The Armoires aren’t just a band—they’re storytellers, explorers, and curators of connection. On The Sophie Martin Show for NEWHD Radio, co-founders Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome discussed the band’s latest chapter, including their acclaimed album Octoberland, their haunting new single Full-On Witch Mode, and their work as co-founders of Big Stir Records, one of indie pop’s most respected artist-driven labels.
The Spirit of “Octoberland
Octoberland, the Armoires’ fourth album, is steeped in the hues and moods of autumn. “It’s got a very autumnal feeling,” said Broome. “It’s really focused on empathy and community—people striving to understand each other.”
Bulbenko added, “There’s a collective sense that we like to put forward from the band, a ‘we’ perspective that feels welcoming to the listener.”
That “we” is more than a lyrical device. It reflects the duo’s distinctive approach—two voices blending in near-perfect unison, so much so that even devoted fans sometimes can’t tell who’s singing lead. “We realized that ambiguity could become part of the storytelling,” said Broome. “So we leaned into it. Every song is from a shared voice.”
From “Octoberland” to “Full-On Witch Mode”
Their latest single, Full-On Witch Mode, deepens the band’s fascination with mysticism and connection. It’s a stand-alone track featured on Big Stir Records’ Halloween compilation Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies. “It continues a lot of the themes from Octoberland,” Bulbenko explained. “There’s a mystical, almost witchy energy, but it’s really about people connecting across the veil—metaphorically, emotionally, spiritually.”
That balance of darkness and light has become an Armoires hallmark. “We go a little deeper each time,” said Broome. “We’re always exploring that line between the real and the dreamlike.”
Finding Their Sound
The Armoires’ music blends influences ranging from The Mamas & the Papas to The New Pornographers and The Velvet Underground, yet it always sounds distinctly their own. “After ten or eleven years together, the band seems to have its own voice,” Broome said. “Our harmonies, the 12-string guitar, the viola—those elements define our sound.”
Bulbenko agreed: “Even when we cover other artists, it ends up sounding like The Armoires. That’s when you know you’ve found your identity.”
Big Stir Records: A Label with Heart
Running a record label while making music is no small feat. For Bulbenko and Broome, Big Stir Records began as an extension of the same values that guide their songwriting—community, empathy, and mutual support.
“It’s a full-time job and then some,” Broome laughed. “But the artists we work with know they’re talking to fellow musicians, not executives. We’re artist-centric.”
Big Stir’s family includes acts like Librarians with Hickeys, SparkleJets U.K.*, Splitsville, and even psychedelic legends Strawberry Alarm Clock. The Halloween compilation featuring Full-On Witch Mode also unites The Armoires with artists such as Graham Parker and Corner Laughers. “It’s a celebration of collaboration,” said Bulbenko. “Everyone dove in completely. It’s what we love most—community through creativity.”
Experimenting with Sound
Though rooted in classic harmony-pop, The Armoires aren’t afraid of experimentation. Their arsenal has expanded to include everything from steel guitar and mandolin to electronic textures and even an Omnichord, a quirky 1980s electronic autoharp. “We’re careful not to lose our central sound,” said Broome, “but we’re always curious about what new textures can add to it.”
Empathy, Myth, and Meaning
At the heart of every Armoires song is a message of empathy and shared humanity. “We want listeners to feel togetherness,” Bulbenko said. “To find friendship and understanding across all walks of life.”
Rather than preach, the band builds meaning through story and metaphor. “We pull on mythological and literary imagery,” Broome added. “We want our songs to open doors to a more compassionate world.”
Looking Ahead
Full-On Witch Mode marks the beginning of the band’s next chapter. The song emerged from the same creative sessions that will likely shape their fifth studio album. “It wasn’t originally conceived as a Halloween track,” said Broome, “but as an extension of Octoberland. We realized it fit perfectly within that universe.”
Bulbenko revealed that the next album will follow a similar creative rhythm. “We like to write all the songs together over a short, intense period,” she said. “Each song informs the next until the album feels like one story.”
If all goes according to plan, fans can expect a new Armoires record by 2026 or 2027—a continuation of the lush, literary, and heartfelt world the band has been crafting for more than a decade.
As the interview closed, Sophie Martin summed it up best: “The Armoires invite us into new worlds while staying grounded in timeless melodies and heartfelt messages.”
