The most recent local band featured in the ALT 99.5/102.3FM Homegrown Spotlight is the indie rock band thinning.

Comprised of Payton Knerr on drums, James Wadsworth on synth, Jess Thrower on guitar/bass/vocals, and Connor Corwin on guitar/bass/vocals, they came together as Corwin and Thrower discovered a shared a passion for their lyrical artistry. 

Their first original release soon followed with the single “waning and waxing.” The song led to Knerr and Wadsworth’s involvement, rounding out the band. 

Although they are a fairly new band, they have gotten to perform all around Fort Wayne and each is involved in other bands. Thrower is a popular solo artist who also fronts Swell Time, Corwin is in Necromoon along with Wadsworth, and Knerr can be found playing drums with The Namby Pamby.

Putting uncertainty into song

With “waning and waxing,” which can be heard on streaming services and seen in a video on YouTube, Thrower wanted to write about problems many of us struggle with.

“The song is about dealing with the ebb and flow of mental health struggles, like depression and anxiety, as well as coping with grief and loss,” she said. “It focuses on how sometimes those struggles can sort of paralyze you and make you feel like you’re an observer, not an active participant, of your own life.

“It seems like I’m always adding things to an endless to-do list, doing a head count on my failures, seeing everything and everyone change while I just feel very stuck and stagnant, but knowing ultimately that our time here is so brief and feeling guilty for not doing more.” 

I think this is something we can all relate to. Living in a world where everything is going a million miles per minute, and you are just trying to keep up with it all, can be incredibly overwhelming. 

The song has a sad vibe to it, yet it feels peaceful. 

With soft vocals and a melody make you want to go walk on a trail as the leaves fall around you, offering a feeling of tranquility.

Featured in short film

Since the release of “waning and waxing,” the song has been used in comedian Ali Pickard’s short film, Shape of Grief. 

Although Pickard is a writer, director, and comedian from Fort Wayne that now resides in Los Angeles, this short film is far from a comedy. 

“It’s a beautiful and moving take on loss and we are so honored to have our song used in it,” Thrower said of the film. 

Having your music put into an impactful short film has to be so rewarding. Knowing that your song is something that a lot of people are feeling means you are writing to the correct audience. 

It is hard to find a personality in the music world these days, but thinning. is clearly on the right track. 

Keeping busy

Fans can expect more music in the next couple months. 

After talking with them and learning that combined, the members of the band are also in 17 other bands, I cannot imagine attempting to try and schedule shows and practices.

Major props to them for continuing to live out their dreams in a world full of unexpected twists and turns. 

thinning. has a couple shows coming on Dec. 2 and Jan. 6 at The Brass Rail, with more shows to hopefully pop up as well! 

Listen to ALT 99.5FM/102.3FM to catch the single “waning and waxing” on the radio.