About:

Small Sad Yard Sale actually started as a concept for an emo band back in 2014 when I moved from Philly to Portland — something in the world of Dntel meets Casiotone for the Painfully Alone meets Cursive. I’d already spent about twelve years playing in a bunch of different bands. I played drums (decently), bass (poorly), and synth (even worse), but none of those projects ever quite hit the sound I was chasing.

I wanted to make a true emo band — the kind of sad, weird, beautifully messy… something raw. But I was in a new city, without a kit, and without any friends yet.

I sat on the name “Small Sad Yard Sale” for a long time, finally registering the Gmail address on my birthday in 2016. Around then, I started posting on Craigslist, trying to find bandmates. I’d write stuff like:

“Pocket drummer with touring and recording experience looking to form an emo band inspired by Cursive, TGUK, Saves the Day, Alkaline Trio. Don’t currently have a kit but have a steady job, can split space, hit me up.”

It took about a month and a half before someone reached out — a guy starting a new solo project who needed a drummer. His old band had kind of the right vibe, and they even had a kit for me to use, so I joined for a bit. But eventually, personality clashes crept in and no room for creative input. I made the decision to leave the project.

Not long after, my girlfriend (now my amazing wife) got a new job in a new city, so we packed up and went on an adventure. Between the chaos of relocating, growing up, and getting engaged, other creative ventures. Music got put on the back burner.

Then COVID hit — and like that five years gone, like a blur.

During that time, things got rough. I struggled with drinking, isolation, paranoia — and eventually learned I’d been living with Borderline Personality Disorder and PTSD for almost thirty years. Therapy helped. It still helps. I’ve been in it for 3+ years now, I’ve also started managing my ADHD and happy to report I’m 3+ years alcohol sober.

Now at 39, with carpal tunnel setting in, I’ve accepted that my dreams of drumming in a band might not happen the way I imagined — and that’s okay. I never really knew what the sound was anyway. I was always just chasing it — imagining what my favorite artists’ next record might sound like, mixing styles, experimenting, and pretending my imaginary band had the perfect discography.

Small Sad Yard Sale became that band.
Your favorite band that never released a single song.
This is their merch inspired by their inspirations.

- Mike (Percussion, Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals)