Iggy Pop endorses Detroit band Protomartyr ahead of new album and tour
Punk pioneer Iggy Pop has authored a high-profile endorsement for Detroit quartet Protomartyr, amplifying the independent band's new album release ahead of a transatlantic tour.
Detroit rock band Protomartyr has enlisted punk pioneer Iggy Pop to announce their forthcoming album, Hotel Usona. The record is scheduled for release on September 25 through the independent label Domino.
In a written statement, Pop offered a sprawling assessment of the group, comparing their artistic ambition to a religious sacrifice. "A person or persons who want to be part of something beautiful and interesting, with the understanding that you may pay a price for that... Kind of like Jesus," he wrote.
The musician described the new record as highly thematic and symphonic, drawing comparisons to Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde. He noted the sound is modal and chromatic, likening it to "Celtic war horns" in a forgotten battle.
The quartet, comprising Joe Casey, Alex Leonard, Scott Davidson, and Greg Ahee, recorded the nine-track project with producer Dave Fridmann. The rollout includes a hibachi-themed music video for the lead single, Sounds We Cannot Hear.
Pop specifically praised Casey’s vocal delivery and the band's technical proficiency. He highlighted a moment on the record where Casey announces, "We got a bad review," before the band erupts. Pop noted the relatability of the sentiment across all professions, "right up to Influencers."
For the European cultural sector, the release represents a notable transatlantic export of independent American rock. Protomartyr will support the album this autumn with a tour spanning North America and Europe, generating revenue for continental venues and promoters in the live music market.
The high-profile backing also highlights the enduring commercial strategy of independent labels like Domino, which rely on artist longevity rather than fleeting viral trends. Pop characterized the band as a "slow growth item" steadily accumulating respect and a dedicated audience over time.
Hotel Usona features nine tracks, including The Old Hotel, Converts, and Third Country. The project follows their previous album, Formal Growth in the Desert, cementing their position within the European and global independent music circuit.
