Inner Wave

Inner Wave originated in Gardena, California, founded by childhood friends Pablo Sotelo (lead vocalist, guitarist), Jean Pierre Narvaez (bassist, vocalist), and Elijah Trujillo (guitarist). The trio began making music in their teenage years in a converted garage recording studio they named The Swamp, initially playing Christian rock before evolving into the indie-rock genre. Over 15 years, their musical style further developed to explore psych-pop and synthwave. This early dedication to their craft, marked by daily practice sessions, established a foundational discipline that continues to influence their work.

The band expanded with the addition of Luis Portillo as drummer in 2017 and Jose Cruz as keyboardist and sound engineer in 2020, solidifying their current quintet formation. Following a series of self-released EPs, they released their first album, “III,” in 2013, which included the hit “American Spirits.” Further success came with “Eclipse” from their 2017 album “Underwater Pipe Dreams.” The band demonstrated resilience and adaptability during the pandemic, which, despite initial setbacks including canceled tours and members contracting COVID-19, led to a period of regrouping and refocusing. This challenging period culminated in the creation of their fourth studio album, “Apoptosis,” released in 2021. The album’s title, a biological term for controlled cell death leading to new growth, reflected their experience of overcoming hardships to achieve renewed artistic vitality.

Inner Wave embarked on their first North American Tour in 2022 following the release of “Apoptosis.” In the same year, they expanded their reach by opening for Boy Pablo’s European Tour and performing at notable festivals including Coachella, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Pickathon, and Desert Daze. From October to December 2022, they joined FOALS on their “Life Is Yours Tour,” playing at venues such as the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles and Terminal 5 in New York. In 2023, Inner Wave launched their headline Jukebox Tour, including hometown performances at The Novo in Los Angeles and the Fox Theater in Pomona. The band is preparing for an upcoming album, “See you when I get back,” slated for 2026, and released “Apoptosis Remixes” in 2024, featuring various artists.