TRUSS Strikes a Chord with Fluorescence and a Fierce DIY Ethic

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

The rise of TRUSS is more than a pandemic-era success story—it’s a masterclass in creative persistence and raw emotional authenticity. The Cleveland-based alt-rock trio, known for their fierce stage presence and potent songwriting, is gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album Fluorescence on June 6. Led by powerhouse vocalist Hannah Crandall, guitarist/bassist Eric Kennedy, and drummer Holden Szalek, TRUSS fuses grunge, alt-metal, and punk with unfiltered honesty.

Their new single Numb sets the tone for what promises to be an emotionally charged and musically expansive album. “I actually wrote the lyrics to Numb years ago,” Hannah shares. “It came out of an existential crisis—post-college, during the pandemic. I was stuck between what I was told I should be doing and what I actually wanted. It became this anthem for emotional paralysis and breaking free.”

Despite its dark origins, Numb is undeniably cathartic—an anthem of reclaiming direction in a chaotic world. The track exemplifies what makes Fluorescence compelling: personal storytelling wrapped in soaring melodies and aggressive instrumentation, recorded and produced entirely by the band themselves. “This entire project was DIY,” Eric explains. “We wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered everything in our homes. It’s as hands-on and personal as it gets.”

For TRUSS, musical chemistry is born from contrast. Hannah’s earliest influences were Disney Channel icons and female rock vocalists like Pat Benatar and Ann Wilson. “I didn’t have a rock background growing up, but once I found bands like L7 and Heart, something clicked,” she says. “There’s a rawness to female-led rock that I fell in love with.” Eric, by contrast, grew up surrounded by classic vinyl, courtesy of his parents. “My dad had great taste—everything from AC/DC to Linkin Park. I started on bass, picked up guitar, and never looked back.”

Their songwriting process is equal parts structured and intuitive. Riffs, lyrics, and melodies often come from spontaneous moments—whether it's a line scribbled mid-shower or a riff discovered during a late-night strumming session. “Sometimes I’ll come up with a full guitar idea and see what melody Hannah hears in it,” Eric says. “Other times she’ll have lyrics and I’ll work around that. Holden brings it all together with production direction—he’s like the architect of our sound.”

That sonic architecture is on full display in Fluorescence, which explores themes of grief, directionlessness, heartbreak, and rediscovery. Songs like HEAVY and Tell Me Something reflect emotional snapshots from Hannah’s turbulent 2024. “It wasn’t an easy year,” she says candidly. “This record was my way of processing it all.”

TRUSS is no stranger to the stage, having played alongside national acts like Anberlin, Everclear, and Dead Poet Society. Their upcoming summer tour is set to include a homecoming album release show at Cleveland’s iconic Grog Shop, plus performances across Ohio, Toronto, and even the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in August.

Their rise has been steady and grassroots, powered by an unshakable belief in their own voice—and each other. “There’s no label, no big studio—just us,” Eric says. “But that’s also our strength. Every lyric, every riff, every mix—it's all 100 percent TRUSS.”

Fluorescence is now available for pre-save, and Numb is streaming on all major platforms. For tour dates, merch, and more, visit www.trussband.com.

🎧 Don’t miss the full unedited, behind-the-scenes interview with TRUSS on the Savoir Faire Audio Experience.