In the spring of 2019, we met up with Sincere Engineer singer, guitarist, and founding member Deanna Belos in reserved room at a suburban Chicago library to record an episode of our now-defunct “My First Band” podcast. At the time, we spoke about Sincere Engineer’s still fairly new debut album, Rhombithian, and many of the unimaginable musical opportunities Belos was able to experience as a byproduct of her up-and-coming Chicago punk rock project.
In the nearly seven years since that conversation, Sincere Engineer signed to Hopeless Records and released two well-received albums on the label, toured relentlessly (including international runs), opened for many of punk’s premier acts, and headlined notable venues in Chicago and beyond. In fact, Sincere Engineer is currently wrapping up a winter tour as opening support for Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack.
Prior to her band’s appearance at The Rave/Eagles Club on Wednesday, February 11, Milwaukee Record caught up with Belos to ask about some of her favorite moments since our 2019 conversation, how the ongoing tour has been going to this point, the status of Sincere Engineer’s long-awaited fourth album, the basis of her Polar Plunge team, and what the rest of 2026 holds for her band.
Milwaukee Record: Since the last time I interviewed you at that library in Elmwood Park, Illinois way back in 2019, it seems like things have been going very well for you and Sincere Engineer as a whole. What are some of the opportunities and experiences from the last six-plus years that stand out most to you?
Deanna Belos: That feels like forever ago! We’ve definitely done a lot since then. The things that stick out to me most since then are putting out two records, tons of touring with some of our favorite bands—New Found Glory, Menzingers, Bayside—and getting to play in Europe twice now. It’s been a wild ride. Last year, I put out a little DIY documentary celebrating the 10th anniversary of the project. Getting to do a headliner at Metro was pretty wild for the Cheap Grills release show in 2023. It’s been so fun, and crazy, and we are super grateful for all the opportunities we’ve been given. And we’re looking forward to what the next 10 years looks like.
MR: Being on tour with Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack seems like another amazing opportunity. Now that you’ve crossed the halfway point of the tour, how has it been going so far? What are some of the highlights, both related to the shows and in some of the cities you’ve visited?
DB: It’s been a blast! We’ve got about six shows left. The shows have been amazing, but touring in the winter certainly has its own challenges. We’ve never really toured in January and February before, so we didn’t realize. We’ve had to keep extra eyes on the weather and we had to have the van towed out of a ditch. I had food poisoning for three days of this tour, but despite all that, we’re making it through and having fun. I think the New York show at Brooklyn Paramount was particularly wild and the venue was absolutely beautiful. The crowds have been great. We’re very excited to play Milwaukee and Chicago.
MR: How do you and your band mates handle being the touring support for two veteran bands? Is there added pressure to set the tone and win over new fans who might be seeing and hearing you for the first time?
DB: There is definitely some pressure. We just try to make sure we play good sets and be fun and engaging with the crowd. We’re fans of the bands we tour with, too, so it’s cool to share the excitement with the fans about the upcoming show from the headliners. We’ve been so fortunate to get on these awesome tours with bands we’ve loved for a long time, so we just try to have fun and enjoy it.
MR: Have there been any especially supportive audiences on this tour? Any crowds that have been tougher to win over?
DB: Everyone’s been really great. Honestly, all the audiences have been super supportive and receptive. We’ve had a bunch of folks who’ve come out to see us after seeing us in their city the last few times we’ve been around—so there’s been a nice mix of new and old fans.
MR: A few weeks before you hit the road, I saw Sincere Engineer was back in the studio. Beyond a few singles, it’s been a bit since the band released something. Can listeners expect an EP or album in the near future?
DB: Yes, it has been a while! Time is going by so fast, it’s crazy. We recorded a full record that will be out this year. I’m very excited about it. Keep an eye out for details in the coming weeks and months.
MR: It seems like you’ve already hit the ground running in 2026, but what does the rest of the year hold for Sincere Engineer?
DB: When we get home from this tour we’ll be switching into new record cycle mode. And then we’ll have some more touring this year. We’re gonna do a headlining tour and I’m not sure what else, but I’m hoping we can make it to Europe again as the full band—or finally get to Japan and/or Australia too!
MR: A non-music-related plan I know you have is to do the Polar Plunge in Chicago to support Special Olympics on March 1. I see this will be your third time taking part in that. Why is this cause important to you, and how can people support or participate?
DB: I got into doing the Plunge with my friend four years ago to support her daughter. Then three years ago, we decided to run a team together and I thought it would be fun to open it up to fans to jump with me and help spread the word, help the cause, and raise more funds for Special Children’s Charities and Special Olympics Chicago. It’s also kinda fitting because the song “Shattering” has the line “I’m gonna jump in Lake Michigan,” so it’s been a fun little thing to do that is different, not just music-related, and for a great cause. I try to make a little party out of it, and I always have team shirts made for us.
MR: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
DB: I think that’s everything! We’re excited for 2026 and the new record on the horizon and playing more shows. Keep an eye out for news and hope to see y’all out there.
Sincere Engineer will open for Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack at The Rave/Eagles Club on Wednesday, February 11.