Midniter issues ‘Alarmist’ video-single via SugarTank! – Authoritarianism is closing in
Midniter
Charlotte, NC-based indie-electronic artist Midniter has released the new single and video “Alarmist” via SugarTank! Records. The track fuses dark pop and indie-electronic elements and is the latest release for the project of Charlotte-based musician Nic Pugh.
Pugh (who is part of the LGBTQ community) says this about the new single: “I wrote ‘Alarmist’ in January, around the inauguration of Donald Trump as President for his second time. It doesn’t take much detective work to connect it to the lyrics. My anxiety was through the roof at that time, and I know most people in my community – whether it be the LGBTQ or local creative community – felt similar, if not the same. The opening lines are a true testament to that anxious, almost claustrophobic feeling.”
The video was directed and edited by Yawn Productions. The video shifts between images of jailhouse brutality and ritualistic zeal before entering psychedelic animation by Mexican mixed-media artist Arturo Baston. “I wanted the imagery to reflect a bit of what’s currently happening here in the States,” Pugh adds, specifically citing concerns about immigration policy and its alignment with certain religious ideologies.
On the day of release, Nic Pugh was also interviewed for Kurt Orzeck’s ‘On Tyranny’ series at The Bad Penny. You can watch the interview below. Pugh talks about how to live in an increasingly authoritarian climate in the U.S. He discusses personal anxiety, queer and creative-community experiences, and how these pressures form his work.
About Midniter
This is the indie-electronic project of Charlotte-based musician Nic Pugh, and it was formed in January 2024 after nearly two decades performing in punk and rock-and-roll outfits. Pugh previously played in Paint Fumes on bass during the “Real Romancer” period, and on guitar in Jaggermouth, before pivoting to electronic songwriting under the Midniter moniker.
The project released the single “Shoot the Moon” on August 15, 2025, through SugarTank! Records, with a video by Natalie Carr and Yawn Productions. “Alarmist” followed on October 27, 2025.
About SugarTank! Records
SugarTank! Records was launched in 2024 in Charlotte by Nic Pugh and Nic Holman to support LGBTQ+ artists through releases and events.
The mission of the label is explained as follows: “We are lending our hands and using our experience as musicians to push the boundaries of creative collaboration, building on Charlotte’s rich music history to cultivate new possibilities for artists in city that we love, and beyond!”
The label launched publicly in September 2024 around SugarTank! Fest ‘24, which doubled as the release event for the compilation “Carolina Compost Vol. 1.” The compilation featured artists from across the Carolinas, including Comino, Pretty Baby, Midniter, Natalie Carr, Pie Face Girls, BANGZZ, Zeta, Feyleux, Woody, Darby Wilcox, Dirty Flowers, Kadey Ballard, Top Achiever, and Dexter Jordan. The festival itself hosted 12 acts across three Plaza Midwood venues.
In 2025 the label rolled out a 45RPM “Splits” 7″ series with showcase gigs in Charlotte. Releases include “Girl Brutal x Pie Face Girls” and “WOODY x Dirty Flowers” (a 7″, released September 12, 2025).
SugarTank! has of course also issued digital singles by Midniter, including “Shoot the Moon” (August 15, 2025) and “Alarmist”.
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