Too Close to Touch
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky, United States |
| Headquarters | Lexington , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, extended plays, singles |
Too Close to Touch was a rock ensemble originating from Lexington, Kentucky, formed in 2013. Fronted by vocalist Keaton Pierce, the group swiftly earned acclaim within the post-hardcore genre for their intricate musicianship and sophisticated compositions.
Their initial offerings, the self-titled EP Too Close to Touch and the debut full-length Nerve Endings, both distributed through Epitaph Records, cultivated a loyal following and attracted favorable reviews within the alternative music sphere.
After the passing of Pierce in 2022, the band paid tribute to his memory by releasing their concluding album, For Keeps, on March 8, 2024, again under Epitaph Records.
Origins and Too Close to Touch (2012–2014)
Guitarist Mason Marble and drummer Kenny Downey began working together in 2008. They subsequently incorporated Travis Moore and connected with Keaton Pierce and Thomas Kidd through shared acquaintances, finalizing the band's lineup.
In 2014, they collaborated with producer Erik Ron to record their debut four-track EP Too Close to Touch, securing a contract with Epitaph Records. The EP was released digitally on October 21, 2014. To broaden their audience, the band supported Emarosa during the 2014 tour for the album Versus.
Nerve Endings and Haven't Been Myself (2015–2017)
Returning to the studio with Erik Ron, they crafted their first full-length album, Nerve Endings, which was released on March 24, 2015.[1] Pierce characterized it as "an album with a message," focusing on emotionally driven performances intended to resonate with listeners. The album garnered positive critiques, achieving a Metacritic score of 72.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Post-release, the band embarked on extensive tours, including joining I Prevail on The Heart vs Mind Tour and supporting I the Mighty during their Connector Tour alongside Hail the Sun. Later in 2015, they opened for Hands Like Houses on the North American Dissonants Tour.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In February 2016, they offered the track "Heavy Hearts" as a free download and toured with Secrets on the Everything That Got Us Here Tour.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The following month, they participated in the 2016 Vans Warped Tour on the Cyclops Stage alongside groups such as Against the Current and Ghost Town. That same month, they received a nomination—and ultimately won—the Alternative Press Music Award for Best Underground Band.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On July 18, 2016, after more than a year of work, they revealed their sophomore album titled Haven't Been Myself. Its lead single, "What I Wish I Could Forget," was accompanied by a music video. The album entered the charts at #3 on Billboard's Alternative Artist Album chart, #9 on Top New Artist Albums, and #122 on the Top 200 Current Albums.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On June 1, 2017, it was announced that they would contribute to Fearless Records' compilation Punk Goes Pop Vol. 7 by covering Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha's "In the Name of Love," which was released on July 14 via Fearless.[2]
Singles Series and I'm Hard to Love, But So Are You (2017–2020)
The band unveiled "Leave You Lonely" on September 19, 2017, marking the beginning of a three-track series. This was succeeded by "Before I Cave In" on November 27, 2017, with the trilogy concluding through "Burn" released on January 30, 2018. The group characterized this sequence as a narrative journey through the abrupt loss of a significant person, transitioning from clarity to relapse and ultimately to emotional detachment.
On April 17, 2018, Too Close To Touch announced that lead guitarist Thomas Kidd and bassist Travis Moore had left the band due to personal matters, with the remaining members continuing as a trio.
In a surprise move, the band introduced an EP series entitled I'm Hard to Love But So Are You, starting with Vol. 1 on January 18, 2019. Subsequent volumes followed with Vol. 2 arriving on July 12, 2019, Vol. 3 on November 12, 2019, and after a hiatus, Vol. 4 was released on December 4, 2020.
Pierce's Death and For Keeps (2022–2024)
Lead vocalist Keaton Pierce passed away on March 26, 2022, at age 31 due to complications from acute pancreatitis.
After a period of inactivity exceeding one year, remaining members Mason Marble and Kenneth Downey returned with the posthumous single "Hopeless" on September 6, 2023. This track features one of Pierce’s last vocal recordings and was completed with assistance from friend Telle Smith of The Word Alive as a tribute.
The band announced their final album, For Keeps, on January 31, 2024, scheduled for release on March 8. Marble emphasized the significance of Pierce’s influence by stating, “Too Close To Touch would never have existed without Keaton and will not exist without him in the future,” underscoring their intent to honor his memory. The album comprises eight tracks including "Hopeless," which incorporates previously unreleased vocals by Pierce. The announcement coincided with the debut of lead single "Control."
Artistry
Balancing their musical output with strong visual elements is central to the band’s identity. They draw creative influence from indie artists such as The 1975, Walk the Moon, and The Neighbourhood, while maintaining a focus on distinctiveness.
Marble described their creative philosophy: "From the outset we’ve always been intentional about our direction. We write music that resonates with us personally—never adhering strictly to any genre... Our goal is to create music that evokes genuine emotion."
AllMusic’s James Christopher Monger characterizes the group as a "post-hardcore quintet adept at blending power with melody... delivering an energetic fusion of indie rock, cool vibes, and punk-infused emo pop," drawing parallels to Sleeping with Sirens and The 1975. Their touring history includes collaborations with similar bands such as Emarosa and A Lot Like Birds.
Band members
Former Members
- Kenneth Downey – drums, percussion (2013–2024)
- Mason Marble – rhythm guitar (2013–2024), lead guitar and bass (2018–2024)
- Thomas Kidd – lead guitar (2013–2018)
- Travis Moore – bass (2013–2018)
- Keaton Pierce – lead vocals (2013–2022; deceased 2022)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Nerve Endings (2015)
- Haven't Been Myself (2016)
- For Keeps (2024)
Extended plays
- Too Close to Touch (2014)
- I'm Hard to Love, But So Are You, Vol. 1 (2019)
- I'm Hard to Love, But So Are You, Vol. 2 (2019)
- I'm Hard to Love, But So Are You, Vol. 3 (2019)
- I'm Hard to Love, But So Are You, Vol. 4 (2020)
Singles
- Leave You Lonely (2017)
- Before I Cave In (2017)
- Burn (2018)
Compilation appearances
- Punk Goes Pop Vol. 7 – cover of "In the Name of Love" (originally by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha)
- Songs That Saved My Life – cover of "Let It Be" (originally by The Beatles)