There’s a bit of confusion when it comes to defining the sound of Baldwin City’s homegrown band, Sweet Ascent. The guitarist says they sound like polka dubstep, Sweet Ascent’s bassist says it’s “pop rock with breakdowns,” and the lead singer says “we don’t suck.”

“Music isn’t all that objective,” lead singer Jordan Rebman said, after being laughed at by his bandmates. “When it comes down to it, it’s all about taste. A lot of the artists I like, I can say they don’t suck. I’m not going to say we are awesome, I can’t say we are everyone’s cup of tea, but I can say that we don’t suck.”

The band, which takes inspiration from bands like Blink 182, will perform at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the Bottleneck in Lawrence.

Guitarist Jon Eddy and Rebman were neighbors when they started Sweet Ascent. It started out with just one song, but when that turned out well, they made another. And when the second turned out better, they realized they might have a talent for making music.

After bringing in Baker senior and bassist Mike Wilson and drummer Dustin Worden, the group began producing music and has toured throughout the Midwest but hopes to keep expanding within the music industry.

“I think some of us are under the understanding that we’ll go as far as it takes us,” Eddy said. “We know we can’t make it happen, we can’t choose our destiny. But we are willing to put in our hearts and time and whatever it takes, and we’ll have fun along the way.”

At first, getting rejection was hard for the band. But the group members realize that they have to learn from their experiences to grow.

Their producer, who has produced for bands such as Never Shout Never and The Ready Set, told the men that they have to set themselves apart from the rest. Wilson believes that their talent starts with Eddy and Rebman’s lyrics, which were described as inspiring.

“The lyrics are more uplifting. They speak about personal feelings and it’s more substantial,” Wilson said. “I hope to get the whole cake, and I want to see this go all the way. I’m staying hopeful.”

Wilson believes that the harder the men work, the more they will get out of the experience. The band practices as often as possible, which is difficult with the members’ busy schedules.

But their effort has paid off. The band will release its new album, called Hopeless Dreamers, on Oct. 22.

“The new CD is the accumulation of a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Rebman said. “That isn’t an exaggeration. It’s been a long time coming. The excitement we have for this album and this show is huge.”

The show at the Bottleneck is a kickoff for the album, and Rebman urges people to come, saying that the concert will be a night to remember.

“That excitement will show,” Rebman said. “This has all been a warm up of what Sweet Ascent can do and this show is the time of it. It’ll be more than just music being played. It’ll be a show. No, it’ll be a party.”