Autotelic

LAPoCHE is not a band that stands still. Their third full-length album, Autotelic, is not a statement; it’s a practice. Named after the idea of doing something for its own sake, Autotelic is a body of work rooted in presence, persistence, and the sacred mess of becoming. Out January 2026 on Tiny Engines, the record invites listeners to feel more than they understand, to sit inside the ache without needing to fix it. It’s not about outcomes, it’s about the process, the moment, the motion. What began in 2016 as Krista Holly Diem’s solo project has grown into a fully collaborative force, rooted in Brooklyn’s DIY ethos and emotional intelligence. With longtime members Dave Diem (bass), Drew DeMaio (guitar), and new drummer Colin Brooks (Samiam), LAPoCHE explores new sonic terrain on this album. The band trades post-punk sharpness for gothic shimmer, shoegaze drift, and melodic minimalism. Produced by Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, Bloc Party, Death Cab for Cutie) and recorded in Joshua Tree, the record carries a desert stillness and spiritual charge. Much of this emotional clarity comes from lived experience. Krista and Dave, who are married and in long-term sobriety, bring a shared language of healing and presence to their songwriting. That commitment to honesty, mutual care, and showing up without pretense shapes not just the lyrics, but the way the band creates together. Each track offers a different emotional threshold. There is the disorienting softness of “When Are You From,” the cosmic mourning of “The Alien Dove,” and the pulsing mantra of “Autotelic Nosebleed.” The songs don’t seek answers, only presence. The band’s live shows and digital presence remain safe spaces for seekers and survivors alike. LAPoCHE continues to carve space for emotional complexity in indie rock. This album is their clearest, most unflinching offering yet.