Brand new single from The Whips

Kansas City’s The Whips are a band that prove virality can last longer than a short moment, that the spark of a million views can ignite something far more enduring. They started as a few friends filming playful, off-the-cuff jam sessions between college classes and now stand as one of the most exciting new acts in American indie rock. Known for their explosive call-and-response solo battles and offbeat funk covers that tore through TikTok and Instagram, The Whips have turned internet fame into something solid and soulful, a real band with real songs and a community that shows up not just online, but in person.

Bassist Quinn Cosgrove and drummer Miles Patterson were just sixth graders in Kansas City when they decided to start a band on the school bus home. It was an idea that stuck and as the two grew up, so did their sound, expanding when guitarist and songwriter Max Indiveri joined, bringing melodic ideas and an instinct for emotional storytelling. The final piece fell into place when an Instagram search led them to Max Cooper, a talented vocalist and keyboardist whose four-chair turn on The Voice as part of Team Michael Bublé earned him national recognition.

Those early viral moments of millions of views and unexpected attention could’ve easily defined them, but The Whips used that momentum to build something organic. The fans who discovered them through social media now pack out their live shows, singing along to every word and hanging around afterward like old friends.

Now, The Whips are entering their defining era with From Kansas, With Love, an EP that captures the energy and emotional recalibration of life in your mid-twenties. Set to drop through Wichita’s independent label Midtopia, the record will first land as a limited-edition vinyl exclusive via the Buy Before You Stream initiative on February 3rd, with a full digital release following on March 6th.

Their brand new single titled “Tired of Pretending” serves up a stunning preview of the release with a shimmering dose of honest lyrics, tight musicianship and a sense of intimacy that makes every line feel like a conversation you’ve had before. It’s a clear-eyed take on the half-relationships so many people drift into in their twenties, that space between comfort and disillusionment. Flowing with breezy groove, pulsing bass and bouncy piano backing, Max’s expressive vocals dance above to delivery fluttering melodic leads, resulting in a truly charming funk-infused indie pop jam.

Recorded in the band’s bedroom studio, From Kansas, With Love is set to deliver a personal snapshot of a group finding their footing. Live drums were cut in a larger room, but everything else was done at their own pace, with no deadlines and no external pressure. Thematically, the EP looks at love, friendship, and self-understanding through the lens of young adulthood, all wrapped up in their recognisable sound that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Listen to Tired of Pretending below

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