Your New Favorite Indie Band (Nautics) Dropped A Single on Valentines Day...

Photography by BAILEY BLAKE

Photo Production Assistants: AVA SHARAHY & SHAWN MOU

In case you missed it… Nautics, your soon-to-be favorite indie band, dropped their Valentine’s Day single “BBYGRL” a couple of weeks ago. Haven't listened yet? Better late than never. 

Hailing from New York, Nautics features Kenzo Repola (vocals, guitar), Van Cameron (bass), Kitt Flamer-Caldera (guitar), and Levitt Yaffe (drums). Their musical journey started at the age of 16 as they developed their own sound in the city's vibrant music scene.

Drawing from post-pop punk revival, indie rock, alternative, and psychedelic rock, Nautics weave these influences into a sound that feels both familiar and uniquely their own. Rather than drawing from specific artists, their music reflects the genres they naturally gravitate toward, evolving based on the songs they create.

While it dropped on Valentine's Day, “BBYGRL” isn’t your typical love song, as it leans into the complexities of romance with a unique chorus of voices adding a personal layer to the track.

“I think there are a lot of themes of love and all the good and bad feelings that come with it. There are a lot of thematic connections with love, especially with the chorus of women we got to share stories of either heartbreak, or disappointment with men in their lives. Also this song is more for the people who may have confused feelings around the holiday, as I’m sure everyone has at one point in their life.” Repola tells Uptight.

Flamer-Caldera adds “I think it serves as a way of acknowledging life’s imperfections and failures when it comes to romance.  It’s not a happy-go-lucky love song but it’s also not bashing the concept of love either.  Instead it just describes a more everyday situation, which I think a lot of people will relate to.  And when we got the cacophony of women’s voices onto there, it was the icing on the cake really.  The real world crashing in, if you will.”

While “BBYGRL” carries a conversational tone, its lyrics dig into something deeper. 

“Lyrically, the concept for the song is sort of this apologetic character, that's both self-aware and not at the same time. It's kinda a song about mansplaining, from someone mansplaining mansplaining. The song was missing something for the longest time, but one day I got the idea of having my closest girl friends in the many different NYC scenes share stories of men who have either fucked them over or misstreated them. We were able to weave them into the fabric of the song and I think it frames the concept a lot more clearly.” Repola says. 

Beyond the lyrics, “BBYGRL” came together naturally in the studio, built around a strong rhythmic foundation. 

“Levitt had this really cool drum beat.” Cameron adds. “And we added layers as we went. I think the first time we played it live was at an empty show at the Silver Linings Lounge. Maybe, like, four people heard it.”

For Flamer-Caldera, the song is tied to a specific moment in Nautics’ creative evolution.

“This song always brings me back to a very fertile period for Nautics’ songwriting, one winter ago,” he reflects. “It always felt like a cousin of “I Don’t Really Like Boys” because we always practiced both songs together. Short, peppy songs that deliver a lot of punch. It allowed me to really play around with single-note riffs and not overcook anything.”

“BBYGRL” is upbeat without being forced, the kind of song you can nod along to or even dance to, but it’s not demanding you to. The guitars stand out the most with a catchy, familiar indie rock feel. Vocally, there’s a casual, effortless delivery. Repola is not overdoing it, but it works because the song doesn’t need anything more. It’s got energy, but it’s not in-your-face about it, matching the reflectiveness of the lyrics. 

That balance of punchy instrumentation and laid-back delivery also makes “BBYGRL” an interesting piece in the larger picture of Nautics’ evolving sound.

“It’s hard to tell (how the track fits into the discography) because we have been working on our “new sound” sort of in secret for a while,” Repola explains. “So I think it will sound a little more fresh for new ears, but it is certainly in line with some of the poppier soundscapes of our current aura.”

“BBYGRL” isn’t just a one-off, it’s the second single from Nautics’ upcoming EP, following their song “Running.” Both tracks offer a glimpse into the band’s evolving sound and what’s to come on the larger project.

Cameron sees “BBYGRL” as a bridge between their different styles, adding, “It’s got more pop sensibilities than the rest of the EP. I think it bridges the gap between our more ‘band songs’ and the more pop songs we make.”

Flamer-Caldera notes that while the song has evolved in production, that shift ultimately helped it settle into their sonic world.

“Production-wise, it actually sounds a lot different from how I first envisioned it,” he says. “Initially, it was one of the rare instances in which I hoped a song would sound exactly the same way it did in the rehearsal studio. But in the end, it sounds much more modern, and I think that’s the best way for it to fit into the current landscape.”

Beyond sonics, though, the track represents one of the key values shaping their approach right now.

“I think the biggest thing is that we got to collaborate with people within our community, in both the external voices on our track as well as the production by Jasper Harris (Quarters of Change). He's been a great collaborator and we are excited to have a larger project be guided by that collaboration. Community is something we are holding onto a lot more these days,” Repola shares.

For Nautics, the past year has been about growing their creative circle along with their audience.

“I think we have grown as people as well, and I think the biggest reward is that we have people on our side,” Repola shares. “Not only has the team of people we like to collaborate with grown, but the people who have been following us on this journey, coming out to shows and supporting us, have been so exciting and inspiring.”

Cameron adds “It’s really cool getting to meet with people who connect with us as a band. Anyone who’s like hey I liked that song kind of drowns out any challenge.”  

Flamer-Caldera has found similar rewards, and some challenges as well. “The most rewarding part is our sheer power as a live band, show after show, and the responses we get.  The hardest part for me is trying to be less of a control freak in the studio and letting the producer have more of a say.” 

With “BBYGRL”, Nautics continue to shape their identity through bold, dynamic songwriting. And for those drawn in by the track, there’s more where that came from.

“Running” is the other song connected to the EP that’s out, but “I Don’t Really Like Boys” is probably just as in-line sonically and lyrically,” Repola states.

It’s a fitting suggestion; like “BBYGRL,” “I Don’t Really Like Boys” thrives on attitude and sharp lyricism, showcasing the band’s knack for turning raw emotion into something cathartic and deeply fun.

When asked to describe Nautics’ sound in three words for the Uptight audience, the band responded in true Nautics fashion. “Very fun time,” said Kenzo. “Could be ska,” Van added. And from Kitt: “Slutty (can I say that?).”

As for what’s next, Nautics are keeping things vague: “Something in March, something in April.” But with their growing presence and a new EP on the way, it’s safe to say there’s more to look forward to. Keep up with them on Instagram (@Official__Nautics) to see what’s coming next.