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Rising from San Diego’s ocean cliffs with a genre-bending sound, 3rd Borough is preparing to release their new single Blood Like Yours on September 25, 2025, ahead of their full-length album The Human Quest. Backed by a Halloween-themed documentary and vampire-inspired visuals, the track positions the band at the crossroads of indie pop rock, hip-hop grit, and cinematic storytelling.First conceived in 2015, Blood Like Yours began as a late-night idea between band founders Justin Werner and Apaulo8 (Paul Kipling). “This song was actually written back in 2015. Paul was living down in Imperial Beach, and I was in Claremont. We decided to create a Halloween-themed trilogy. The first song we came up with was ‘Blood Like Yours,’” says Werner. The process was fast and instinctive: “The song pretty much wrote itself in about 45 minutes,” he recalls.Originally born from electronic beats and a minimalist setup, the track has since transformed into a full-band performance. “Over time, it evolved into this indie pop rock sound,” Werner explains. Each member of 3rd Borough adds their own layers: Mark Boyce brings blues and gospel textures, bassist Ibo Rodriguez contributes a broad perspective shaped by formal training in Puerto Rico, Apaulo8 infuses hip-hop and rap elements, guitarist Dono Fox (Donovan) delivers technical precision, and drummer Arkhota (Argel Cota) provides versatile rhythms. “It’s a melting pot of influences that make the sound unique,” Werner notes.For Apaulo8, the track’s impact lies in its balance. “Music for us is about yin and yang. We want positive messages, but we also embrace darkness. That balance lets us create something edgy yet lighthearted. For Blood Like Yours, we drew inspiration from The Lost Boys movie—something fun but haunting, appealing to kids and adults alike.”The single also comes to life visually with a vampire-themed music video and a Halloween documentary. “It covers the whole process: how we created the music video, interviews with band members, the making of the album, and behind-the-scenes footage,” Apaulo8 explains. For Werner, revisiting vampire mythology was a chance to refresh a timeless archetype. “Vampires have been portrayed as romantic, monstrous, murderous—it’s evolved. With Blood Like Yours, we leaned toward a romantic take. It’s basically a love song in a Halloween costume.”Though the single may stand out as a seasonal anthem, the band stresses that their forthcoming album, The Human Quest, goes much further. “The Human Quest is about the ups and downs of being human. Blood Like Yours stood out—it felt powerful, like a hit, so we pushed it as a single. The album itself spans many genres because some songs were written 10 to 15 years ago,” Apaulo8 shares. Werner adds, “We believe in divine timing. Unlike bands that write 50 songs and pick 12, we wrote around 20 and chose the best by intuition.”For Apaulo8, the most rewarding moment comes with “the final product, after all the revisions, when everyone is happy and we hear that polished version.” Werner’s favorite part is the connection with listeners: “For me, it’s when someone hears the finished song for the first time and appreciates it. That’s why we do this, because music can inspire others.”With The Human Quest on the horizon, 3rd Borough hopes listeners find both individuality and unity in their music. “We want it to be personal, yet unifying,” says Werner. “Everyone feels something different, but we all move to the same rhythm. That’s the beauty of music.”About 3rd Borough
From San Diego’s moonlit cliffs, 3rd Borough creates a powerful blend of indie pop rock and hip-hop’s raw energy. Founded in Ocean Beach, the six-member collective—Justin Werner, Apaulo8 (Paul Kipling), Ibo Rodriguez, Mark Boyce, Arkhota (Argel Cota), and Dono Fox (Donovan)—weaves anthems of longing and rebellion. Their sound fuses soaring melodies with gritty beats, shaped by a wide spectrum of influences. Their upcoming single, Blood Like Yours(September 25, 2025), leads into their full album The Human Quest and a Halloween 2025 documentary. A nocturnal tribe with sharp lyrics and haunting melodies, 3rd Borough invites listeners worldwide to join their journey across all major streaming platforms.

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