TWO-MAN GIANT SQUID
BAND REVIEW
Brooklyn’s Post-Punk Hydra
Catch the high-energy vibes of Two-Man Giant Squid in their latest live set—where Brooklyn's heartbeat and pure rock energy collide. Video by Pablo Herrera (TMN). Hotel Vegas, SXSW 2025.
Brooklyn’s post-punk undercurrents have been churning fast—and Two-Man Giant Squid is one of the fiercest waves coming out of it. What began as Mitch Vinokur’s solo project exploded after a co-sign from WFUV’s Sam Sumpter, who crowned their debut EP as “EP of the Year” in 2022.
Fast forward: a full band assembled, NYC shows booked, and their new album Two-Man Giant Squid—an ode to their DIY beginnings—ready to drop under Mint 400 Records. We caught up with the squad in the chaotic heart of Hotel Vegas during SXSW to talk Brooklyn, beats, bad DJ memories, and the blurry line between nostalgia and regret.
A Band Built on Brooklyn, Blood, and Instagram DMs
When we caught up with the band the energy was as electric backstage as it was onstage. Mitch, nursing a shredded voice from the set, let his bandmates take the lead. Guitarist Robbie Sawyer is a childhood friend. Sam Burgess—who brings synth magic to the live shows—is Mitch’s fiancée. John Cogan was discovered through Instagram, same as bassist Brennan, who Mitch "snagged" from another NYC bill. Despite their different roots (Jersey, Toronto, even Ukraine), the band’s beating heart is Brooklyn.
“Brooklyn’s wild,” Mitch croaked between smiles. “There’s so much happening, you can go out and play shows all the time. We’re inspired by the sweaty, jump-around energy at every corner.”
That raw vibe is stitched into their sets: think guitars like buzzsaws, synths glowing like neon signs, and drums that make you spill your drink.
“We’ve put everything into our music—it’s a reflection of who we are and where we’ve been, from the first note to the last.”
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From Bad DJ to Post-Punk Prophet
Believe it or not, Two-Man Giant Squid’s DNA includes a very questionable DJ past. “I was the bad kind of DJ,” Mitch admitted, laughing. “College DJ, hitting buttons, playing Afrojack. Definitely not my proudest era.”
But instead of erasing those memories, Mitch turned them into songs—wrestling with the bittersweetness of misspent nights, youthful chaos, and the weird love-hate relationship we have with our past selves.
“I like writing songs where two sides of me argue,” he said. “There’s not really a right or wrong. It's up to the listener to decide.”
That inner tug-of-war fuels tracks like “Drugs Junkie Talk,” a brutally honest, tongue-in-cheek anthem that doesn’t preach or glamorize but captures the messy, real emotions tied to growing up, partying, and everything in between.
“Honestly,” Mitch shrugged, “psychedelics changed my life. I think, used responsibly, it’s a part of life for a lot of city kids.”
Mitch Vinokur, the powerhouse frontman of Two-Man Giant Squid. Hotel Vegas, SXSW 2025. Photo by Pablo Herrera (TMN).
Synths, Sweat, and Soundsystems
If you’re hearing more electronics sneak into Two-Man Giant Squid’s otherwise gnarly guitars, thank Sam and her Korg Minilogue. Mitch handed her the synth one day and simply said, “You’re in the band now.”
It was the missing piece. Without it, they’d just be “another shitty rock band,” Mitch joked.
They cite LCD Soundsystem as a major influence—not the polished studio version, but the sweaty, punk-fueled live shows where dance beats crash headfirst into punk ethos. It's that energy that Two-Man Giant Squid channels, whether they’re ripping through a Brooklyn basement gig or setting Hotel Vegas on fire at SXSW.
What's Next for the Squid?
Two-Man Giant Squid is gearing up to keep the momentum flooding forward with their latest self-titled album, Two-Man Giant Squid, released on March 7, 2025 via Mint 400 Records (shoutout to Neil at Mint 400, the band made sure to add). Their earlier release, Intro To Basement (2023), first put them on the map, but now the Brooklyn band is carving out an even bigger space in the city's ever-shifting post-punk scene.
Before wrapping up our time together (and to some cheers and laughter), Mitch made sure to shout out guitarist Robbie Sawyer: “Oh yeah, and happy birthday Robbie—the greatest guitarist ever!”
Brooklyn’s tides keep changing, but Two-Man Giant Squid isn’t just riding the wave—they're making it.
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