Ringards – Stubborn Stain
Occasionally the most honest songs emerge from the messiest situations, and Ringards’ ‘Stubborn Stain’ is Exhibit A in that particular courtroom of human folly. French-born, LA-raised Enzo Salinie crafted this track during what he diplomatically calls a “confusing phase” – though the backstory reads more like a masterclass in relationship mathematics gone wrong.
The song sprouted from a peculiar ultimatum: his partner needed exactly thirty days to determine if their year-long relationship deserved continued investment. Spoiler alert – it didn’t, citing “different perceptions of stability” as the deal-breaker. Enzo, displaying either admirable optimism or concerning denial, knew the outcome from day one yet still rushed to complete and release the track before the countdown expired.
A barbed slice of pop-edged indie emerged that doesn’t sugarcoat the aftermath. The lyrics weave mundane details, expired passports, Ford Fiestas, hair dye experiments, and the brutal honesty of someone “hurting for someone who cannot feel”.
Ringards themselves formed through similar serendipity. What began as a Join My Band post connecting Salinie with Irish bassist Gary Cartmill evolved into a six-piece ensemble featuring multi-instrumentalist Jasper Eade, drummer Noah Haines, guitarist Wil Smith, and keyboardist Albi Toniolo. Their name translates to “out of fashion” in French – perhaps a preemptive strike against critics or refreshing self-awareness.
The band’s live shows reportedly blur performance with pandemonium, which seems fitting for material this emotionally unvarnished. Fresh off their Panache Records signing, they’re readying a debut album while building on buzz from London, Paris, and Electric Picnic appearances.
Enzo frames the track as addressing “the dirty post rupture pain coming from the ego”, teaching listeners to face reality rather than chase illusions. Fair enough, though one suspects the real lesson might be simpler: when someone asks for a month to think about you, start writing songs immediately.
