Lockstep marching is a military parade technique where soldiers move in unison with synchronized steps, creating a coordinated and visually impressive display. The term “lockstep” refers to the precision and uniformity required to maintain an even gait, with each soldier’s movements being tightly controlled to sync with the rest. The exact timing and spacing of steps are critical.

Much like the marching technique, LOCKSTEP from Nashville know the importance of timing and spacing. The three lock in with one another on their material, hitting an unmatched stride. Weaving together elements of shoegaze and doom metal, the band has a sound that is not only unique, but simultaneously refreshing and crushing.

LOCKSTEP creates an atmosphere within their music that leaves you wanting more. I first learned of them when they dropped Lockstep 1 back in 2021, containing tracks “Museum Mind” and “Perpetual Fix,” with awesome album art to boot. Their 2023 release Arrival was one of my favorite records of the year, so I was excited to chat with Austin Rolison (vocals, drums), Matt Schumacher (vocals, guitars, noise) and Tanner Ihrie (bass) of LOCKSTEP to learn more about them self-producing the record, their home scene of Nashville and some of their favorite artists.

LOCKSTEP: We’re a three-piece heavy rock band from Nashville, TN. I think overall our sound bridges a gap between doom and shoegaze.

LOCKSTEP: We wrote the majority of the EP in the second half of 2022 and recorded it in early 2023. Everything was tracked and mixed by our guitar player Matt and then mastered by Zac Montez. Whenever you’re in charge of producing your own material, it can be easy to isolate and obsess over minute details. I think we fell into that at times but looking back we’re really proud of how everything turned out. That said, I think our new material will be our best yet as we’ve gotten a better idea of exactly what we want LOCKSTEP to be.

LOCKSTEP: True Widow, Kowloon Walled City, Cloakroom are some big influences.

LOCKSTEP: A bit of both. I think someone presenting an initial riff, whether it’s on guitar, bass or a drum part helps expedite the process a little. A lot of what ends up on record is just a product of us jamming in a room though.

LOCKSTEP: As a band, mostly we like to drink and talk shit, and that gets us pretty stoked.

LOCKSTEP: Collectively, we’re into most everything extreme. Tanner and I (Austin) are big death metal heads though.

LOCKSTEP: I think Nashville can be a tough market to break into from an underground music standpoint, but we’re surrounded by awesome musicians, artists, DIY promoters, etc. that support each other and are working to make the music scene here a cool and welcoming place.

LOCKSTEP: Gumm, Knoll, Total Wife, Soot and Wulven are all badass bands from TN doing cool shit.

LOCKSTEP: We’re all really into the approach that Sunn O))) takes with their music. That would be a dream collab.

LOCKSTEP: Our show in Atlanta with Wisp and Photographic Memory was the craziest show we’ve played so far in terms of the number of people we played to and the overall reaction. Everyone in that camp was super nice too. Go see them if you have the chance.

LOCKSTEP: New music coming out later this year and a couple more tours, so plenty of chances to come hang and see us around the US.

Check out the music video for “Weave” (Shot by Jerry Roe)