we've got a lot to say through our music, and we're just getting started.