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Along the Wall 5:290:00/5:29
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0:00/5:12
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Sparrow 4:190:00/4:19
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Dirtbag 4:180:00/4:18
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Pinky 3:240:00/3:24
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0:00/4:57
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Merry-Go-Round 3:290:00/3:29
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0:00/8:31
Essential Machine
91.3FM WYEP's artist of the week
About
The Essential Machine Story
AN INDIE ROCK FAMILY BAND
Essential Machine is an indie rock trio from Pittsburgh composed of RJ Dietrich (lead vocals/guitar), Karen Dietrich (drums), and their son Robert Dietrich (keys/bass synth/vocals).
In 2008 husband and wife RJ and Karen began their musical journey together. RJ’s experience being in bands since he was a teenager and Karen’s experience in musical theater led to them writing and recording their first folk album Find the Harmony. After putting out a few records and touring as a folk duo Karen decided to learn the drums and their son Robert joined the band on the keys. The band slowly transformed from an indie folk duo to an indie synth rock trio. Being a family band has allowed them to create a sound that is not only unique but also cohesive. The band’s influences are diverse including such artists as Oscar Peterson, Freddie Gibbs, Spoon, and Bright Eyes.
Essential Machine has opened for Laura Jane Grace, Boys Like Girls, Deep Sea Diver, Alvvays, Justin Townes Earle, Everything Everything, and Kopecky, to name a few.
Their most recent single “Waiting” is a song about the paralysis that can set in when the world around us is burning. It has received radio play from stations across the country including heavy rotation at 91.3 WYEP and 100.7 KUOM.
Their LP Compressor//Sustainer was released on 8/15/2025 and is currently available on limited addition vinyl manufactured locally at Hellbender Vinyl in Pittsburgh PA. It reached 136 on the NACC radio charts and 99 on CollegeRadioCharts.com. It continues to get spins on radio stations across the country.
Almost Outta Here
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