The Whips return with new music

Kansas City’s The Whips are living proof that a viral moment can become something much deeper, that the spark of internet fame doesn’t have to burn out, it can ignite a genuine community. Known for their explosive call-and-response solo battles and left-field funk covers that took TikTok and Instagram by storm, the band first caught attention in the most modern of ways, through off-the-cuff clips filmed between college classes. One casual upload hit a million views overnight, another soared past five million, but behind the screen was something more enduring, four friends with a shared love for making music.

The group’s origins trace back to a Kansas City school bus, where bassist Quinn Cosgrove and drummer Miles Patterson decided to start a band. They were soon joined by guitarist and songwriter Max Indiveri, whose melodic style added new colour to the group’s developing sound. When a late-night Instagram search led them to Max Cooper, a leading vocalist and keyboardist whose four-chair turn on The Voice as part of Team Michael Bublé had earned him national attention, The Whips’ lineup clicked into place. Together, they’ve found a balance between intricate songwriting and playful performance, skill and spontaneity, humour and heart.

Their first musical stpes with a handful of internet clips has now become something tangible and the fans who first found them online now show up in real life, packing clubs, singing along and hanging after shows like it’s a reunion with old friends. The Whips might have been born in the digital era, but their output feels thoroughly analogue, based in connection, creativity and the joy of simply making noise together.

Their latest single titled “Together in Agony” captures that ethos perfectly; penned by Max Indiveri and recorded in their bedroom studio, the track arrives with emotional impact via a slow burn that wrestles with the ache of a relationship that’s breaking apart but not yet broken. “It’s about the kind of relationship you know is ending, but you’re still in it because you’re scared to start over,” Max shares. The song builds from quiet reflection of delicate piano-led arrangement to anthemic aesthetic, stacking Max Cooper’s expressive vocals over shimmering guitars and swelling rhythms that mirror the ups and downs of love and loss.

Released through Midtopia, Wichita’s independent label championing emerging Midwestern artists, “Together in Agony” marks the start of a new chapter for The Whips that leans fully into honesty and creative independence. Their upcoming material will form part of Midtopia’s Buy Before You Stream initiative, giving fans a physical connection to the music before it hits digital platforms, an apt move for a band that values genuine connection with listeners.

Live, The Whips’ chemistry is unforgettable and from Chicago to Nashville, their shows feel like communal experiences, taking shape as a celebration of imperfection and joy. While the internet may have introduced them, it’s their musicianship and emotional candour that have kept people listening and with “Together in Agony” and more music on the way, The Whips continue to go from strength to strength as a modern rock band on the rise.

Watch the music video for Together in Agony below

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