Flonique Guimary

Culture Wars focuses on songwriting and band identity on upcoming album ‘if not now, when?’

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Texas-based alternative rock band Culture Wars are placing songwriting and band identity at the forefront of their upcoming album, <em>if not now, when?.</em></p><div> </div><p>In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Culture Wars‘ vocalist Alex Dugan shared that the band deliberately shifted its focus toward songwriting, starting with the most essential elements before moving into full production.</p><div> </div><p>“The point of the record really is we wanted to focus on songwriting. The song first, vocal and guitar, vocal and piano song first before we move forward and record anything else,” Alex expressed.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767006389050Culture Wars focuses on songwriting and band identity on upcoming album ‘if not now, when’.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div><p>“We wanted to have an organic band, just let the band be itself, have great songs of the band, just record each part, you know. To not overthink it, not use all the electronics and so forth, and really hone in on that,” he added.</p><div> </div><p>He explained that the band wanted the album to reflect their natural sound without overproduction. “I think the process has been really more straightforward than anything in doing that. I think it allowed us to not hide behind a lot of things and to just get better at writing, at recording, at touring,” he said.</p><div> </div><p>When it comes to the record’s themes, he noted that the creative process pushed the band to be more honest in their work. “In terms of the themes, I wouldn&#x27;t necessarily say that. I mean, the theme of the record is the band. You know, we&#x27;re just five guys from Texas playing in a rock band and that&#x27;s really the theme,” he explained.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRAPCfzCTjI/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3583950%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="987" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Alex continued, “With that, the stories and so forth are really just biographical. You know, it&#x27;s just music and things that I&#x27;m writing from my own personal experience or things that I&#x27;ve witnessed or watched, you know. Not necessarily things I&#x27;ve seen, gone through firsthand.”</p><div> </div><p>Alex also explained that the album title reflects their mindset at this stage of their career, saying: “I think the title ‘<em>if not now, when?</em>’ really reflects just our attitude about where we&#x27;re at and how we feel about this record.”</p><div> </div><p>Asked which song best represents Culture Wars’ current sound, Alex said the answer often changes. “My answer is usually ‘bittersweet.’ But I think that&#x27;s just because I like that song. I think that&#x27;s the direction that we want to be in where we&#x27;re at right now. I think it is more a song that&#x27;s not out yet and doesn&#x27;t have a name, but I mean ‘In The Morning’ certainly, I think is the closest to what we really are right now,” he shared.</p><div> </div><p>“In The Morning” is the band’s latest release single last November.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRU5dXiiVtW/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A3583956.7999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="954" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/2/4/american-band-culture-wars-shares-a-close-connection-with-filipino-music-fans-1347" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: American band Culture Wars shares a close connection with Filipino music fans</strong></a><strong></strong><br/></div><div> </div><p>With a new album their fans can look forward to, Alex hopes the record offers listeners a sense of relief and connection. “I just hope for people to hear the music and to feel some sort of relief or happiness, you know. I think there&#x27;s a lot of just anger and emotion in the world and misplaced feelings. And I just hope that people can come together to enjoy something like music and realize that we humans have a lot more in common, are a lot more similar than they think. And I just want people to really just chill the f**k out,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFejwL7OTxn/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A3583964%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1005" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>In a press release, the album is described as “a breath of fresh air full of ambition and pure intentions,” featuring honest and unashamed rock music meant to resonate with diverse audiences.</p><div> </div><p>The album’s release date has yet to be announced.</p><div> </div><p>Culture Wars is composed of Alex Dugan, Caleb Contreras, Dillon Randolph, David Grayson, and Josh Stirm. The band previously performed in the Philippines as an opening act for LANY and Maroon 5.</p>

<p><b>American band Culture Wars is releasing a new album containing songs written by the band.</b></p>

American band Culture Wars is releasing a new album containing songs written by the band.

EXCLUSIVE: Culture Wars focuses on songwriting and band identity on upcoming album ‘if not now, when?’

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EXCLUSIVE: Culture Wars focuses on songwriting and band identity on upcoming album ‘if not now, when?’

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published Dec 29, 2025 07:06 PM PHT

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Alex Dugan

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if not now when?

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