DIVER THROUGH is the band name used by veteran songwriter Michael Baynes based out of Brooklyn NYC. The sound of Diver Through is ethereal, dreamy, catchy, indie rock.
Based on a phrase in a poem by a friend, “Diver Through” was first used publicly in 2013 when Michael got a few friends together to record a set of new songs in one night. That session became the “Scattered Days EP” which was the first official Diver Through release (Subluna Records). Michael pursued a more authentic, ethereal, pop-meets-shoegaze band sound.
Prior to Diver Through, Michael was the principal songwriter for a fledgling modern rock band HAVEN in Jacksonville, FL where he received his first taste of airplay on commercial radio as an unsigned artist. Later as an independent solo artist in New York City on Subluna Records, he received airplay on college radio stations across the country - charting on many university playlists. His songs appeared on compilations for CMJ, Magnet Magazine, and 93.3 Planet Radio (Jacksonville, FL/Clear Channel). He played shows from NYC to FL including a BMI songwriter showcase at NYC's The Living Room.
In the years that followed, Michael pursued songwriting in Nashville via NYC. He used that time and experience to be more independent and hands-on in the studio, collaborating with other writers, singers, and musicians while further honing his songwriting chops. He realized that there was a lot he didn’t like about the business of songwriting, and also that validation in songwriting could only come from being himself. In 2018 he released the solo single “Wherever You Are I’m Going” under his own name. In 2019 he refocused on using Diver Through name and released the home demos “Be Enough” and “Go”. In the challenging times of 2020, Diver Through finally wrote and recorded “The Way We Were”, their second full release of new material which included the songs “Last Photo” and the title track “The Way We Were” which were well received at college and independent radio.
ALL NIGHTER is Diver Through’s third release. Contrasting “The Way We Were”, which begins with a Cure-like instrumental, the first sounds on ALL NIGHTER are guitar feedback signaling that this record may be a bit more of an all-night party. ALL NIGHTER showcases a more wide-open band sound with bigger, more uptempo songs. Featuring songs like “To Death”, an atmospheric rocker with a lyrical hook about how we use death as a normal salutation, and “Vials”, a bittersweet grieving journey a person takes spreading vials of her lover’s ashes around the country until they get to the last one. ALL NIGHTER was recorded in a few different places; drums were engineered by Chuck Nash in Jacksonville, FL, and the rest was engineered by MB in NYC. ALL NIGHTER was mixed by Alex Dezen at Sally Studios in LA.
DIVER THROUGH is Michael Baynes (vox/guitars), Mike Rellah (Bass), and Ken Nasta (Drums)
Subluna Records is an independent record label and is part of Diver Through LLC. It was established in 2003.
When DT is not making music - we are probably surfing somewhere around the world or here.
