Big Stir Records is proud to introduce to the global pop airwaves our very own supergroup: THE ELECTROMAGNATES. They debut with a very special standalone single saluting an institution dear to the freshly-minted collective's hearts (and ours at BSR as well): independent radio. “Airwave Hello” brings together key members of THE SPONGETONES and SPYGENIUS with solo stars CHRIS CHURCH and DOLPH CHANEY for a track that sings the praises of those who play the music they make and the music they love.

THE ELECTROMAGNATES are a band formed by four Big Stir Records artists – project originator STEVE STOECKEL of THE SPONGETONES, solo artists CHRIS CHURCH and DOLPH CHANEY, and PETER WATTS of SPYGENIUS -- for one song and one purpose: to celebrate DJs, the folks who spend hours putting together songs and streaming them out, often weekly. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hearing “your song” on the radio, whether it’s a tune you’ve written or a personal favorite, old or new. “Airwave Hello” is dedicated to that idea, from the first verse “I wanna hear my song again!” to the end – a nice bit of jangle pop, guitar-driven and sung by all four.

And who are the four indie-pop superstars making up THE ELECTROMAGNATES? Suffice it to say that they will be no strangers to the DJs they're saluting on “Airwave Hello”, nor the listeners worldwide who tune in to them weekly. They hail from such diverse locations as the Carolinas, the UK, and Chicagoland, and they're brought together by the simple love of a good tune on the radio. To call them out one by one:

DOLPH CHANEY has been writing, recording, and producing his signature brand of pop music since 1987. His first Big Stir Records release REBUILDING PERMIT in 2020 was a breakthrough album, garnering great reviews. Chaney began collaborating with others, including producer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Bertling, resulting in THIS IS DOLPH CHANEY (2021), again to great response. His latest album MUG was released in 2023 and appeared on many of the year’s critical “Best of” lists.

CHRIS CHURCH has been making original music for over 30 years, releasing 12 solo albums. Many of his releases have topped countless critics' “Year's Best” lists, including GAME DIRT in 2021, DARLING PLEASE in 2022 and last year’s RADIO TRANSIENT, all on Big Stir Records.

STEVE STOECKEL is a founding and current member of Power Pop Hall Of Famers THE SPONGETONES, a legendary band with 12 album releases over a 40-year history. He’s also recorded 6 albums with fellow Spongetone Jamie Hoover and three albums with Pop Co-Op. He released his first solo album THE POWER OF AND to great acclaim on Big Stir Records in 2023. He's working with THE SPONGETONES on their label debut as well.

PETER WATTS is a member of SPYGENIUS, another Big Stir Records artist. A classic British four-piece pop-combo based in Canterbury and South London, composed of Watts (frontman and guitar), Ruth Rogers (bass), Matt Byrne (keys) and Alan Cannings (drums), they have released seven albums from 2008, including JOBBERNOWL (2022), SPYGENIUS BLOW THEIR COVERS (2021) and their label bow 'PACÉPHALE which made BSR an international concern as the imprint's first UK release.

The Electromagnates needed a drummer and mixing engineer, and the obvious choice was NICK BERTLING, who is both a recording artist and producer. A multi-instrumentalist, he’s performed with several Baltimore-based bands and solo acts, most notably Andy Bopp and Chicago- based Airiel. He records and mixes at his studio bertling noise laboratories.