A Bitter Canvas

A Bitter Canvas is an Oakland-based Emo/Post-Hardcore band founded by multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicholas Redmond (formerly of the progressive rock band Septacy).

With over 15 years in the Bay Area's hardcore and emo scenes, Redmond embarks on a solo venture with "Nihility", the band's debut single—an abrasive love letter to the genre drawing inspiration from acts like At The Drive-In, Glassjaw, and Knocked Loose. The track, named after the concept of nothingness or nonexistence, delves into the psychological toll of long-term insomnia and sleep medication, influenced by Redmond’s personal experiences at the time of writing.

Blending a wide range of influences, A Bitter Canvas reinterprets emo through an expansive lens, paying homage to the East Bay punk scene he grew up in while incorporating elements of math rock, Japanese pop, and deathcore.

The project traces its origins back to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, when Redmond—newly separated from Septacy—began experimenting with DIY recording and production. Over the next five years, he refined his artistic voice and honed his production skills, ultimately deciding in 2024 to fully self-produce his music and officially establish A Bitter Canvas as it exists today.

Though fundamentally a solo endeavor, Redmond is eager to take A Bitter Canvas beyond the digital realm. He is actively seeking collaborators to bring this music to life on stages across the nation.