Bitters and Distractions Release New Single: THE THREADS

Long Island Acoustic Punk Duo drops new song via Berkeley-based independent label Sell The Heart Records. See them live at FEST 23 in Gainesville Oct. 26th and at Fest @ the Farm Nov. 5th in Yaphank.

Long Island, NY (October 17, 2025) Acoustic punk duo Bitters and Distractions have released their new single, The Threads via Berkeley-based independent label Sell The Heart Records.

Hailing from Long Island, NY, Bitters and Distractions is comprised of Jeremy Quitko and Travis Johnides. The duo channels the energy and urgency of punk rock through stripped-down, acoustic-driven arrangements. While the instrumentation may be minimal, the emotional weight is anything but.

Punk as Folk described their sound as: “This is punk proper, just done with acoustic guitars.”

“The Threads” captures the tension between striving for a meaningful future and grappling with the fleeting nature of time. The songs lyrics reflects resilience in “spread our wings and stretch our legs”. While also embracing nostalgia and the imperfections of life, summed up in the refrain: “that’s why we can’t have nice things.”

The duo explains:

“The song is a bittersweet toast to the journey, the struggles, and the moments that define us. It’s about holding onto hope while acknowledging the scars along the way.”

Recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered entirely in the duo’s homes, The Threads also features guest backing vocals by Natalia Neal, a former student of Jeremy’s.

Bitters and Distractions began as Jeremy’s personal songwriting outlet, drawing from his formative years in Colorado and the loss of a close friend. The project evolved when Travis began composing music to accompany Jeremy’s words, sparking a creative partnership that resonated with listeners and transformed the duo into a fully realized band with nine releases to date.

While they may wield acoustic guitars, the band makes it clear: they’re a punk band first and foremost. Their stripped-down instrumentation doesn’t soften their sound, it sharpens it, giving their songs a raw, resonant edge across punk’s wide spectrum. Backed by Sell The Heart Records, Bitters and Distractions are gearing up for their busiest season yet.

Upcoming shows:

Sunday, October 26th at FEST 23 in Gainesville, FL @ The Bull (3:40–4:10pm)
Saturday, November 15th at Fest at the Farm – Yaphank, NY – @ Suffolk County Farm
(All-ages punk festival supporting Suffolk County Farm)

LISTEN to The Threads now available through Sell The Heart Records