In between singer-songwriter acts and hard rock, there is a place that is “just fun” and “friendly in a not overly-aggressive way.”

And according to Reed Kendall, lead singer of Up the Chain, you could call it rock ‘n’ roll but calling it “neighbor rock just makes a little more sense.”

Up the Chain formed only a year ago when three veterans of the Philadelphia music scene decided to bring their trademark neighbor rock to the masses.

Although they grew up in the same city, Kendall didn’t meet bassist Noah Skaroff and drummer Kirby Sybert until much more recently.

“Philadelphia has a very tight-knit music scene,” Skaroff explained. “There’s a lot of bands that interact; a lot of people that get traded around.”

Those types of interactions led to the members meeting and collaborating.

“We had some mutual friends and just started playing in the same circles musically,” Sybert added.

Kendall said that although he had recorded solo work for several years before teaming up with Sybert and Skaroff, the trio “just kind of started from scratch about a year ago.”

The band keeps a fluidity between members’ roles, both in the creative process and in performance.

“On the recordings, there’s not really any strict rules,” Skaroff said. “Whoever is around will play whatever.”

Although Kendall’s previous material formed the band’s early foundation, now songwriting occurs as a collective process.

“In the last couple of weeks, we’ve actually been writing a lot together, all in a room throwing out a bunch of ideas, so it’s kind of an evolving process,” Skaroff shared. “Hopefully it will just continue in that direction.”

Kendall also expressed enthusiasm on the band’s developing identity.

“I usually end up writing lyrics by myself,” Kendall said. “Although the other day we were messing around doing it together for the first time which was nice.”

The band’s new EP, “Windows Into Worlds,” released Tuesday, features a few of these new collaborative pieces.

“This EP that we are putting out … it’s about fresh starts,” Kendall said. “Coincidentally the band falls right in the middle of that. I think it also has to do with fresh starts in relationships and situations and all sorts of outlets.”

The lyricism may be dedicated to new starts, but Skaroff said the band gains a lot of inspiration from its roots.

“We also spend a lot of time just listening to the people around us because Philadelphia has such a strong scene,” Skaroff said. “A lot of our friends are in some good bands that are always putting out really good recordings.”

Yet, the band’s most important feature is something entirely their own.

“I think the thing that defines us most is just the fun we have on stage,” Kendall shared. “Very loose and very fun.”

After playing countless local gigs and regional tours, Up the Chain decided to make it to New Orleans and back, stopping in Knoxville along the way.

“We all have a strong affection for New Orleans,” Kendall said. “We tour small, little three day, four day tours all the time but to go to New Orleans you gotta invest some time.”

Whether in the studio or on stage, Up the Chain hopes to leave an impression. Kendall aims to communicate “positivity,” and Sybert said, “first thing — I hope they enjoy it.”

Skaroff embraces the theme of neighbor rock by hoping their friendly vibe will project to their audience.

“I want them to come up to us afterward and say hello,” Skaroff said.

The tour may be ending, but Up the Chain is already looking ahead to their next project with no thoughts of slowing down.

“Playing shows is probably more fun in the moment,” Skaroff said, “but when you finish a day at the studio where you think you really got something cool down, that feeling lasts for a lot longer.”