The Seattle-based indie rock band Lovely Colours hasn’t been to Alaska, but their connection to the Southeast Alaska State Fair runs deep.

“I played the Haines fair when I was 13 or 14,” said 30-year-old singer and guitarist Devin Damitio. “We’re excited to come back.”

Damitio, 30, and bassist James Rosales grew up in Juneau playing music, and reconnected in 2018 after they both moved to Seattle. Damitio’s previous musical group fizzled out, and he started experimenting with new sounds and what he called “darker, more driving rock.”

“I started writing these new songs that had a new feeling and vibe, and started reaching out to friends I wanted to be part of it,” said Damitio. “My natural choice was James.”

They connected with guitarist Patrick May and drummer Steven Bingham. The group’s sound has coalesced with a high tempo, shimmering guitar riffs, and raw lyrics that take on tough topics like mental health that have been front and center during the pandemic years.

“We’re really good as a band about being open about that kind of stuff, like anxiety about performances. That takes vulnerability,” said 28-year-old May.

The quartet recently finished recording a new album they hope to release later this fall. The group already has at least a handful of new songs that it will perform at its show later this month.

“It’s like the stuff we have out, but more refined,” said May. He said the show is still a lot of fun for crowds.

“Definitely people dance. We dance. We try to have a good time,” said May.

Damitio said thematically, he’s strayed in his songwriting from relationships towards darker themes like anxiety. He said the new album is faster tempo than previous work and “more straight to the point.”

At the same time, Damitio said he wanted the lyrics to be timeless.

“This is our first album, and I wanted the lyrics to be something genuine so I can sing them forever,” he said. “Hopefully it does resonate with people.”