About Joel Cusumano

Songwriter and guitarist Joel Cusumano is a seasoned veteran of the Bay Area underground scene as the guitarist and collaborator in a wide-ranging lineup of bands such as R.E. Seraphin, Cocktails, and Body Double. His punk-infused power pop displays a confident balance of ironic, literate, emotionally penetrating lyrics with buoyant, sharply catchy melodies — as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of left-of-the-dial college rock and punk like Silver Jews, The Replacements, The Adverts, and Pavement. MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL said of Cusumano’s 2025 debut album Waxworld, “This is towering power pop that is still utterly human,“ while Shindig! Magazine called the album “a vibrant power pop statement marked by sharp lyricism and melodic finesse.”

Waxworld features contributions from Cusumano’s friends from bands such as Chime School, Yea-Ming and The Rumours, Ryli, The Telephone Numbers, The Mantles, Neutrals, and White Rabbits. A month-long European tour and followup EP – recorded with his bandmates Julie Barwick, Brett Eastman, Ella Keilt, and Owen Kelley – are planned for Fall 2026.