Silverset Shines with New Single “Akamea” and Upcoming EP Rollout
In a San Francisco music scene bustling with fresh talent and sonic experimentation, it’s not easy to stand out. But that’s exactly what the indie-rock trio Silverset is doing—with dreamy textures, punchy beats, and a DIY ethos that’s as bold as their music. Formed just last year, the band has already made a name for itself with their debut single “Wherever You Are, Wherever You Go,” which surpassed 10,000 streams on Spotify and earned early radio support from KPCR and Bernal Heights Radio. But as I found out in my recent interview for Backstage Bay Area, that’s just the beginning for Silverset.
The Sound of Serendipity
Silverset came together in late 2024, when drummer Jon Stenz, fresh off playing with his brother Jared in the alt-rock band FOXTRAX, discovered vocalist Nikki Fruth at an open mic. Her voice, he said, “was super cool,” and a jam session with guitarist Grant Hespeler soon followed. The chemistry was instantaneous.
“For the longest time, I was trying to find a musical project that felt right,” Nikki told me. “It was just so difficult to get it to vibe. Then I met Jon and later Grant, and it was just so easy.”
Their connection wasn’t just musical—it was philosophical. Silverset is more than a name. It’s a metaphor. While cleaning out a family member’s home, Jon and Jared found a buried set of silverware under years of clutter. That unexpected discovery became a symbol for the band’s creative mission: to find beauty buried beneath life’s rubble. As Jon explained, “When you slow down and truly find something that moves you, Silverset can be that beauty.”
From Gregorian Chants to Indie Pop Anthems
While their sound evokes the shimmer of The Killers or the drama of Kate Bush, Nikki’s musical roots are, surprisingly, medieval. “This is going to sound ridiculous,” she laughed, “but my first musical influence was Gregorian chants. The harmonies just blew me away!”
It’s that same layered, vocal-centric style that gives Silverset its lush, cinematic quality. Yet it’s paired with tight grooves and hook-driven melodies, often juxtaposing lyrical reflection with danceable beats. “I love when a song is introspective but makes you want to move,” Nikki said. “That contrast is where the magic happens.”
Total DIY, Total Control
Unlike many emerging acts, Silverset didn’t wait for a producer or label to define their sound. Their debut EP—set to drop as a series of singles over the coming months—was entirely written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by the band themselves.
That decision wasn’t just about cost or speed, though it certainly helped. “It allowed us to really understand our sound,” Jon explained. “When you’re early in your journey, getting under the hood like that helps you build and evolve authentically.”
A key part of that process was Jon’s brother, Jared Stenz, who not only handled bass duties on the recordings but also took on the technical roles of mixing and mastering. He’ll join the band live at their upcoming August 15 release party at Kilowatt in San Francisco, adding more depth and groove to their already tight rhythm section.
Akamea: The Dumpster Cat Who Inspired a Love Song
The next single, “Akamea,” drops August 8, and it comes with a backstory that’s both heartwarming and unexpected. The song is named after Nikki’s adopted cat—a stray she rescued in Brooklyn. “She was just this little dumpster kitty,” Nikki recalled. “I felt bad for her at first, but she became such an important part of my life. That kind of unexpected love inspired the song.”
If their debut single was a reflective dance track, “Akamea” promises even more energy, joy, and emotional resonance. “It’s hopeful,” said Jon. “It’s funky. It’s the kind of song where you might cry a little, then dance it off right after.”
The Kilowatt Show: Expect Spontaneity
Silverset is gearing up to bring their growing catalog of songs to life at the Kilowatt show on August 15, and fans can expect more than just polished performances. “We’re going to have fun—if we’re not laughing, what’s the point?” Nikki said with a grin. “We’ve worked so hard, from sound panels falling on my head during recording sessions to long jam nights. Now it’s time to celebrate.”
Jon added, “You’ll get high energy, a few off-script jams, moments of musicality that don’t make it onto the record. We want people to dance, cry, sing—all of it.”
What’s Next: EP Rollout and Beyond
Following the release of “Akamea,” Silverset will continue to drop singles leading up to a full EP this fall. A short tour is also in the works, with dates in Los Angeles and New York City still to be announced. And beyond that? A full-length LP is on the horizon.
But for now, the trio remains focused on savoring the present—those quiet victories and unexpected joys, just like the one they found buried under years of dust in a family attic.
“In a world that moves so fast,” Jon said, “we’re trying to slow down enough to find the silver beneath the noise.”
Silverset’s single “Akamea” drops August 8. Catch them live at Kilowatt in San Francisco on August 15 (Doors 6 PM, Show 7 PM). More at kilowattbar.com. Stream their music on Spotify and follow @silversetband on Instagram.
