Empty Space

Liz Mauritz (vocals) leads the energetic firestorm, rounded out by Zach Duarte (guitar), Ryan Rivas (bass), and Mike Britz(drums). Crisp guitars, upbeat drums and dynamic vocals entertain your ears, while Liz’s honest and raw lyrics get to your gut. The frontwoman is open about her struggles with anxiety, self-harm and panic disorder, an overarching theme in Gold Steps’ catalogue. “I know what it’s like to hurt, to feel alone, to want to give up in a moment of darkness; if we can make one person feel understood and less alone, we have been successful.”

The ups and downs of mental health burst and bloom on Gold Steps’ 2018 release, Incandescent. Liz explains, “these songs reflect my mental state at different points of my life in the last year: fiercely refusing to give up in the face of adversity; struggling with my sense of purpose outside the band; and glimpses of hope that I was ‘getting better,’ just to knock myself out again with self-esteem issues.” Tracked at Overcast Recordings and produced by Rick King of King Sound, the EP showcases the band’s strengths, with bright leads and fill-heavy drums supporting the vocalist’s dynamic range. Incandescent also explores the pain of those observing a loved one struggle with their mental health; closing track “Manic To Panic” expresses the exasperating desire to understand, while reassuring “we’ll get through it again.”