By admin 
HangupsMusic.com – Brooklyn, New York, is a city teeming with untold stories of artistic ambition, but few resonate as powerfully as the journey of Nick Llobet and Micah Prussack. Beyond their rising prominence as the core duo of the indie-rock sensation youbet, Llobet, 36, and Prussack, 29, share a profound connection to the transformative power of music through their dedicated work as educators. For them, witnessing a student unlock a new level of instrumental mastery isn’t merely a job; it’s a daily reaffirmation of music’s boundless potential. “There’s an unparalleled joy in watching someone’s progress,” Prussack reflects, her voice imbued with genuine warmth. Llobet, her bandmate and creative foil, echoes the sentiment with an unvarnished enthusiasm. “It’s a feeling I get to experience almost every single day. Honestly, it’s incredible.” This unique vantage point, cultivating growth in others, inherently shapes their own artistic evolution, culminating in their highly anticipated self-titled album, a thrilling testament to their shared creative leap.
For years, Llobet and Prussack have immersed themselves in the vibrant ecosystem of music education, guiding students ranging from energetic seven-year-olds to seasoned senior citizens. Their résumés boast tenures at various School of Rock programs across New York, alongside a robust schedule of private lessons. This hands-on experience in nurturing nascent talent and rekindling dormant musical passions has imbued them with a profound understanding of dedication, practice, and the sheer grit required to excel. It’s a philosophy that permeates every chord and lyric of youbet, their forthcoming project set for release on May 1 via Hardly Art. The album represents a significant milestone for Llobet, a singer and guitarist who found his true "partner in crime" and bassist in Prussack. It’s a collection that immediately captivates with its infectious melodies and inventive arrangements, from the raw, driving energy of tracks like “Receive” to the ethereal, guitar-driven pop of “Worship.” This is the unmistakable sound of two musicians who have not only discovered their unique sonic identity but have also found a rare, potent synchronicity.
Their influence extends far beyond the stage. Dom DiGesu, guitarist for Geese, a band widely heralded as the vanguard of New York’s current rock scene, credits Llobet with profoundly shaping his early musical development. DiGesu began taking lessons with Llobet at age 11, continuing through the formative years of his own band. “Nick recognized my genuine commitment to music; he saw that I wasn’t just another student,” DiGesu recounts in an email to Rolling Stone. “He treated me as a fellow musician, a friend even, which was incredibly empowering. Those lessons were the first time an adult truly respected my playing. I’ll always be grateful for Nick’s guidance.” This reciprocal relationship between mentor and mentee, performer and student, underscores the deep well of experience that informs youbet’s artistry.
Llobet’s own musical awakening began in the sun-drenched landscape of southern Florida. At the tender age of 14, their Cuban-born father, a staunch hard rock enthusiast, orchestrated a life-altering pilgrimage: a Metallica St. Anger tour concert in November 2004. “That night was nothing short of a revelation,” Llobet recalls, stirring a decaf Americano at a diner in Bed-Stuy. “I became utterly consumed by the aspiration of becoming a guitarist. The desire gnawed at me, day and night, an incessant hunger.”
Initially, Llobet found solace and practice opportunities at a friend’s house. By ninth grade, having diligently absorbed a handful of Metallica anthems, the burgeoning guitarist decided it was time for a grand reveal to their father. “I had my friend Derek’s guitar plugged into a tiny Micro Cube amp,” Llobet recounts, a smile playing on their lips. “I launched into the intro solo of ‘Sanitarium’ and then the iconic riff from ‘Seek & Destroy.’” The reaction was immediate and decisive. “I’ll never forget it: he picked up the phone, called my stepmom, and exclaimed, ‘We have to get Nick a guitar. Holy shit.’” That very weekend, at a nearby Sam Ash, Llobet acquired the Fender Stratocaster they still wield today. “I haven’t truly put it down since that moment,” they affirm, describing how they later customized the instrument by stripping its paint and adorning it with pressed flowers. “It wasn’t just a guitar; it was a magic carpet, a vessel that granted me access to all the musical fantasies I harbored.”
Llobet’s path led them briefly to Boston’s esteemed Berklee College of Music, where they crossed paths with future luminaries like Adrianne Lenker and Nick Hakim. Yet, the institutional environment never quite resonated. In the fall of 2013, seeking a more authentic connection to their nine-year-old dream, Llobet relocated to New York City. “I arrived incredibly shy, utterly overwhelmed by the city’s relentless energy,” they confess. “For three or four years, I largely retreated, hiding in my room, immersing myself in music, learning countless songs. No one knew who I was, but inside, I harbored this vast universe of passion.” The turning point arrived as Llobet began attending shows by burgeoning indie bands like Girlpool and Frankie Cosmos, finding an unexpected home within the city’s vibrant queer music scene in their mid-twenties. “Suddenly, the entire vision crystallized,” Llobet says, their eyes widening. “It shattered my perceptions, blew my world wide open. It was a revolution in every conceivable sense – musically, politically, queer-wise.”
A serendipitous encounter with punk poet laureate Patti Smith at Penn Station during this period served as a powerful validation of Llobet’s chosen trajectory. “When that internal fire burns so intensely – that desperate need to articulate something, yet feeling unheard – it creates an extreme yearning,” Llobet explains. “Meeting Patti Smith, I thought, ‘My God, this is my chance to see if this feeling, this profound yearning, is real.’” Their brief conversation, punctuated by Smith’s encouraging words as they awaited their respective trains, left an indelible mark. “She perceived this somewhat melancholic, insecure individual with a guitar, and she offered such nurturing kindness. Honestly, it was precisely the affirmation I needed at that juncture.”
For years following, Llobet traversed the city’s DIY circuit, collaborating with a rotating cast of musicians. However, it wasn’t until Micah Prussack entered the fold that youbet truly coalesced. A New Jersey native and another self-proclaimed “rock lifer,” Prussack’s origin story is equally compelling. “I picked up the bass at age 10 because my fifth-grade friends and I decided we needed a Green Day cover band,” she recounts with a laugh. “We learned ‘Holiday,’ and that was it for the band. But I never put my instrument down.” After college, Prussack embarked on a career in law, a path that felt increasingly misaligned with her true calling. In 2021, she made the audacious decision to leave the legal world behind to fully commit to teaching and playing music. “My parents, understandably, voiced their concerns, saying, ‘Honey, this is a terrible idea,’” Prussack admits. “But I knew, deep down, that if there was ever a moment to chase this dream wholeheartedly, it was now.”
The chemistry between Llobet and Prussack was instantaneous when their paths converged a year later at a show featuring one of Prussack’s other musical projects. They discovered a shared pedagogical ethos: the relentless pursuit of improvement, the dedication to challenging oneself, the belief in consistent practice. Beyond their teaching philosophies, their personalities proved to be perfectly complementary. Prussack’s innate organizational skills and penchant for witty banter provided a crucial counterpoint to Llobet’s more introverted intensity and boundless creative energy.
“I’m constantly writing, constantly envisioning new musical landscapes,” Llobet elaborates. “I need someone I can brainstorm with, someone who gets my humor, someone I implicitly trust. I spent years searching for the kind of creative partnership we now share.” Both musicians possess a deep theoretical understanding, capable of discussing intricate non-standard chords and complex tunings. Yet, for youbet, their focus for this album shifted towards harnessing that technical prowess in service of something universally accessible and irresistibly catchy.
The recording of youbet unfolded over a concentrated 10-day period last year at the Maryland home of their friend, acclaimed singer-songwriter Katie Von Schleicher, who co-produced the sessions. This intimate, focused environment allowed the duo to push their boundaries, striving to surpass their previous work and reach that elusive “next level,” mirroring the encouragement they offer their own students. “In a sense, we’re absolute perfectionists,” Llobet states.
“But our perfectionism isn’t about achieving a flawless final product,” Prussack interjects, clarifying their nuanced approach. “It’s about the pursuit of that perfection, the journey itself.” Llobet nods in agreement. “Every album presents an opportunity to explore uncharted territory. This album, youbet, profoundly embodies the spirit of never giving up.” It’s a message that resonates deeply, not only for their devoted students but for anyone who understands the enduring power of passion, perseverance, and the transformative magic of finding your true creative partner. With youbet, Llobet and Prussack offer a powerful testament to the idea that the greatest lessons learned are often the ones you teach yourself, especially when you have a trusted companion by your side.