Q&A: Sincere Engineer Delivers Hometown Heat at Riot Fest
FRESH OFF A BLISTERING HOMETOWN PERFORMANCE AT RIOT FEST – local punk rock fans were eagerly awaiting for a special performance by Sincere Engineer, the project of singer-songwriter Deanna Belos. A mainstay in the city’s punk scene, Belos’ music – an infectious blend of fiery punk-pop, emo and folk – was one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. For Sincere Engineer, this homecoming at Riot Fest on Saturday, September 21, marked a milestone moment in their growing career.
Belos, who performs under the nom de plume Sincere Engineer, is known for her raw, heartfelt lyrics and a sound that echoes the nostalgia of early 2000s pop punk. Songs like “Corn Dog Sonnet No. 7” and “Trust Me” balance humor and vulnerability, giving fans a unique emotional experience. With her signature punky wit and unfiltered honesty, Belos writes songs that capture the confusion, humor and heartache of navigating adulthood.
This year’s Riot Fest holds extra weight for Sincere Engineer. It's not just another festival slot – it's a celebration of Chicago, the city that shaped Belos as an artist. Growing up immersed in the city's vibrant punk and DIY scenes, Belos found her voice in the venues and basements that define Chicago's alternative music culture.
Sincere Engineer’s live performances are known for their high-energy, crowd-singalong moments that inspire a deep sense of community. Fans at Riot Fest experienced a set full of passionate vocals, fast-paced guitar riffs, and heartfelt lyrics that will leave an imprint long after the final chord. The hometown atmosphere undoubtedly elevated the energy of the performance, with Chicago fans eager to cheer on one of their own.
Sincere Engineer’s Deanna Belos sat down with Luna for an exclusive deep dive, reflecting on the band's journey over the past year since the release of their acclaimed album Cheap Grills and how it feels to play Chicago’s iconic festival. In this interview, Belos opens up about the professional evolution the band has experienced, what it means to play in front of a hometown crowd and how they prepare for such monumental moments.
LUNA: Thank you for sitting down and talking to Luna. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar yet, what kind of atmosphere or emotional space do you aim to create for your listeners?
DEANNA: We try to incorporate a lot of fun and upbeat elements. We’re a pop-punk band, so our live shows are where our energy really comes alive and it’s really fun. We also have slower, emotional songs so we have everything for our listeners.
LUNA: Exactly a year ago you released your Cheap Grills record and I love the powerful curation of songs and how you push boundaries within your own sound. How do you feel you’ve matured as artists and storytellers since the release of this record?
DEANNA: We have played so much since then. We've done a lot of touring since it came out, and we definitely got better as a band and ourselves. I tried to step it up lyrically, and I hope it shows through.
LUNA: Were there any specific breakthroughs or lessons you learned while creating Cheap Grills that have carried over to your future releases and projects?
DEANNA: I think songwriting-wise, we worked with a new producer for this record. We learned a lot about that side of things, and working with him taught us a lot about the creative process that we haven’t been able to touch on or explore in depth before. I’m really excited to work with him for upcoming releases and see what we can create.
LUNA: Looking back at Cheap Grills a year later, how do you feel about the album and its impact?
DEANNA: I'm still stoked on it. It feels like it came out yesterday. I can't believe how much time has gone by. I still love playing the songs and being able to introduce our music and energy to new audiences during tour runs and festivals.
LUNA: Riot Fest is known for its unique and lively atmosphere. How does it feel to perform at such a celebrated festival, especially in your hometown of Chicago?
DEANNA: It's amazing. The hometown crowd really comes out for us, we're super grateful for the response we had yesterday was insane and surreal. Our scene is really supportive and you see familiar faces at so many shows. The energy is always amazing. The best festival, the community is amazing, and there's a little bit something for everyone here. We’re super grateful to be playing in our hometown and playing for new and returning listeners.
LUNA: With so many bands and genres at Riot Fest, how do you make sure your set stands out and connects with both new and familiar audiences?
DEANNA: We try to make a set that's going to be fun the whole time. We want to make it high energy and for everyone to find a comfortable space to let loose and have fun. We didn't have a lot of time this time, so we did all the good festival songs to dance and go crazy too so everyone can enjoy and dance that energy out. We had the corn dog circle pit, which was so much fun.
LUNA: Do you have any pre-show rituals that help you get into the right headspace before hitting the stage at a festival like Riot Fest?
DEANNA: We listen to some ridiculous stuff and get all pumped. Then we do shots of tequila, and then we do like a basketball huddle and put our hands in the middle and hype each other up.
LUNA: You’re part of Chicago’s hard rock scenes. What do you love most about this scene? How would you describe the energy and the people that go to your shows or listen to your music?
DEANNA: Chicago's amazing. It's the best place to start a band, because there's shows every night. There's venues everywhere, and everyone's super supportive. Our fans are so nice and amazing, and they really get into it, and that brings out a better show out of us, and we're super appreciative of that.
LUNA: Do you have any favorite songs to play live? Which ones are they and why do you enjoy performing them?
DEANNA: Right now it has to be “Anemia,” which is the new record opener. There's a bridge in it that has a whole story to it and I think the crowd likes it too. There's a rock out part, and then there's a head swaying part. It's very fun to play.
LUNA: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like for you that you would like to share with Luna?
DEANNA: I feel good. After playing bigger shows and festivals, it feels very awesome and really affirming to see how much support we had, feels like you're doing something right. We're going out on tour with New Found Glory in October, and we're doing some shows with Taking Back Sunday on the East Coast in December. Everything feels so exciting and we’re very stoked. I'm going to have two new acoustic songs come out this year and we’re working on new music, so hopefully more touring and maybe a record next year.
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