Taken Alive

Taken Alive is an alternative emo band from Burlington, Vermont, born from a no-pressure Instagram DM. When Ruston's previous band called it quits post-pandemic, he connected with acquaintance, Joe, for a casual songwriting session that quickly turned into something more. Recording as the duo NRVS, they cut the Falling Knife EP with producer Gary Cioni. As they began playing live with a rotating cast of fill-ins, the Matches EP solidified both their sound: a blend of early Drive-Thru Records melody and modern Pure Noise heft — and their permanent lineup: with Aaron on drums and James on bass. The newly renamed Taken Alive have built a reputation for live shows that balance heavy themes with infectious, self-deprecating energy. Their debut full-length, This World Is Exhausting, was released on PNWK Records in early 2026.