The Mascot Theory (album release), Miles Nielsen

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John Urban

The four members of The Mascot Theory.

The Mascot Theory

Just before heading into the studio with The Mascot Theory to begin recording their next album, singer-songwriter Erik Kjelland went to a doctor seeking help for bad headaches and blurry vision. A few months later while still in the midst of recording, Kjelland received a scary diagnosis: he had developed an arteriovenous fistula in his brain. The procedure to address it was successful, and although Kjelland’s recovery is ongoing he and the band are ready to present their new album, Cosmic Hit And Run, out Oct. 3. The album release party also includes a set by Miles Nielsen. Read Joshua M. Miller’s preview here.

media release: Americana-rock band The Mascot Theory will celebrate the release of their most personal and ambitious record to date, Cosmic Hit And Run, with two special release shows this October:

• Friday, October 3, 2025 – Gibson Music Hall, Appleton, WI

• Sunday, October 5, 2025 – Atwood Music Hall, Madison, WI

Tickets are on sale now: https://themascottheory.com/shows.html

Cosmic Hit And Run (out October 3, 2025) grew out of frontman Erik Kjelland’s journey through loss and survival. The songs were written as a way of processing delayed grief after the loss of his father during the pandemic. In early 2025, while the band was in the middle of recording, Kjelland was blindsided by the discovery of a rare and life-threatening Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) in his brain, adding another layer of urgency and vulnerability to the album.

“This record came from a place I never imagined I’d have to go,” says Kjelland. “Losing my dad during the pandemic left a hole in my life, and then facing my own mortality during the recording process made every lyric feel heavier and every harmony more necessary. In a way, the songs became both a release and a lifeline.”

The result is a collection of songs that balances heartbreak and resilience, weaving Americana and folk-rock roots with cinematic soundscapes and ambient textures. The album’s first single, “Got A Grip” (featuring Tyler Durdin), showcases this new sonic depth while retaining the band’s signature harmonies and emotional punch.

Both album release shows will feature a full live performance of Cosmic Hit And Run, along with special guest appearances. In Appleton, the Into The Music Podcast will host a live on-stage interview with the band; in Madison, journalist Teri Barr will lead the conversation. Each evening will open with a solo set from longtime friend and collaborator Miles Nielsen.

Cosmic Hit And Run is the follow-up to The Mascot Theory’s 2024 release Every Sign Of Life, and it stands as both a tribute to the past and a defiant embrace of the future.

Album Pre-Save / Streaming Link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/themascottheory/cosmic-hit-and-run

Band Website: https://themascottheory.com

About The Mascot Theory:

The Mascot Theory is a Wisconsin-based Americana-Rock band known for emotionally honest songwriting, soaring harmonies, and a sound that moves fluidly between introspective folk-rock and full-throttle, heartland anthems. Centered around the reflective songwriting of vocalist/guitarist Erik Kjelland and brought vividly to life by the dynamic interplay of Cory Swadley (lead guitar), Nick Fry (bass), and Paul Metz (drums), the band creates music that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Their chemistry fuels a live energy that’s intimate, explosive, and always evolving. Whether on stage or in the studio, The Mascot Theory crafts songs anchored in melody, driven by heart, and wide open to the unknown. The band worked with famed producer Terry Manning (Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Shakira, Lenny Kravitz, Stax Record) at Sonic Ranch Studios near El Paso, TX to record songs for their 2024-released Every Sign Of Life album.