This week, a bright ray of musical sunshine arrives in the form of Jade Ring, the enigmatic Cleveland-based avant-garde multi-instrumentalist. Their debut album Pills (March 15, 2026) is a five-track journey that defies expectations, blending dark metal-rock intensity with cinematic, experimental structures.
The album opens with an enigmatic, almost cinematic introduction—a feminine voice, like a commercial or speech, draws you instantly into Jade Ring’s unique universe. Then comes Brash, a gut-punching metal-rock track with guttural vocals and instruments that awaken hidden emotions. The rest of the album twists through unexpected shifts, long-form tracks, and eclectic styles, showcasing a creative freedom that feels unstoppable. By the final track, the circle closes, with Jade Ring offering thanks as if the curtain had fallen on a live show—and all you want to say is: thank YOU.
We had the chance to interview Jade Ring to dig deeper into this enigma. Behind the balaclava lies an artist passionately opposed to AI-generated music, committed to analog, human-driven creativity. Every sound, every scream, every moment on Pills is performed by Jade Ring personally—a raw statement in an era of automation.
Pills is a bold start to your week—a musical discovery that surprises, challenges, and delights. Press play and read our conversation with him below:
Welcome to our redaction! Tell us who you are?
My name is Jade Ring and I’m a multi disciplined, anti-AI artist from Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Though Jade Ring is my latest project at only about six months old, I’ve been performing music for 24 years with varying levels of success in the states. I put a major emphasis on the visual elements as much as the musical elements because I see & hear the world in color. I am heavily influenced by my travels and you’ll hear that on my album PILLS.
How did you start to make music and how would you describe your sound?
Over the years I’ve written about many different personal subjects but this album is the most personal yet. I watched an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver about generative AI bands and it made me furious. Thats when I started wearing a mask to hide my identity and went to Atlanta, Georgia to write PILLS while secluded in a hotel room. I wrote the album to show the creativity of the human mind and then when writing the lyrics I channeled my personal conflict with the American pharmaceutical industry. I am a 12 year recovering alcoholic and turned to prescription medications during Covid. I was prescribed my first anti depressants in the 1990s but avoided them until 2022. Since then I’ve struggled with understanding am I the same person I was before the medication? How have I changed? Is it better or worse? My withdrawal symptoms also were so painful that I needed to find a way to talk about it so I channeled it into music. This is my therapy. I’m also very political & I touch on many themes of what’s currently happening in America. I am incredibly sad and lost here. Just trying to find my way through it all.
Do you have a specific creative process?
My creative process is highly influenced by David Lynch. Ideas just come to me & I let “happy accidents” in as part of the process. For PILLS I started with a visual idea and then when I wrote the music, it just came to me in a flow state. I wrote the entire album on a Keith Macmillen midi board in Atlanta then flew home to Cleveland Heights and recorded the rest with analog gear. I turned to my engineer friend Chris DiCola at Signal Flow Studios to track my vocals. I didn’t want to be held back by typical music rules, I wanted this music to be the purest version of what’s in my head.
Can you share a few words about your latest release “Pills”?
PILLS is an avant garde, dance punk introspective album. It was written with empathy and care. Its multi genre, combining modern and classic sounds. Admittedly its a bit heavy emotionally but also can be enjoyed using a mind altering substance.
What do you plan for your artistic future?
Honestly, I’d love to make a career in Europe!
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