Not Quite A Dirty Dozen with COYOTE MAN – August 2026

Photo credit: Vanessa Valadez

According to a recent press release: “Everything Is Noise is currently streaming Prosthetic Memories, the stunning new full-length from Chicago-based instrumental power trio, COYOTE MAN. The premiere comes on the eve of the record’s official release Friday, August 14th. Members Augie Portugal, Ian Wheeler, and Rene Rodriguez have been making noise since the early 2000s but officially formed COYOTE MAN in 2015. Together they deliver powerful riffs that are simultaneously haunting and soothing. COYOTE MAN is a reminder that music can still be an art form not easily subjugated to cliches of today’s digital age. With Prosthetic Memories, COYOTE MAN delivers their most ambitious and compelling work to date – an instrumental album that guides listeners through a cinematic journey of hope, conflict, introspection, and triumph. From moments of beauty and wonder to thunderous clashes with darker forces, the album unfolds like that soundtrack to an epic story, driven by the band’s powerful musicianship and fearless creativity.” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The cover is a real picture of some family during Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico in the mid 80’s. The name Prosthetic Memories entails how we don’t truly remember things as they actually took place. Things aren’t always as we remember them. Our drummer, Ian is featured doing some spoken word at the end of track, “Holographic Heirloom”.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

In our adolescence it was an escape and we were able to connect with friends with similar taste in music which is how we all met in high school. The moment was the first show we ever played.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There were a bunch of different artists and moments that inspired us but, when The Mars Volta came out, it was transformative for us.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Chino Moreno.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Hanging out in the pool, playing video games and sleeping.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

The best way to explain our most recent releases over the past few years are considered Post-Metal. Even though we have elements of other genres in our music, we get lumped into more of the metal scene. When someone tells us that we need a singer.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We will say Rene.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

When actor Michael Shannon was at one of our shows.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is releasing all types of energy through our sound and jams. There is no dream job. A job is a job. That’s why this is our hobby. (Hahaha)

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Category: Interviews