Erode the Dream have just released their latest single, “Blue,” along with a music video that was directed by their drummer, Steven Wilson, with a help from a cast of friends. This is the band’s first taste of new music since 2025’s Neon Nightmares EP, and comes as they are in the running for the Charleston City Paper’s Best Up & Coming Band of 2025. Catch them at the Music Farm on April 2nd for Indie Night.
Watch the video for “Blue” below, and read on to learn more.
Erode the Dream – “Blue” Video (2026)
Q&A with Erode the Dream: “Blue” Music Video Release
“Blue” feels atmospheric but still heavy. What inspired the song?
Steve Wilson: This song is incredibly unique to me in the development of our band and our sound. If you’ve listened to us before, you know our first album carried a dark, ominous tone throughout. Personally, I felt like this track took a step in a more grounded direction — not quite the exact sound we were aiming for with Neon Nightmares, but with hints of it still present, like a sauce that’s only gotten better over time. I’ve been excited for this release for over a year.
The song has a grunge aesthetic mixed with modern atmosphere. Was that intentional?
Jon Stout: We love classic grunge bands and definitely pull inspiration from those songs to create something fresh. We’re drawn to loud guitars layered with delay and reverb, balanced by tight drums — that contrast really defines the track.
Steve: Jon definitely loves loud guitars more than sound guys. laughs
The music video introduces these “ghouls.” What do they represent?
Steve: I tried to leave the video open to interpretation, but for me they represent the animalistic side of ourselves — that “trash panda” energy that wants to be released but also controlled. It’s often something people tap into through altered states or substances, which is where the bottles come into play.
The fire scenes feel ritualistic. What was the creative vision behind that?
Steve: I wanted to capture warmth — something that naturally brings people together. Throughout history, fire, drink, and music have created connection and security, even in dark times. Visually, it felt like a powerful contrast to the title Blue.
The track features guest harmonica. That’s unexpected in a heavy track. How did that come about?
Jon: We didn’t want it to feel gimmicky. The harmonica adds a haunting, blues-driven tension that gives the song a raw, human edge guitars alone couldn’t create. Chris Schneider handled all the harmonica work. Our co-producer Eric Rickert had collaborated with him on Tyler Boone projects and performs with him live, so it felt like a natural fit.
What was the recording process like for this track?
Jon: We recorded everything with Eric Rickert at Big Animal Studios in Charleston, SC. Eric engineered, co-produced, and mixed the track. We’re fortunate to have access to such an incredible studio, and we brought Michael White back to master the song — he also mastered our EP Neon Nightmares.
Steve: I’ll add that it was one of the easiest songs we’ve recorded. It just poured out and settled into place perfectly.
Lyrically, what does “Blue” mean to you personally?
Mauricio Sanchez: The song explores a moment of seeing your own reflection while in a dream state. There’s also the concept of desdoblamiento, a spiritual experience within dreams where you engage in dialogue with yourself — encouraging growth and reaffirming your goals. In English, “blue” can mean sadness, but it can also refer to something arriving unexpectedly, like “out of the blue.” Those layered meanings all interact within the concept of the song.
Compared to your previous releases, where does “Blue” sit in your evolution as a band?
Jon: This was one of the last songs written that didn’t make it onto Neon Nightmares, so it shares some of that atmosphere. At the same time, it incorporates elements that reflect the direction of our newer material, helping bridge those phases of our songwriting.
Was there a specific moment during filming that stood out?
Jon: A big part of the process was building the storyline and dialing in lighting and in-camera effects. Steve had everything storyboarded with vision boards that helped us understand the full scope. We synchronized lighting to the song, coordinated makeup and set design, and once the sun went down on shoot day, it was incredible to watch everything come together exactly as envisioned.
Steve: It was definitely more complex than I expected. I’ve created quirky promotional videos before, but nothing at this scale. Jon helped anticipate potential issues, which made the process smoother. Mauricio crushed the visual effects under a tight two-day deadline, and Jeff Adams brought invaluable camera experience, helping shape and time complicated shots while adding subtle Easter eggs. It was a whirlwind night, and we couldn’t have done it without friends who came in to help from all over.
If listeners take one thing away from “Blue,” what do you hope it is?
Steve: That electric feeling of confidence — the moment when you realize nothing can stop you.
Mauricio: That people can trust themselves and find encouragement within.