After a year of relentless touring and growing momentum, The Montaines are entering their next chapter with a debut album finally on the horizon.

Following a 2025 run supporting Lovejoy and returning to New York City's Mercury Lounge for their first show in over a month, the Washington, D.C.-based indie rock band is entering what may be their most exciting era yet: the release of their long-awaited debut album.

Currently in the final stages of recording with producer Reese Clutter at 38 North Studio, The project feels like the culmination of everything the band has been building toward on stage and in the studio. The album, expected this fall, features eight to nine tracks that capture both the energy of their live performances and the technical growth they've experienced over the last year.

"What to expect is what you've seen on tour," explained vocalist Alec O'Brien. "The things that we've come up with while we've been on tour and since then. Really just what The Montaines are as we are right now. It's what is meaningful to us as a band right now. It's what you get live, but with a lot more production and what you would expect from a debut album."

That emphasis on preserving the band's live identity has been a priority throughout the recording process. Fans who caught The Montaines opening for Lovejoy may already be familiar with much of the material, as every song performed during that run is slated to appear on the album. Since then, the band has continued refining the project, adding two new tracks and fine-tuning arrangements. "It's a rollercoaster," exclaimed bassist Jack O'Brien.

The band's recently released single, "Pain," offered fans their first glimpse into the project, with the second the arrival of the album being a fan-favorite track, "Prague," which marked a particularly meaningful moment within the fandom. "People have been asking for 'Prague' for like a year and a half," Alec said. "It's really great to actually get the song out. I think we really captured the emotion and the energy of the live version in the recorded version. We couldn't have been more happy with that.

Despite the brief break between performances, The Montaines returned to the stage at Mercury Lounge sounding sharper than ever. "We disappear for a month or whatever, however long, and we come back and I swear we sound even better," Alec laughed. "Just as locked in as ever," added Jack.

That chemistry has become one of the band's defining strengths. Whether they're performing in clubs, outdoor festivals, or college campuses, The Montaines have developed a reputation for creating immediate connections with audiences. "We had a little taste of the college circuit life," said drummer Christopher Christoffersen. "We played Marymount, we played GW's Spring Fest. That was cool. Invite us to your colleges. I think when we're outside, we're a better band."

The band's affinity for outdoor performances isn't just about the atmosphere, it's where many of their most dedicated supporters first discovered them. "Most of our biggest fans discovered us by accident," Christopher continued. "By walking by us when we're playing outside. Those people are very loyal. Those people come to every show."

That loyalty has become increasingly evident as the band's audience continues to grow far beyond the D.C. area. One fan drove from Tennessee to attend a hometown performance after first seeing the band on tour. Another, who runs the fan page @Montainesmania, has become a beloved figure within the band's community, creating content, supporting releases, and showing up whenever possible. Another fan by the username @montainesdaily traveled by Amtrak carrying homemade banana bread for the group  to enjoy before their show.

For a band handling the realities of independent DIY music, from marketing and social media to touring and promotion, those moments serve as powerful reminders of why they continue pushing forward. "There are people out there who really care about this," Alec reflected. "That's what it's all about."

With the debut album approaching, The Montaines are preparing for more than just a release. The band hopes to expand its reach well beyond the D.C. scene, bringing the new material to audiences throughout the East Coast and beyond. "We are trying to actively play as much outside of D.C. as we can," Alec said. "Once we have finalized our timeline for the album release, we'll try to do a tour of some sort, at the very least along the East Coast."

Alongside the new music, fans can also expect a refreshed visual identity. The album artwork is being created by the band’s longtime friend Hannah, known online as @Hannahgetscreative, while additional video content and updated social media visuals are planned around the release. "We'll be changing things up a little bit visually," Jack said. "You can expect at least a video or two around the album release. And just come to our live shows, because that's what it's about."

If the past year has proven anything, it's that The Montaines' growth hasn't been accidental. Their audience has expanded city by city, show by show, and often through pure word of mouth. Now, with a debut album on the way and a growing community behind them, the band is positioned to take its biggest step forward yet.

Photos and interview by Bek Allegretti