Atlanta based shoegaze/dream pop/indie rock unit Widow 100’s recently released their debut E.P. “Cherry Burning” which has quickly become one of my favorite records of 2025.
I caught up with band members Joseph McMichen and Jonathan Quinn to talk about their early musical experiences, how they started playing together and the making of the record.
CMM-What was the first music that really made an impact on you all as kids and what artist or band did the two of you enjoy the most?
Joseph: Growing up my sister Gabi and babysitter Jennifer showed me all the music I’d still love today. Bright Eyes, Against Me, Pinback, Neutral Milk Hotel and 311 were mainstays. I probably listened to Reinventing Axl Rose, Summer in Abaddon, and I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning 1,000 times each by the time I was 13. Granted I’m 31 now but all these bands still come up on my playlists today. Also I’m a little embarrassed to say I was obsessed with Coldplay’s Parachutes when I was a kid. I’m still very fond of that record now. Shoutout to Elliott Smith’s Figure 8, that record got me through this year.
Jon: Growing up, grunge was about as wild as I was allowed to get. there was a lot of Hall & Oates & Queen until I hit middle school & found Candlebox, Smashing Pumpkins, & Nirvana. As far as bands we both can agree on, Catherine Wheel, Elliott Smith, & Pinback are happy middle grounds.
CMM-How did Widow 100’s get together and start writing songs and developing your own sound?
Joseph: I had just made a lot of huge life changes. Mainly the decision to get sober. Jon and I have been cooking together at our local Japanese restaurant Ok Yaki and doing my old pop up Loma’s Supper Club for the last 3 years. Once I finally got my life together he was there to help me put all these songs together. Ben Lande and I had written in After Care together over the last few years so writing with him came naturally as well. A lot of the songs we’re writing I’ve had small parts to forever but working with Jon, Ben, and Bennett things just come more naturally than they ever have. It really is a dream team. We’re just four nerds that get to geek out about all the weird shit we love and write music we’re passionate about, I got very lucky.
CMM-The band recently released an E.P. called “Cherry Burning”. What was the writing and recording process like and were there any particular pieces of gear you used to get the sound you were looking for?
Joseph: We were able to record with the wonderful Connor Ray owner of Sobek Sound. I’ve been working with him for many years and absolutely adore recording with him. He has a wall of vintage Music Man and Sunn amps we always love playing with. Two pedals I brought in that I really loved using on this EP were the Rainger FX Drone Rainger and Old Blood Noise Endeavors Pardner. Everything both those companies put out are perfect.
CMM-If the band could do a score for any film director, who would it be and what would the film be about?
Joseph: Jon and I literally spend multiple nights a week binge watching movies so I love this question. David Lynch was my all time favorite director, if we could have scored his unreleased “Wisteria” that would be a dream come true. As for living directors I would love to work with Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw The TV Glow was one of my favorite movies of the last decade. I was crying by the end of it. Honorable mention to Hal Ashby and Wim Wenders.
Jon: As far as who I’d love to score for, Kelly Reichardt as a contemporary director & Robert Altman circa early-mid 70s.
CMM-Anything coming up?
Joseph: If you’re in Atlanta you can see us at The Earl December 27th with our friends Drugula, Chuck Jr, and Baby Bites all wonderful bands and people. We’ve been working on a full length for a while now and we’re already talking to Connor Ray about booking studio time for early in 2026 for a much longer record.
