# Grumpy Tearing Down Gender and Genre Expectations

> Grumpy's new album 'Unfindable Ring' challenges gender norms and genre boundaries through trans-influenced music.
- Title: Grumpy Tearing Down Gender and Genre Expectations · NME
- Summary: Grumpy's new album 'Unfindable Ring' challenges gender norms and genre boundaries through trans-influenced music. Grumpy's album 'Unfindable Ring' blends…
- Keywords: grumpy, heaven schmitt, ellie long, unfindable ring, trans music, alternative music, indie music, brooklyn, bayonet records, zach bryan, music, culture
- Source: NME — https://nme.com/features/music-interviews/grumpy-unfindable-ring-interview-3972167
- Published: 2026-10-06T08:00:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: grumpy, heaven schmitt, ellie long, unfindable ring, trans music, alternative music, indie music, brooklyn, bayonet records, zach bryan, music, culture
## Time Travel Concept
Grumpy's song 'Twenty Five' imagines time travel to explore trans identity and love.

> The concept for that song came up at home
## Trans Love Theme
The album celebrates trans love through songs like 'Twenty Five' and 'OBL', while acknowledging love that changes shape.

> I love watching you as you’re changing
## Musical Experimentation
Grumpy blends electronica, alt-rock, and folk to push genre boundaries and foster collaboration.

> the way that they liberally smash together electronica, alt-rock and folk
## Band Composition
Grumpy is a six-piece band with all members trans except for drummer Austin Arnold.

> of whom all except for Arnold are trans
## Band Evolution
Grumpy started as a solo project with songwriter Heaven Schmitt before expanding into a full band.

> Grumpy initially began as a solo project of Schmitt’s
## Personal Journey
Schmitt transitioned from cisgender to non-binary while dating all band members except guitarist Diego Clare.

> I think the fact that I’ve dated everyone but Diego sounds like a lot of drama
## Album Creation
Grumpy recorded 'Unfindable Ring' in Brooklyn with each member contributing parts and producing.

> The six of us were present for every moment of making this album
## Musical Style
The album features AutoTune, piano ballads, and heavy grunge guitars to create diverse sounds.

> the AutoTune and vocal processing on tracks like 'Yr Bitch' and 'WTF'
## Live Performance
Schmitt aims to tour extensively in 2027 with Grumpy to showcase their music live.

> Grumpy will be getting the opportunity to test that out going into 2027
## Zach Bryan Connection
Schmitt sings backing vocals for Zach Bryan, who describes him as a 'real music discovery guy'.

> a real music discovery guy
## Key takeaway

Grumpy's album 'Unfindable Ring' blends trans identity and musical experimentation to redefine gender and genre expectations.