Acoustic Punk Duo BITTERS AND DISTRACTIONS Release New Single “The Threads”
Long Island, NY Acoustic Punk Duo Bitters and Distractions Release New Single “The Threads” on Sell The Heart Records
Band Playing The Fest in Gainesville, FL on October 26
Long Island, NY — Acoustic punk duo Bitters and Distractions have released their new single, “The Threads,” via Berkeley-based independent label Sell The Heart Records.
Hailing from Long Island, NY, Bitters and Distractions—comprised of Jeremy Quitko and Travis Johnides—channel the energy and urgency of punk rock through stripped-down, acoustic-driven arrangements. While the instrumentation may be minimal, the emotional weight is anything but. Punk as Folk described their sound as: “This is punk proper, just done with acoustic guitars.”
“The Threads” captures the tension between striving for a meaningful future and grappling with the fleeting nature of time. The lyrics reflect resilience—“spread our wings and stretch our legs”—while also embracing nostalgia and the imperfections of life, summed up in the refrain: “that’s why we can’t have nice things.”
The duo explains:
“The song is a bittersweet toast to the journey, the struggles, and the moments that define us. It’s about holding onto hope while acknowledging the scars along the way.”
Recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered entirely in the duo’s homes, “The Threads” also features guest backing vocals by Natalia Neal, a former student of Jeremy’s.
Bitters and Distractions began as Jeremy’s personal songwriting outlet, drawing from his formative years in Colorado and the loss of a close friend. The project evolved when Travis began composing music to accompany Jeremy’s words, sparking a creative partnership that resonated with listeners and transformed the duo into a fully realized band.
With nine releases to date, the band has earned praise for their unfiltered approach. Bloggin Rotten called them “catchy sing-along jams that will turn your vocal chords to blisters with all your throat shedding singing,” while The Pop Punk Dad raved: “The two have a knack for writing tunes that you want to sing out at 2am while hammered off your ass.”
Backed by Sell The Heart Records, Bitters and Distractions are gearing up for their busiest season yet.
Upcoming Shows
- FEST 23 – Gainesville, FL – Sunday, October 26 @ The Bull (3:40–4:10pm)
- Fest at the Farm – Yaphank, NY – November 15 @ Suffolk County Farm (All-ages punk festival supporting Suffolk County Farm)
While they may wield acoustic guitars, Bitters and Distractions make it clear: they’re a punk band first and foremost. Their stripped-down instrumentation doesn’t soften their sound—it sharpens it, giving their songs a raw, resonant edge across punk’s wide spectrum.
Stream “The Threads”: https://show.co/WvnOPO3
Social Media:
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www.selltheheartrecords.com
Find this and more great music on the Nyrdcast Recommended Music playlist on Spotify.
