fiction company

Fiction Company is an indie electronic rock band whose music blends atmospheric synth-pop, alternative rock, and emotionally charged songwriting into a cinematic, unmistakably original sound. Formed in Los Angeles by longtime collaborators Bobby Rodriguez and Joey Valdepena, the group's music is built on evocative melodies, layered production, and introspective lyrics that explore memory, loss, love, and personal transformation.

Although Rodriguez and Valdepena first crossed paths briefly in New York during the late 1990s, it wasn't until they reunited in Los Angeles that Fiction Company took shape. Their debut album, Maps & Measures, introduced a thoughtful and intimate musical identity. Reflecting on the album's title, Rodriguez described it as "where you are and where you've been"—a metaphorical compass for measuring both personal growth and the band's artistic evolution. One of the album's emotional centerpieces, "Dark of the Day," was inspired by the tragic loss of Valdepena's brother. Written during a period of profound grief, the song contrasts bright summer imagery with deep emotional darkness, resulting in one of the band's most moving and deeply personal compositions.

For their sophomore release, Company Ink, Rodriguez and Valdepena, joined by collaborator Dan Horne, expanded their sonic palette with a richly textured blend of vintage synthesizers, analog drum machines, soulful bass lines, and expressive guitar work. Developed over three years, the album builds upon the minimalist electronic foundation established on earlier recordings, including "Design," while embracing a fuller, more dynamic production. Bobby Rodriguez and Dan Horne's melodic pop instincts are balanced by Valdepena's haunting vocals and enigmatic lyricism, creating music that is both melancholic and uplifting.

Fiction Company has also earned recognition through placements on several notable soundtracks, including Napoleon Dynamite, featuring "Design," Blood & Chocolate, with their interpretation of Billy Idol's "Flesh for Fantasy," and Mun Compilado I, featuring a cover of "Spirit in the Sky." Their contribution to the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack helped the album receive a Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album, further establishing Fiction Company as a distinctive voice in modern indie music.