STRGZR

STRGZR is an Austin, MN-based band and the creative outlet of Eric Bobak, an artist and producer stepping into the forefront after years of playing background roles in bands like Never Say Never, Five Year Echo, and The Singles. A Michigan native who’s called Chicago, Houston, and now Minnesota home, Eric’s journey to STRGZR began during the stillness of the pandemic, when he felt inspired to explore his voice as a solo artist. At its core, STRGZR is about navigating the interplay of darkness and light within us all. It’s a project that delves into the beauty and challenges of human existence, seeking to foster compassion, empathy, and connection. With a modern take on punk and indie sounds of the '90s and 2000s, STRGZR draws inspiration from bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Eat World, and The Flaming Lips—melding nostalgic textures with contemporary alternative energy. STRGZR’s debut album and aptly titled first single, Sad Machine, is a reflection of his personal and artistic evolution. Written, produced, and largely performed by Eric and mixed by audio engineer Jon-Paul Kauffman, the record features collaborations with Boston drummer Don Schweihoffer (Five Year Echo) on the track “DNA” and background vocals by Eric’s wife on “Texas Moon,” a heartfelt tribute to their time in Houston. The album wrestles with questions of happiness and humanity, juxtaposing emotional vulnerability with a hopeful optimism. Themes of sadness, technology, and the quest for connection thread throughout, exploring what it means to be human in an increasingly mechanical world. Having relocated to Minnesota, Eric finds endless inspiration in the wonders of nature—particularly the night sky and the aurora borealis. The northern lights, a magical and humbling spectacle, symbolize the beauty and mystery at the heart of STRGZR. Through vivid imagery of the cosmos, nature, and even the psychedelic, STRGZR invites listeners to look both outward and inward, embracing the dualities of life. With STRGZR, Eric creates music that is deeply personal yet universal—an invitation to explore, reflect, and connect. As the project evolves, Eric looks forward to collaborating with other musicians to expand its creative horizons, building on its foundation of raw emotion, introspection, and the boundless inspiration of the universe above. For fans of music that feels like stargazing on a clear night—wondrous, introspective, and infinitely hopeful—STRGZR is here to light the way.