With Stung, Long Island Sound – Rob Roche and Tim Nolan – push further into the shadows. Darker, denser, and ultra-cinematic, the track lives in the squeeze between tension and release, suffocating one moment, euphoric the next. Club music with a pulse and a psyche.
Following Hydra, Fracture, and their Depeche Mode remix, Stung feels like focus tightening, not a left turn. Emotion-first club sonics, total autonomy via their own imprint Signs of Space, and a duo fully locked into their language.
We tap in with Long Island Sound on the headspace behind Stung, the beauty of emotional ambiguity, how live sets feed the studio, and the tools shaping their tactile, cinematic sound.
Each live set informs the music that we make in the studio, which forms the basis of the next iteration of the live show.
Stung hits darker and more cinematic than your previous work — what headspace were you in when this one took shape?
Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact mood when it came together. Listening back now, it definitely has a dense, dark atmosphere. There are moments where it feels so tense that it’s almost claustrophobic, and then other sections release that tension, giving the track a real push and pull.
You’ve built a reputation for euphoric yet introspective club music. How do you find that balance between emotion and impact?
While our sound has evolved over the years, we’ve always retained those characteristics. The music we’ve released over the last year is more club-focused, but even when we push it harder, it naturally retains a lot of emotional depth. It’s not a conscious balancing act – it’s just where we tend to go creatively.
The new single blurs house, techno, and breaks – what’s the story behind that hybrid sound?
Yeah, we hadn’t actually noticed how cross-pollinated the sound is until recently, but we’re really happy that we’ve managed to combine all of those styles into a coherent piece. There are some electro-style elements too, and the spikey riff draws from live performance, constantly evolving throughout the track. It’s just an amalgamation of sounds and techniques we’ve been experimenting with.
After Hydra, Fracture, and your Depeche Mode remix, Stung feels like another evolution. How do you keep pushing without losing the essence of Long Island Sound?
We’re glad it comes across as an evolution. The feeling we aim for remains the same: intense emotion combined with club sonics. Being inspired by other musicians is what keeps us moving forward. We constantly hear new music and think, “maybe we can create something inspired by that.”
You record, mix, and release through your own imprint, Signs of Space. How has that freedom shaped your creative process?
It’s incredibly freeing not having to worry about what a label A&R thinks. We just follow our instincts. The last few months releasing music on Signs of Space have been a joy, everything feels immediate. We’ve been able to schedule singles quickly and collaborate closely with a designer on the visual identity of each release. It’s been really fulfilling.
Your sound has been called “sunset techno” — luminous but melancholic. Is that emotional tension intentional or just who you are as producers?
We’re creatively satisfied when that tension is present. We’re naturally drawn to highly emotional music, but we consciously avoid leaning too far toward either ‘cheesy’ happiness or pure misery. That middle ground of emotional ambiguity is where the music feels most beautiful to us.
From Tengu to Fabric, your live sets have a serious following. How does performing influence the way you approach your studio work?
Performing live has fed directly back into our productions, and vice versa. It’s been a fascinating lens for looking at tunes, experimenting with new elements, and refining techniques. Each live set informs the music that we make in the studio, which forms the basis of the next iteration of the live show.
You’ve remixed legends and newcomers alike – what makes a remix project exciting enough to say yes to?
We’ve been lucky to work on some amazing tracks. It usually comes down to whether we love the original and feel we can add something meaningful to it.
What tools or hardware are essential for building that cinematic, tactile energy you’re known for?
Good question! A good reverb and delay are key. In live sets, we use Strymon Big Sky, Eventide H9, and Erica Synths X Ninja Tune Zen Delay – the Zen Delay is especially tactile for live performance. In the studio, our go-to reverbs are the Valhallas, and we often use a Roland Space Echo remake (Outer Space VST) on lead sounds. The Outer Space has been a key effect in our recent run of singles.
You’ve spent a decade refining your craft – where does Stung fit in the bigger story of Long Island Sound, and what’s next on the horizon?
Stung combines elements from recent releases but carries a restlessness that we think sets it apart. Its arrangement is simple and functional, but the density and tension give it real weight. On the horizon: look out for a special live single before the end of the year.
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