PUBLIC

PUBLIC is an American indie-pop and alternative rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, built around John Vaughn on lead vocals and guitar and Ben Lapps on drums, who began writing songs together before Matthew Alvarado joined on bass to round out the trio. Drawing on roots in classic rock filtered through a bright, hook-driven indie-pop sensibility, the band built its early following with the 2012 EP «Red», developing a strong local fanbase in Cincinnati before expanding onto the national touring circuit.

PUBLIC's rise was closely tied to relentless touring, supporting acts such as Walk the Moon, Twenty One Pilots, and Young the Giant, and appearing at festivals including Forecastle, Bunbury, CMJ, and SXSW. Their second EP, «Let's Make It», released in 2014, helped launch their first national headline-adjacent tour and was later reissued as «Let's Remake It» with additional tracks. Songs like «Make You Mine» and «Pretty Face» became signature moments in their catalog, showcasing their knack for shimmering guitar lines and radio-ready choruses.

Working with producer Eric Palmquist in Los Angeles pushed the band toward a more polished, alternative-pop-leaning sound, broadening their sonic palette beyond their classic-rock foundations. Through steady touring and evolving production, PUBLIC carved out a niche in the mid-2010s indie-pop landscape, balancing guitar-driven energy with pop accessibility.