Myka Relocate

Originating in Houston, the metalcore unit Myka, Relocate crafted an individual approach that switches between sugary, pop-tinged melodies and rough, grating shouts while weaving electronic touches into the guitar-and-drum barrage and achieving greater tunefulness than most contemporaries without diluting the songs' impact. The ensemble assembled in Louisville, Kentucky in 2007 when guitarists Austin Dore and Josh Peltier joined bassist Luke Burleigh and drummer Sam Albarado. Early local traction in their home city and a devoted following in Lafayette, Louisiana gave way to sharper prospects in 2010 after the move to Houston, Texas brought in the contrasting voices of Michael Swank on clean vocals and John Ritter on screams. The vocal alternation supplied a distinctive character, and Austin Dore's addition of electronics helped expand their reach through relentless touring. Sam Albarado exited in 2013, with Aaron Robertson taking over drums; the same year the band secured a deal with Artery Recordings, distributed via Razor & Tie, and tracked material under producer Cameron Mizell. Their opening album, Lies to Light the Way, arrived in October 2013. Extensive touring followed, after which they returned to the studio in 2015 to shape the next release. That effort, The Young Souls, surfaced in October 2015.