Emo pop-punk band, Into Sunday, is not afraid of the dark. In fact, they embrace it. 

Founded in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the band has been making its mark on the local scene, exploring the gritty and emotional aspects of music since its members’ early days attending Coughlin High School. 

Growing up, Into Sunday lead singer, Taylor Chronowski, and drummer, Matt Ceklosky, bonded over their mutual love of emo bands and alternative music—specifically, iconic pop-punk band Blink-182. Their shared passion for the genre eventually led to them forming the band, as well as a lifelong friendship.  

The group also credits Ceklosky for their distinctive name, with him being the first to point out its full potential. 

“We were playing in my basement, and it was Saturday night, because we always could only practice on Saturday nights,” says Ceklosky. “And since we could only practice then, we’d just play really late, I’d say until two in the morning.” 

“So, Saturday into Sunday: Into Sunday,” responds Chronowski. 

Over the years, the group has experienced its fair share of changes, saying goodbye to two former bandmates and original members, Gavin Baranski and Emma Connelly, marking the beginning of a whole new musical era for the band.  

“So, I guess that’s kind of where I come in,” says Max Prehl, bass player and newest addition to the group. 

Following Connelly’s departure, Prehl entered the band’s orbit, as both a long-standing fan and a perfect fit for the group.

“I was playing music all through high school and college—like, classical strings—and then once I graduated, and that was kind of out of my life, it was like an identity crisis, where I realized I don’t have music in my life anymore,” Prehl explains. “And that’s the point at which I started picking up guitar. I started going to Taylor’s shows all the time, and I started following the band more closely, to the point that it became a part of my life and filled that void for me.”

Ceklosky remembers the events well. “Back then, I remember meeting [Max], and he was like, ‘Do you need help unloading, loading up?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, sure man,’ and I didn’t expect him to be in the band,” laughs Ceklosky. “He kind of just snuck his way in there.”

“He really did,” adds Chronowski. “Actually, it’s funny, when we recorded [our last album], he was in the studio most days when we were recording. He actually recorded a cello part on the song called ‘Lullaby,’ and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life. So, Max has been a part of Into Sunday for a really long time, as a fan and a friend.” 

In 2024, Into Sunday put out their first full-length album titled Joy, following the release of four singles: “Wasted Time,” “Some Things Never Change,” “All for Affection,” and “Bang.” 

Now, in the early stages of developing their next album, and their first project as a trio, the band reflects on where they’ve been and where they’re going, finding their stride as a group, and venturing even deeper into the dark, untouched corners of music and songwriting. 

“[The album] is not leaning in the direction of hardcore, yet,” emphasizes Chronowski. “But, it’s definitely leaning in the direction of more of the same that we did on the last album, just heavier, darker, maybe not more depressing, but just heavier and darker stuff. Just because I think that there’s a lot more there. I think there’s a lot more to explore. You can hear a pop song on the radio and forget about it the next day. […] I think that there are way better ways to express emotions, and way better ways to express yourself in that darker aspect of music, so I think that’s what we’re gunning for.”

“You’re catching us at a really exciting time in our process right now, because we’re really working on a ton of new ideas,” Prehl admits. “So, for us, we just see so much stuff ahead that’s really exciting. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit to release, but we’ve been trialing some songs and shows and stuff, and it’s going really well.”

Along with all-time favorite Blink-182, the band takes inspiration from pivotal alternative-punk voices like Drug Church, Movements, My Chemical Romance, and honorable mention, Weezer. 

In terms of the genre as a whole, the group also expresses the personal impact of finding a home within the emo pop-punk community, as well as its important role within the greater cultural landscape.   

“I wasn’t in the community when I was younger, but I loved that kind of music,” shares Ceklosky. “And then the older I got, the more I got into it, especially with the band. And it just felt like a place to belong. I think, especially now that we’re in a band, I feel like we can give that to other people, and I look forward to just bringing people together.”

Ceklosky continues, “I think that’s another part of it—the strength of community. Because there’s AI music and stuff coming out, and I can talk about how much I hate that for a while, but I just think this community, especially, is like, ‘No, we’re going to make real music. We’re going to have real people connect and feel like they mean something, and have value, and purpose.’” 

And when it comes to their own sound, the band is determined to create music that resonates with listeners by inspiring raw emotion, hope, and perhaps most of all, a sense of connection—even if it extends to just one person.  

“I want them to be able to connect with the songs, because that’s how I feel when I’m at a Blink-182 concert,” says Chronowski. “Like, I’m singing my heart out, and I’m feeling everything. And when people listen to our music, that’s what I want them to feel. I want them to also feel like they’re not alone. Like everything is going to work out, and it’ll be okay.”

“Yeah, I think for us, or for me at least, it’s just really awesome to know that there are people out there that feel the same way we do,” adds Prehl. “And it’s positive for them, and it’s positive for us. Like, it’s a mutual relationship between the artist and the listener. So, for me, at least, that’s really critical for keeping us going and really helping motivate us to keep doing what we’re doing.” 

“We’ll get one random person that will send us a message or leave a comment on something, and it’s like, ‘Oh, this song really made me feel like this,’ and that means a lot, it really does,” says Ceklosky. “That really just makes everything feel good. Like, for a whole day, you just think about that, and it really changes things. I’d rather one person say that they felt something through one of our songs rather than a bunch of people tell us, ‘You guys make great music.’ At the end of the day, I really don’t care about making great music. I care about the connection and finding people who really relate, or just feel something through it.” 

So, what does the future look like for Into Sunday? Aside from working on their next album, the band is open to the possibilities of potential collaborations or even taking part in a festival down the road. 

But one thing is for certain: they’re in it for the long haul. 

“I mean, we’re a family, that’s what it is,” expresses Chronowski. “It’s not just, ‘We’re three people in a band.’ There’s a brotherhood. So, we’re a family, we’re a vibe. We’re going to take the ride as long as we can, and just keep going.” 

Photos courtesy of Into Sunday | Interviewed February 18, 2026