Freshly Pressed – The Trampoline Delay “The Right Stuff”

Based out of Milton, ON, The Trampoline Delay began as an outlet for Pete Marino, a skilled songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a knack for crafting catchy, dynamic, guitar-driven indie rock tunes. Now The Trampoline Delay has evolved into a full band project, with an album set to drop later this year. With the release of the album’s latest single, “The Right Stuff,” we caught up with frontman and songwriter Pete Marino to chat about the new music, how he got his start, and what his own curated music festival would look like. 

From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “The Right Stuff”.

Pete Marino: “The Right Stuff” dives into the complex theme of love and loss amidst the turbulent journey of life. It’s a raw reflection on how external pressures can wreak havoc on relationships—temptations, the daunting transition into adulthood, and the fear of losing one’s identity all play a role. Sometimes, we find ourselves at a crossroads, torn between making the right decision and succumbing to impulsive choices with lasting repercussions.

At its core, the song delves into the aftermath of a regrettable decision and the need for redemption. However, beyond the surface, it’s an introspective exploration of life’s pressures, the weight of regret, and the awakening to what truly matters. It captures the essence of emotional turmoil and the consequences of acting on fleeting impulses, ultimately leaving scars on all involved.

To be honest, I wrestled with the decision to include ‘The Right Stuff’ on the record, fearing it might veer too close to the realm of poppy love songs. Yet, in the end, I realized I needed to purge and felt I owed it to both myself and the person it was written for. Releasing it in this form felt incredibly cathartic.

From The Strait: What first made you want to be a musician? Was it a song, an artist, or just an undeniable pull to make music?

Pete Marino: My family has a musical background—my dad played in a band, and my grandfather on my mother’s side was a jazz musician. So, there’s definitely some genetic influence at play! Guitars were always lying around the house, although I didn’t really touch them much. One day, my older brother handed me a bass and said he needed a bass player for his high school cover band. I learned “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin and never looked back. I wasn’t into sports and was pretty shy, so music helped shape my identity, giving me a sense of purpose. As cover bands transitioned into original projects, I gradually honed my songwriting skills. While I may not consider myself the strongest musician, I do believe I have a knack for crafting songs.

From The Strait: What’s one album you can’t get enough of right now?

Pete Marino: I just found this band called ‘hey, nothing’ on Instagram. They just released a two-song single “Maine/The Sink”. I guess you can call it folk rock. It’s just really raw and powerful. Reminds me of a mix between The Weakerthans and 90’s era Hayden. You’ve gotta check them out!!

From The Strait: What are some of your non-musical hobbies? 

Pete Marino: This is going to sound cheesy, but I just discovered Pickleball. It’s fun! I like schooling senior citizens!! Who am I kidding… I’m yet to beat anyone!! But seriously, I really have started playing it. In fact, not to bring this back to music, but I also play in a cover band and as a band we’ve been putting the challenge out to other bands that we want to take them on in the court!!! Look for a music festival!!

From The Strait: If you could curate a festival (with you headlining, of course), who would you want on the bill and what would it be called? 

Pete Marino: I’d curate ‘Picklefest’! Throughout the day, bands like The DadBodz, Treble Charger, Limblifter, Sloan, Eric’s Trip, Wet Leg, Alvvays, Slow Pulp, hey, nothing, PACKS, and The Effens would take the stage. For the headliners, we’d set up a unique stage around a Pickleball court, with four bands alternating songs. The crowd would vote on each round, and the top two bands would compete in a Pickleball match to close the show. And who would those headliners be? I’d bring back The Smiths, have Oasis (just because I want a John McEnroe paddle smashing vibe on the court), the Foo Fighters, and, naturally, The Trampoline Delay, be the headliners!

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Check out “The Right Stuff,” the latest single from The Trampoline Delay – out now on Swear Word Records!

Follow The Trampoline Delay on Facebook & Instagram

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