INTERVIEW: Cape Crush discuss new song, “Calm & Delivered,” North Shore Music Scene
The North Shore’s very own beloved Cape Crush released the first single from their upcoming debut album, Place Memory, this past January 28th, leading to echoing cheers across the commonwealth of Massachusetts and far beyond. “Calm & Delivered” brings about a familiar feeling of trying to maintain composure amongst an ocean of chaos. The track is essential Cape Crush sound, anthemic emo with the instantly recognizable voice, literal and figurative, of Ali Lipman. Lipman is a pillar in the Boston music community- as a founder of MOON (Music Organizers of the North Shore) and as a valued supporter of many bands, she can often be found in the front row at a show, jumping and singing along. She also plays a big hand in producing the annual Moon over Salem fest, which takes place in September in Salem, MA, across multiple venues. We had the opportunity to discuss community, the upcoming album, and the single a little more in depth with Ali below.
I’d love to hear the story of what got you into local music and what things were different about the scene at the time.
I got into local music like a lot of people, as a youth, going to shows. I was an angsty teen and looking for belonging. Growing up on Cape Ann, I was close to culture in Boston, but also extremely fortunate to be able to access live local music at places like the Fishtown Artspace. I felt a lot of belonging and purpose in the local music scene. Going back and seeing the same bands over and over, you become a familiar face and become familiar with the faces. It was some of my earliest community-building memories. For example, I remember getting a stack of flyers to hang around town for one of my favorite local bands, and even that experience of responsibility, no matter how small, drew me in. It taught me that being part of a local music scene doesn’t just mean performing; it also means showing up to the show as a fan, taking pictures, inviting your friends, writing blog posts, etc. A lot of the people playing in bands were older than me at the time, but they were always kind and encouraging. I’m really grateful for how those early experiences shaped my perception of music and community. A lot of what is different today is the occurrences of spaces like the Fishtown Artspace. They are a challenge to keep funded, and entertainment is so often coupled with a liquor license that seeing an all-ages show is a rarity. Having a space like that inspires a generation of performers, and our communities so often fail to prioritize the needs of the under-21 crowd.
What brought Cape Crush together? When did you guys start practicing?
We started practicing in early 2022. James and I met while playing a show together. I was playing as a solo act, and he was playing in his band Kitner. I was interested in arranging my songs for a full band, and he reached out to me independently to ask if I wanted to work on them with him. After starting to make some progress together, we started practicing with Cody on the drums, and soon after, Jake joined on the bass. It was a combination of the right timing and similar influences that made it work. James infused a lot of big rock arrangements into my songs, which really cemented the direction we took Cape Crush sound-wise.
Who would you consider to be the band’s biggest influences, and has that changed since Cape Crush began?
We are influenced by 90s big guitar emo like the Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, the Weakerthans, and the Anniversary. We joke that our upcoming album, “Place Memory,” sounds most like the power-pop songs on Coheed and Cambria’s “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,” which is a very niche reference but one I fully stand by.
Outside of the band’s influences, were there any artists in particular that inspired you to become a musician?
Absolutely. I’d say Erik Peterson (Mischief Brew) is a huge reason I became a musician. I loved being part of the music scene, and I was a very active member of my high school and college music programs. I studied classical voice, sang art songs in countless languages, was in choruses, and plays. But it was hearing Mischief Brew and really feeling like picking up a guitar was something I could do that made me want to be a songwriter.
I’d love to hear about the background of ‘Calm & Delivered’- it’s such a whirlwind of emotions, it really captures that feeling of rage inside and calmness outside. Was there a moment you realized there was a song for you to extract there?
Thank you! With “Calm & Delivered”, I wanted to explore the idea of female socialization where women are expected to keep cool and not fly off the handle. Even when there is so much to crash out about. It’s one of those cultural injustices that just begs to be written about, and this is just my version of it. Why is an angry man passionate and an angry woman shrill? As a young adult, I thought I could be self-aware and diplomatic while navigating my boundaries, and there’s been a few times where folks wiser than me reminded me that it’s okay to get angry sometimes. “Calm & Delivered” gives a glimpse into a conversation I had with a stranger on a porch-swing about this subject, at a moment when I really needed to hear it. I’m giving her wisdom back to anyone who is afraid of their anger – don’t toe the line. It’s okay to get mad.
You’ve said that ‘Calm & Delivered’ is about your journey as a parent and as a woman. What advice would you give to someone who struggles to mask the stress in an environment where they have to remain calm, in parenting situations, and in situations where you’re having trouble setting boundaries?
“Calm & Delivered” has so much influence from my journey of being a parent, too. Parenthood is so overstimulating, and it really tests you. It can also be very isolating, but we weren’t meant to do it alone. I think a lot of people, myself included, always want to be calm and collected with their children, but knowing when to tap out is a valuable skill. Getting fresh air, tagging in your partner/ a friend/ a family member, is all crucial. I also like to put my stress into perspective, which to me is acknowledging that what I’m actually feeling is fear. But also, be human with your kids. Rehash things. Apologize if you didn’t like your behavior. There’s a lesson in seeing how you react to stress in the moment, and after the moment, too.
What’s the songwriting process like for Cape Crush?
I write our songs on the acoustic guitar before they ever become full-band songs. Usually, I have some idea of how I would like to arrange them, but sometimes I need help putting the memorable details into place. James and I then take the song and demo it at home so we can write additional guitar and vocal parts. We then bring it to practice for the 4 of us to learn and finish arranging. The video for Calm & Delivered is so fun and light-hearted, showcasing the band’s (often) goofy nature.
What was the inspiration for the video?
We worked with Cait Brown on the concept, which was basically that I would drive around picking the band up one by one. We loved the idea of using practical effects like music videos in the 90s, like shirts changing colors. But really, it kind of came together on its own as we shot, just lots of silly ideas that we tried. For example, having our dog Ripley get in the car or seeing Jake and pretending to leave him behind so he had to chase the car.
‘Place Memory’ is out May 1.
How long has it been since you recorded the album, and how does it feel that it’s finally coming out?
We started recording “Place Memory” in the Spring of 2024, so it’s a huge relief to have it finally coming out. The album is being released by Wanna Hear It Records- what drew you to that label? Wanna Hear It Records is Boston’s coolest record store if you love Hardcore/Emo/Punk adjacent genres. “Place Memory” is their second-ever label release, and we’re really proud to be working with a local record store on the release. I think it comes back to our love of community for the band, and working locally feels like the perfect synergy for supporting each other out there. We definitely have some big things coming with them, so make sure to follow Wanna Hear It on socials and stay tuned.
So you’re a co-founder of MOON- and of course, the venue, Moon Base One. That alone is a big undertaking- how do you balance parenting, work-life balance, Cape Crush, and the venue?
I literally do not know. In all seriousness, it is a challenge worth overcoming because you only get to live one life. Moon Base One is volunteer-run, and our board is very respectful of how much energy we are able to give to the organization. I always put my family first, and sometimes that means I pace slower or need to delegate. Cape Crush (almost) never feels like work, and my career is very fulfilling and affords me the flexibility to pursue my passions on top of it. I do feel incredibly busy, but my heart also feels very full. I guess I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Moon Base One is currently facing the threat of being shut down due to a small number of noise complaints. Please consider signing this PETITION to support the venue’s hopes of staying open.
What would you suggest to someone who wants to get more involved with their local scene, but doesn’t know where to start?
To allude to the top of this interview, print a stack of flyers and hang them on telephone poles. I mean this literally, but I also mean it metaphorically. There are so many places to start. For example, you can take videos with your phone and tag the bands, or volunteer to run the door at your local DIY space. Make friends with bands, make friends with people who go to shows. Buy a ticket and show up. Even better, invite a friend. Start a radio show, start a music blog, write a zine. It takes a village to raise a local music scene, and villages need villagers.
You just went on a tour with Blame it on Whitman- while the latter two shows were unfortunately canceled, I’d love to hear about the two shows you did get to play. How were Manchester and Brooklyn?
So good! Blame it on Whitman is one of my favorite local bands, and they just released a new album in August of 2025 that was one of my favorites last year. Getting to see them 2 nights in a row was wonderful, as a fan. In Manchester, we played with Time Eater and Grub Lord, who both put on such fun performances. Bad Brgr is a really cool spot, too. In Brooklyn, we played with Career Day and 300 USD. I’m a huge fans of both of those bands too, and I loved playing at the Broadway. Both shows were really well-attended despite the bitter cold temperatures and incoming storm. I hope we can reschedule the cancelled shows!
Cape Crush is very proudly a “north shore” band rather than just claiming “Boston”. What would you say is different about the scene in the north shore vs Boston?
I always joke that we’re a North Shore band when we’re in Boston, and a Boston band when we’re playing out of state. I hypothesize that, just as important as having all-ages music spaces is having bands that are proudly from the community where those spaces exist. It’s a field of dreams.
“If you build it, they will come” type of attitude. But in truth, the North Shore is minutes from Boston, and I feel just as much a part of the Boston scene as I do the North Shore scene. It’s just about representing and building up the community.
Any shows coming up that we shouldn’t miss?
We have a super cool show coming up on 2/28/26 at O’Brien’s in Allston with See You at Rogers, Hedge, and MK Naomi. We’re also playing at the Shaskeen in Manchester on 3/7/26 with Donaher, Cozy Throne, and Fun City Fan Club at the Shaskeen. We’re hibernating from Boston shows until the record comes out, so make sure you come see us before we head underground! – TICKETS
You’ve said that Place Memory has some surprises in it. Can you give us any crumbs?
The surprises are in our sound as a band. I think there’s plenty of the power-pop hits that you’ve come to know from us, but also brace yourself for some alt-country moments (and maybe some lapsteel too).
Pre-save the upcoming album Place Memory by Cape Crush – HERE.
Featured image by: Cat Meade
