"Headspin" artwork by Ron Totman (hlfmsr.com)
Today is not just new music Friday — it's my birthday! — so I'm stoked to feature one of my favorite new singles of the year: acclaimed Denver pop-punk outfit Capture This has released their latest track, "Headspin," with an accompanying music video, original art, and will be hosting a meet and greet before their next upcoming show in July.
I spoke with lead singer Leah Drost about their new song, the meaning behind it, the music video, and what they're most excited about this year as a band. Read more for insights from an interview with Drost, to check out the single, and details on where you can both hang out with the band and see them perform this summer!
I spoke with lead singer Leah Drost about their new song, the meaning behind it, the music video, and what they're most excited about this year as a band. Read more for insights from an interview with Drost, to check out the single, and details on where you can both hang out with the band and see them perform this summer!
When I featured Capture This last fall in "Four local Denver artists to add your rotation," I hadn't seen them live yet, but was wildly impressed with their debut EP, Tangled. I finally had the chance to see them live this past April at 7th Circle Music Collective in Denver, with Goalkeeper, Public Figure, and Bury Mia — and what a blast! (Why did I wait so long??)
Think Paramore, combined with whichever pop-punk bands got you dancing around in your living room back in the 2010s. Their music is both defiantly upbeat and will get you moving, while also addressing serious topics — which why I wanted to learn more and speak with Drost about their new single, "Headspin."
Think Paramore, combined with whichever pop-punk bands got you dancing around in your living room back in the 2010s. Their music is both defiantly upbeat and will get you moving, while also addressing serious topics — which why I wanted to learn more and speak with Drost about their new single, "Headspin."
Left to right: Alex Balister, Andrew Wilson, Leah Drost, Zach Brennan
A quick recap: formed in 2021, this Denver-based band consists of the talented and energetic Leah Drost on vocals, a tireless Alex Balister on drums, the high-octane-on-stage Andrew Wilson on guitar and backing vocals, and steadfast Zach Brennan on bass. Since getting started five years ago, band's lineup has changed a bit, but in the past two years it has solidified and is currently comprised of people who are intentional about and committed to their instruments, said Drost.
And it's paid off: Their single, “Halothane Dreams,” won them the KTCL Channel 93.3's Hometown for the Holidays competition in 2024, and at the end of 2025 they joined the 93.3’s Not So Silent Night ticket, with for Wet Leg and Bob Moses, at Mission Ballroom here in Denver. And they're just getting started — this new single "Headspin" is a catchy hint at what's to come, with another EP in the works, and plans for a 2027 tour in progress!
And it's paid off: Their single, “Halothane Dreams,” won them the KTCL Channel 93.3's Hometown for the Holidays competition in 2024, and at the end of 2025 they joined the 93.3’s Not So Silent Night ticket, with for Wet Leg and Bob Moses, at Mission Ballroom here in Denver. And they're just getting started — this new single "Headspin" is a catchy hint at what's to come, with another EP in the works, and plans for a 2027 tour in progress!
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"Headspin" jumps right out of the gate with lush pop-punk rock guitar and drums for days, followed by Drost dropping some of the most relatable lyrics I've heard in a hot minute — noting "it's all in my head," racing thoughts, and feelings of overwhelm. From the bridge to the chorus and back, the concepts of spiraling, burn out, and restlessness are integrated seamlessly into the driving beat, the catchy riffs, and the endless energy all four members bring to this music with an important message.
But when Drost belts out, "why am I restless over nothing that's worth it over time?" ...could she at least gently hold my hand, before holding up the mirror right in front of my face?! Yet despite the mention of second-guessing oneself in this single, there is nothing to regret or redo here — "Headspin" is a passionate, raw, and yet also perfected take on the frustrations of living with anxiety and related mental health struggles, in a world and timeline where simply existing is often a severe source of stress. |
The depth of the sound and harmonies in this track also hits a sweet spot that makes my brain happy — so listen to this with your best pair of headphones, please! Props to the team at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, where "Headspin" was recorded, and then produced, engineered, and mixed by Colton Krohn, and mastered by Jason Livermore.
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Want to hear "Headspin" live? Capture This' next show is with the Idobi Radio Summer School tour on Sunday, July 19, at Summit Music Hall in Denver! It's a packed lineup, also featuring Chase Petra, Winona Fighter, South Arcade, Games We Play, and Honey Revenge. Don't want to miss our local Denverites on stage, but have work on Monday morning? Doors open at 5, and Capture this is on at 6 p.m. Get tickets here.
The band is also hosting a meet and greet at Ratio Beerworks ahead of their next show, on Thursday, July 16 from 7 to 10 p.m.! Join the band for coloring time, board games, giveaways, and a listening party, as well as merchandise purchasing opportunities. Drost describes the evening as "just an all-around of fun time to like connect and hang out with us, and other like-minded music fans." Digging the new single, but not able to come out and see them live? Stream them on Spotify and Apple Music, or purchase "Headspin" and/or their 2025 debut EP Tangled on Bandcamp. |
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I had the chance to speak with Drost about the inspiration behind the band's new track, and am immensely grateful for her sharing it with me. As someone myself who deals with mental health issues, this song is one I am honored to highlight today, and I hope that both the single and its message connect with new listeners in a meaningful way.
TW: This interview discusses serious mental health topics.
What was the inspiration for "Headspin"?
Drost: The inspiration for this song was, I found out I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder as a toddler. And I've grown up with this disorder my entire life, and it's something that's always been an ongoing battle that I've had to navigate. It's one of the most debilitating disorders out there, so I'm very fortunate and grateful that my parents were able to recognize my behaviors and symptoms, and be able to get the bring me to the right people to get that the help and resources that I need. And it's still an ongoing battle, but I do think I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't find out this diagnosis is such a young age.
And so for me, when I was writing a song like this, I wanted to shed a light on the disorder, because I feel like it doesn't really get talked enough about ... but I also wanted to make sure it was ... widely relatable to people ... as far as like anxiety or depression, or mental health in general, and knowing that there's so much more than just the surface layers of what people can see.
TW: This interview discusses serious mental health topics.
What was the inspiration for "Headspin"?
Drost: The inspiration for this song was, I found out I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder as a toddler. And I've grown up with this disorder my entire life, and it's something that's always been an ongoing battle that I've had to navigate. It's one of the most debilitating disorders out there, so I'm very fortunate and grateful that my parents were able to recognize my behaviors and symptoms, and be able to get the bring me to the right people to get that the help and resources that I need. And it's still an ongoing battle, but I do think I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't find out this diagnosis is such a young age.
And so for me, when I was writing a song like this, I wanted to shed a light on the disorder, because I feel like it doesn't really get talked enough about ... but I also wanted to make sure it was ... widely relatable to people ... as far as like anxiety or depression, or mental health in general, and knowing that there's so much more than just the surface layers of what people can see.
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What does this song mean to you and the band?
Drost: I think for this song, but even all of our music in general, it really has helped a lot of us in a therapeutic sense. Even if I'm the one that's writing the lyrics ... each of our band members can relate to it in one way or another. We all have our own personal stories that we can draw from to relate to the song. |
"[...music to us...] it's something we love to do, but it's also our way of healing, too." — Leah Drost, lead singer of Capture This |
For me, personally, it's very therapeutic process of writing something that feels very personal to me, and then ... recording that, and being in my emotions, and experiencing that state of mind. And then going from recording to playing it on stage, and connecting with myself, as well as the other people in the audience who are also relating to it in some way or another... This song in particular, it's a very therapeutic process, but I think also with all of our other songs it's always felt that way, which is why music to us is, it's something we're so passionate about, because it's something we love to do, but it's also our way of healing, too.
What do you hope listeners and fans take away from the song?
Drost: I think for me the biggest thing for listeners to relate is the feeling of anxiety, and know that they're not alone. Anxiety can also mean ... any sort of mental disorder, or something that they're struggling with ... Anxiety is such a commonly used word, right? So on the surface it can look like, "oh, it's just someone being anxious," but in reality it really becomes so much more than that. It can really become detrimental, and it really affects someone's life, because it can create this domino effect that causes you to spiral and crash or burn out, which is actually what's talked about in the lyrics of the song.
As a listener, it's to really help them understand that whatever you're struggling with, whether it's a situation or mental disorder — or in this case, more specifically, the feeling of anxiousness — there's so much more to it than just the surface level. I think that doesn't get talked about [enough], and that's why it's called "Headspin" — you are spiraling on thoughts, or you're having intrusive, compulsive thoughts, and that leads from one thing to another, which can cause you to spiral and burn out.
Drost: I think for me the biggest thing for listeners to relate is the feeling of anxiety, and know that they're not alone. Anxiety can also mean ... any sort of mental disorder, or something that they're struggling with ... Anxiety is such a commonly used word, right? So on the surface it can look like, "oh, it's just someone being anxious," but in reality it really becomes so much more than that. It can really become detrimental, and it really affects someone's life, because it can create this domino effect that causes you to spiral and crash or burn out, which is actually what's talked about in the lyrics of the song.
As a listener, it's to really help them understand that whatever you're struggling with, whether it's a situation or mental disorder — or in this case, more specifically, the feeling of anxiousness — there's so much more to it than just the surface level. I think that doesn't get talked about [enough], and that's why it's called "Headspin" — you are spiraling on thoughts, or you're having intrusive, compulsive thoughts, and that leads from one thing to another, which can cause you to spiral and burn out.
Tell me a bit more about the music video shot at 7th Circle Music Collective — I think I was there!
Drost: We wanted to give back to our fans in a way that was beyond all the other typical stuff that we do, such as like Discord or Tik Tok Lives or Patreon. We sat there as a band, and we thought, what's something that we can do in a very meaningful way to give back to our fans? And so what's interesting about this whole music video concept was, it really wasn't focused so much on the meaning of the song, it was really more geared towards how we can show up for fans — and so that's what gave us the idea of having it shot at the 7th Circle Music Collective, and bringing all of our fans and supporters [together] in a way that we can all be here in this one collective space, to be a part of something that's fun, but also meaningful.
What are you all most excited about for this upcoming summer school show?
Drost: We are the most excited to get to play with bands that we look up to in the pop-punk scene. I think what's really fun is being able to have have bands and artists that have influenced us in one way or another, or just artists that we regularly listen to, and getting to share the stage with all of them. For me in particular, I really love the band Honey Revenge, and ... every time that they've come to Denver, they've always like sold out the show within, it feels like minutes ... and so I've never gotten the chance to see them as a guest! And I think what's funny ... [is now] I get to see them when I'm going to be sharing the stage with them. But I think just speaking for all of us [in the band], it's being able to play with bands and artists that we've always been influenced by in our very well-known staples in the pop pump scene.
Past the upcoming show in July, what other plans does the band hold for this year?
Drost: We have so much exciting stuff! But the two things that I want to focus on is we will be recording an EP album in August in Nashville, and we are all incredibly excited. TBD all on further details.
And we're so, so excited for next year, we're actually working on some potential tours that will be throughout the Midwest and the East Coast. We would love to play the West Coast sometime soon, so hopefully we can get around to that, but for now, we're focusing to get back out on the road and to come see all of our fans, all of our supporters, and get to do what we love.
Drost: We wanted to give back to our fans in a way that was beyond all the other typical stuff that we do, such as like Discord or Tik Tok Lives or Patreon. We sat there as a band, and we thought, what's something that we can do in a very meaningful way to give back to our fans? And so what's interesting about this whole music video concept was, it really wasn't focused so much on the meaning of the song, it was really more geared towards how we can show up for fans — and so that's what gave us the idea of having it shot at the 7th Circle Music Collective, and bringing all of our fans and supporters [together] in a way that we can all be here in this one collective space, to be a part of something that's fun, but also meaningful.
What are you all most excited about for this upcoming summer school show?
Drost: We are the most excited to get to play with bands that we look up to in the pop-punk scene. I think what's really fun is being able to have have bands and artists that have influenced us in one way or another, or just artists that we regularly listen to, and getting to share the stage with all of them. For me in particular, I really love the band Honey Revenge, and ... every time that they've come to Denver, they've always like sold out the show within, it feels like minutes ... and so I've never gotten the chance to see them as a guest! And I think what's funny ... [is now] I get to see them when I'm going to be sharing the stage with them. But I think just speaking for all of us [in the band], it's being able to play with bands and artists that we've always been influenced by in our very well-known staples in the pop pump scene.
Past the upcoming show in July, what other plans does the band hold for this year?
Drost: We have so much exciting stuff! But the two things that I want to focus on is we will be recording an EP album in August in Nashville, and we are all incredibly excited. TBD all on further details.
And we're so, so excited for next year, we're actually working on some potential tours that will be throughout the Midwest and the East Coast. We would love to play the West Coast sometime soon, so hopefully we can get around to that, but for now, we're focusing to get back out on the road and to come see all of our fans, all of our supporters, and get to do what we love.
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