Cherry Meltdown is a trio from Eugene, Oregon. The band formed because both Payden and Josef lived with Oliver of Novacane. Aidan went over to Oliver's house to jam out and quickly realized he wanted Payden and Josef to be a part of Cherry Meltdown.
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I remember saying, 'hey I need a drummer a bassist' and they were down!"-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"Going into it, I thought it was going to continue to be my solo project, with them helping. We totally hit it off musically and as friends."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"There was one time we wrote a set's worth of songs in one week."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
Cherry Meltdown began as Aidan's solo project, but it's evolved into a band once he found Payden and Josef.
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I wrote most of the songs, but the music wouldn't be the same without them. They truly help make it into a song."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without both Payden and Josef."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"Towards the end of my senior year, I went to Seattle and had the perfect weekend. I absolutely love Seattle."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"One of my favorite places in the world is my grandparents cabin in the redwoods. There's a wood fire stove, lanterns, and no electricity. It's so refreshing and beautiful. I remember listening to my grandpa playing guitar here when I was younger."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I was BORN to be on the west coast *laughs*"-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"My grandpa was a flamingo guitarist. Listening to him play his guitar at that cabin inspired me to start playing music."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"Cherry Meltdown's second house show ever had an energy from the crowd that was like nothing I've ever experienced before."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"When you hear and play your own music over and over, it starts to lose its magic, but playing with Josef and Payden adds so much to the music."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"The show you photographed was the first show my dad ever came to! It was also the first show where we had a crowd surfer!"-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"One time I filled a Craigslist Ad looking for a rhythm guitar and I ended up hating it so much I quit. This was when I realized it's crucial to enjoy being around bandmates."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"That show was perfect and beautiful, and I'll remember it forever."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I wasn't a passionate person until music came along. I've also been happier since playing music. My girlfriend, Zeah, and my cat, Archy, have helped with that too."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I think it's important to acknowledge my faults and embrace that it's truly ok to not be ok!"-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"I really love watching how the audience responds to the songs."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
Aidan's grandfather played a huge role in his musical life. He listened to him play music since he was young and he said, "I always thought the guitar looked fun when he played it."
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"Going into Cherry Meltdown, I was into slackery-jangle pop. Kind of Mac Demarco style. Because of Payden and Josef, my interests have shifted to psych and garage rock."-Aidan
Photo by Ashley McMurray.
"Payden plays his guitar through bass amps with EQ pedals, giving the sound of a bass. He fills the role of bassist, but with a guitar. A Cherry Meltdown fun fact!"-Aidan
