Sometimes, you’ve got to look back to move forward. Leaving Irene, a Boston-based rock band, was born from both loss and love, transforming memories into music. Cousins Rocco (lead vocals, keys, guitar) and Jake DeRosa (lead guitar) found solace in songwriting after the passing of Jake’s father in 2023. What began as a personal outlet quickly became something bigger—a soundscape of raw emotion, layered with shimmering guitar work and heartfelt lyricism. With industry veteran Rocco (formerly of The Naked Stills) at the helm and Jake’s natural talent emerging from years in the shadows, Leaving Irene crafted a sound both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

Their debut EP, Basement Springs, showcases this emotional depth, weaving together the past and present in four striking tracks. Supported by Doug Standley (drums) and Stefan Pescatore (bass), the band enlisted top-tier talent to bring their vision to life—recording with Brian Charles (The Sheila Divine, Dispatch) and Annie Hoffman at Rare Signals Studio, mixing with Brian Scheuble (Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Dave Matthews), and mastering with Dave Collins (Bruce Springsteen, Quincy Jones, Third Eye Blind). Through evocative storytelling, soaring melodies, and anthemic crescendos, Leaving Irene invites listeners to navigate their own histories, find beauty in the echoes, and move forward—without forgetting where they’ve been.