
Courtesy of "thearmy_thenavy" on Instagram
A BUG'S LIFE The Army, The Navy, the pop duo of Sasha Goldberg and Maia Ciambriello, unknowingly began their musical journey in her hometown of Mill Valley, California. They shared the same vocal coach and even attended the same university.
Rotting fruit. Ants scurrying across sugarcubes. Songs written in memory of dead mice.
“The Army, The Navy,” a pop duo composed of Sasha Goldberg and Maia Ciambriello, stands out among a sea of up-and-coming musicians with their surreal visuals and themes.
With intimate harmonization and thought-provoking lyrics, the duo has immersed their growing audience in a whimsical world that feels both mystical and deeply nostalgic.
Goldberg and Ciambriello unknowingly began their musical journey in their hometown, Mill Valley, California, sharing the same vocal coach and even going to the same university. With their paths intertwined from the start, the artists fostered a connection that would lead them to collaborate on creative projects in adulthood.
“Our voice coach recommended we both go to Loyola University in New Orleans and study music, which we did,” Ciambriello said. “We roomed together, and that’s really when our friendship bloomed.”
Transitioning from live performances in Louisiana’s underground music scene, the pair moved to Los Angeles, where they released their first album, “Fruit for Flies.”
With themes ranging from mourning fallen creatures to a deep yearning to return to one’s home, the album still remains connected through its motifs of insects and nature—tiny, crawling threads weaving their way through the entire project. Ciambriello attributes the artistic design of the project to visionary Lucy Black, as well as their own personal styles.
“Lucy has such a unique brain and has really built a world for our music to exist in,” she said. “We also love fashion and try to integrate that into our musical world as much as possible. I think our aesthetic is quirky, buggy, left-brained and playful.”
After spreading their sound across North America on the “Behind the Curtain Tour,” supporting Dora Jar, the duo began teasing their sister album, “Sugar for Bugs.”
Through the process of finalizing the album, the duo faced both triumphs and challenges. Some songs came together effortlessly, while others required compromise during the production stage. Nevertheless, each became a fan and personal favorite.
“‘Rascal’ and ‘Little Bug’ are our favorites, I would say,” Ciambriello stated. “‘Rascal’ was such an easy song for us to write—the lyrics and melody came so naturally to us. Sometimes I struggle during the production process because I get demoitis and miss the way the song sounded with just voices, harmonies and guitar. But we found a beautiful way to produce it while protecting its fragility, and I’m very proud of it.”
Both albums were conceived simultaneously in New Orleans, but as the duo made their way to the west coast, they were able to expand on their songwriting skills.
“Songwriting is such a muscle, and it takes so much exercising,” Ciambriello said. “I think as Sasha and I continue to mature and grow, our music will too. I love comparing our projects to each other because they encapsulate such specific moments of our lives—it’s like a little time capsule for our future selves.”
Looking toward the future, the pair plans to take their next project to a higher level—both literally and figuratively.
“I think we may move a bit away from the bug aesthetic,” Ciambriello said. “We should be entering a cosmic, larger-than-life space soon.”
In the meantime, the duo can be seen tackling their first headlining tour in North America and Europe, as well as promoting themselves on social media. Ciambriello stressed the necessity of self-promotion in the music industry, as it has been a key factor in the band’s success.
“Make the cringey TikTok. I know it sucks, but it can really work,” she said. “Be true to yourself. Put yourself out there. Take risks. Be vulnerable and work hard. But most importantly, just practice. It’s the best advice I could ever give.”
The Army, The Navy is a testament to the excellence of underground artists. As their fan base expands and careers flourish, the musical duo remains committed to refining their skills and bringing their art across — and beyond — the world.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 print edition.