WILLOWAKE: Echoes in the South Bay

Formed in Torrance, CA and now based out of the South Bay area, Willowake is a three-piece built on the kind of chemistry that only comes from friends making loud music together. The band consists of JR Polanco on vocals and guitar, Gavin Alvarado on bass, and Dax Corcoran on the drum kit. In a short time, they’ve gone from garage recordings to having a rapidly growing fanbase, fueled by songs like “Echo Odd” and “I See Ghosts,”. They are one of the most exciting names rising out of Southern California’s buzzing underground scene. 

When I spoke with Polanco, the band’s frontman, he came across exactly how you’d expect from someone at the center of an exciting new project—polite, cool, and genuinely enthusiastic about the tunes they’re creating. There’s no inflated ego or manufactured persona here. Just a songwriter who clearly loves what he does.

Photo by: Yazhi Trujillo

From Garage Recordings to Real Studios

Like countless bands before them, Willowake’s early days began in the most authentic setting possible: a garage.

Those early sessions were recorded at home with help from Jakob Armstrong, the singer and guitarist of Ultra Q and The Death Chat. Eventually, those recordings evolved into something more polished as the band began working out of a professional studio near their South Bay home base. But the spirit of those early DIY sessions still defines how they approach songwriting.

For Polanco, writing usually starts alone.

“For me, I like working slower, rather than the three of us all together at once,” he explained. “Starting a new song by myself helps me focus on lyrics and stuff.”

It’s a process that allows him to shape the core of a song before bringing it to the table with Gavin and Dax. 

“Once I get the bare bones figured out, then I bring it to the other two.”

Lyrically, Polanco gravitates toward one of rock music’s most timeless subjects: relationships.

“I’ve always been into the romantic side of things with my writing,” he said. “Words come together and form a story.”

That storytelling element is a huge part of what gives Willowake’s songs their emotional punch. There’s a heavy human feel to the lyrics that pairs perfectly with the band’s loud ass guitars and rhythm section, echoing the traditions of legendary bands like the Descendents, The Replacements, and blink-182.

A Scene That’s Thriving

Willowake’s rise isn’t happening in isolation. Southern California—particularly the Los Angeles area—is currently experiencing a major surge in alternative and punk music. The music scene feels especially alive at the moment.

“There’s a lot of bands coming out of here right now,” Polanco said. “There’s a lot of different scenes happening.”

Those scenes stretch across the entire live music ecosystem: backyard shows, house venues, DIY spaces, and small clubs scattered throughout the region. For young bands trying to build momentum, it’s a damn near perfect environment to be in.

“L.A. has something special going on right now and it’s really fun to be a part of,” Polanco told me.

“Everyone around here knows each other, it’s so fun to get together with friends and play shows.”

That sense of community is often what defines the most important music movements. Scenes thrive when bands support each other, share audiences, and build the momentum together.

Photo by: Michael Arroyo

Alternative Sounds in 2026

If you’ve been paying attention over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed something interesting: alternative rock is having a moment again.

After a long stretch where mainstream attention drifted toward other genres, alternative music seems to be roaring back with renewed energy. Bands like Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., and Joyce Manor have helped push the genre forward while inspiring a new generation of artists.

Polanco sees it happening too.

“Alternative music somehow lost its charm for a few years but it feels like it’s back,” he said. “Nothing is corny about it either, everyone in the scene is doing it for the love of music.”

But the landscape for bands today looks very different from what it did even a decade ago. Social media has become one of the primary ways people discover music. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram can send a song viral overnight.

That exposure is powerful, but it comes with new expectations. Bands now have to take on the job of content creators, something that bands from back in the day never had to do. Could you imagine Kurt Cobain having to post his own content? Yeah, I didn’t think so. 

“We don’t really give in to what other bands are doing content wise,” Polanco explained. “We just post videos of us playing our music.”

For Willowake, authenticity still matters more than chasing silly algorithms. Still, the reality of modern music promotion is impossible to ignore.

“Social media is part of our job, which kind of sucks,” Polanco admitted with a laugh. “But hey, that’s the name of the game now.”

It’s a balancing act many bands are still figuring out: staying visible online while keeping the focus on the music itself.

What Lies Ahead

Despite all the changes in the industry, one thing hasn’t changed at all—the power of a great tune.

These three dudes are very talented musicians, and let’s face it—that’s hard to come by these days. Their music carries real intensity, and it’s authentic. Polanco’s voice is incredible and distinctive, Gavin’s bass playing is sharp and on point, and Dax beats the living shit out of his drums, which is very fun to watch. Everything about the band right now points toward a major breakout moment.

Their next step arrives on April 10, 2026, when Willowake releases their new EP, Having Bad Dreams. Alongside the new record, the band will also be hitting the road for a headlining tour across California. If the momentum they’ve already built is any indication, these gigs may not stay small for long.

In other words, this band is on the come-up in a very real way. And if things keep moving the way they are now, it won’t be long before the rest of the world knows their names.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

4.25.26 - SAN DIEGO @ VOODOO ROOM

4.30.26 - LOS ANGELES @ THE ECHO

5.1.26 - REDONDO BEACH @ BEACHLIFE FEST

5.2.26 - SAN FRANCISCO @ BRICK & MORTAR

5.7.26 - SANTA ANA @ CONSTELLATION ROOM