Indie Rocker Karly Hartzman Blends Grit and Twang on New Album "Bleeds"

In October 2025, the indie rock band Wednesday is set to release their highly anticipated new album "Bleeds." The record, which builds on the success of 2023's "Rat Saw God," features the band's signature sound—a rollicking meld of alternative country and noise rock.

Frontwoman Karly Hartzman draws much of her lyrical inspiration from her own life, including a recent observation from her mother, a social worker, about a "pitbull puppy pissing off a balcony" in a "shitty neighborhood." Hartzman has woven such vivid details into the album, mythologizing the characters and oddities of her Asheville, North Carolina community.

Despite the personal nature of the lyrics, Hartzman and her bandmates faced a unique challenge during the recording process. Shortly before hunkering down in the studio, Hartzman and her longtime musical and romantic partner, MJ Lenderman, had broken up while on tour in Tokyo. The two decided to keep the split a secret from the rest of the band, not wanting to distract from the album's creation.

As Wednesday continues to grow from hometown heroes to a world-touring rock act, Hartzman remains committed to preserving the band's DIY spirit, even as they gain access to prestigious studios and top-dollar equipment. The result is an album that Hartzman describes as "what Wednesday songs are supposed to sound like"—a bold, unapologetic statement of artistic identity.