I am in love with your new single “Fading Out”! Can you share the story behind this song and a bit about your songwriting process? Ned: The song came from lockdown, feeling out of place and born in the wrong time I wrote this song to not only express this feeling, but to connect with listeners who have also felt this way during the global pandemic or in general life. The chorus gives a lonesome melancholic atmosphere, the lyrics coming to the title of the song and the vocals expressing their feeling, one of loss and disappearance, fading out. The 3rd verse moves the timeline along, showing the sun has started to rise, a powerful sight that affects the viewer, singer and therefore listener. How was your experience studying at the Purcell School of Music? Ned: Purcell was an incredible time for me. Whilst studying there you are completely submersed in music, studying, listening, playing absolutely everything. You also get so many opportunities with a wide variety of choice, from performance, writing, teaching, outreach work there was always so much to do! I was also very lucky to have made a lot of incredibly talented friends who continue to amazing and inspire me to this day! Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to your music? Ned: When it comes to music I’ve always tried to keep an open mind and embrace/learn something from everything, that’s not to say I don’t have my opinions/dislikes on certain types but I try not to dismiss stuff before I give it a chance! My big influences come from a mix of the true great guitarist and songwriters. Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many many others guitarist will always be a monumental inspiration to me, set a bar higher than I could ever achieve but one I’ll always strive to! Then the likes of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, their poetry through song is always something that astounds me day in day out. I’m also a super fan of John Mayer, Coldplay, Radiohead, all these guys to me are just complete genius’ in their own inimitable styles! A huge thing for me in music and all art is accepting yourself and making that your sound, by all means wear your influence on your sleeve and let them shine, but all of the artists I look up to sound like themselves and no one else whilst also openly admitting how much they were influenced by their heroes! If you had to pick out of all the instruments you play, which would be your favorite and why? Ned: This is 100% guitar, I started with classical violin when I was 4 and I absolutely loved it, it’s where my passion for music came from and I will always hold it close to my heart, but when I started playing guitar I’d never experienced a feeling like it, I truly felt like I’d found what I was meant to do, like I’d found home! What do you think is the greatest album of all time? A record you can listen to front to back, with no skips! Ned: Well that’s just an impossible question! There are so many unbelievable albums, all have their different reasons to take that spot! Jimi Hendrix’ Bold As Love is just a ridiculous album, everything from the guitar to the lyrics, the voice to the production is just unbelievable especially for the time, it still holds up and stands out today! John Mayers Where The Light Is live album absolutely blew me away and still does. I remember first hearing it and just being in shock thinking ‘wow…. So that’s how it’s meant to be done!’. There are 2 albums I know I have listened through thousands of times and I know I will to a thousand times more and NEVER get bored, Coldplay’s Parachutes is outstanding, I don’t think it gets enough credit in the music world for just how good it really is! Fantastic songwriting, incredible work in the studio to take each song from being well written to a true work of art and the vocals have this thing that just hits the soul. The other one I’ve listened to since I was tiny is Keane’s Hopes and Fears, another album that just gets me every time, one I can listen through then hit repeat and go around again and again! What can we expect from your upcoming self-titled EP? I can’t wait to hear it!! Ned: This EP means a great deal to me, born out of a sensitive place during lockdown it’s how I coped with everything going on in the world and I hope it helps other people deal and process their emotions as it did for me! It takes a bit of a different turn to the music I’ve released in the past, don’t want to give too much away of course so I’ll jus have to leave you with the fact that I am incredibly excited to hear what you all think and it’s very much the start of something new! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW NED:

After your last single, I was so excited to hear what you would release next and “Baby I Would Want You” definitely did not disappoint! How did this new track come to be and what was the songwriting process like? Blake: Why, thanks! So this particular song came quickly––in just a couple of days in fact, as the quick ones usually do for me: melody first. Once I had those melodies and the form, the lyrics followed quickly too. It’s an “apocalyptic love song” as I’ve been explaining it. Essentially it says, “if the world were coming to an end right now, I’d want to be with you as it does.” It’s surprisingly light hearted, actually! At what age did you get the so-called “music bug”? Were you hooked from the start and knew you wanted to make a career out of it or was it more progressive? Blake: I’ve never wanted to do anything else, in truth. From the moment I started playing the piano at age four, I’ve never loved doing anything remotely as much as making music. I started out on a path to be a concert pianist, but then Rock ’n Roll took me by the throat and that was it for me. My first band gig was at CBGB’s down the street from where I grew up and I was just 13 (but looked like I was six, I was so small for my age) and the club wouldn’t let me in. So we smuggled me into the club inside our drummer’s bass drum case (we took the drum out first, thank goodness). Just as the show started, I jumped out and got up on stage. My career has really blossomed since then, if for no other reason than now when I arrive at the venue I’m performing at that night, I actually walk through the door on my own two feet. Progress. If you could describe your music style to someone who’s never heard any of your discography before, what would you tell them? Blake: I’d tell them that artists are what they eat, and I’ve eaten a lot of The Beatles, The Police, Punch Brothers, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Soundgarden, Bjork, and Chopin. Can you tell us a bit about the independent global-music company you founded, ECR Music Group? Blake: I started the record label on my laptop, and it’s grown in the years since to become a really cool, truly independent, global music company. You can go to https://www.ecrmusicgroup.com/about-ecr-music-group/ to read the full story, but after I’d fought my way out of my multi-album major-label record deal, I never wanted to go through that again––and I never wanted anyone I worked with to go through that at all––so I built a record label I’d want to be on. One where all the artists own their own masters, and the label invests time, energy, and money in winning an audience for those artists. We done just that, and during the most difficult years in music history to do so. We have a vibrant roster of artists, and another roster of imprints (smaller labels) that have their own artist rosters, for which we provide infrastructure, and a larger umbrella of resources than they’d normally not have. It’s exciting. I love everything you have done for the music industry not only with your music, but with your activism as well. What inspired you to create the #IRespectMusic campaign? Can you tell us a bit about the independent global-music company you founded, ECR Music Group? Blake: It was born from an editorial I wrote in The Huffington Post which had become their most-widely read music article that year. I ended the piece with the words “I respect music,” and it started to spread. I’d made headlines as an artist advocate by then already, but those three words really become iconic, quite to my surprise, and quite quickly. Soon after I launched a site (IRespectMusic.org) with a petition urging the United States Congress to support artist pay for radio play (the USA is the only democratic country in the world where artists don’t get paid for radio airplay, shocking but true), and we got nearly 15,000 signatures. Today, we have great news: a new Congressional bill, The American Music Fairness Act, has been introduced which would, if passed and signed by the President, close this ridiculous loophole and get artists paid when their work is on the radio. It’s a thrilling moment, but we have to keep up the pressure––if you want to help, go to the website and sign the petition to Congress, it really helps! What can we expect from your new album “Violent Delights” dropping May 20, 2022? I’m genuinely so excited to hear the rest of what I know will be an amazing record :) Blake: How lovely of you––I’m genuinely excited about it too, I confess. I feel strongly that it’s my best record to date, it’s certainly my favorite record I’ve made to date, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. When I was in the studio working on it, I knew I wanted it to evoke a time in music when big melodies and Rock ’n Roll poured out of the car stereo, with bite and optimism, combined. There’s a post-punk element to this record, a power-pop one too. It’s kind of like if The Police’s album ‘Ghost In The Machine’ and AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ had a kid, well that kid would be my new record. We’re in a dark time, one I hope we’re now emerging from. I think this new record will bring a welcome smile to people’s faces, and perhaps put a fist or two in the air as well. Yeah! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW BLAKE:

“Always On The Run” is an upbeat pop song warning others away since time with them is fleeting when he’s “always on the run”. Though born in Brazil, Call Me Dio has lived in countries like Italy, Portugal, and now, London. Moving time and time again, neighborhood after neighborhood, always forming new friends and fleeting connections. In such a state of flux, Call Me Dio wonders who to call his best man or wife when he’s moving miles away in just a few days. This tumultuous lifestyle is hard enough for any adult, but for a child that’s just learning about the world, it’s definitely left its lasting marks, but Call Me Dio is all the stronger for them. Besides the infectious hook and descriptive storytelling, the spotlight of this track shines on the epic guitar solo. Though this song is upbeat, it also carries a degree of sadness, especially within the lyrics. Since Call Me Dio looked to showcase “the dark/sad side of growing up on the road where bad/good things constantly happen”, you can hear the emotion in his voice as he sings how he’s always on the run, never wanting to build anything because when he leaves, it’ll all fade into nothing. Call Me Dio looks to create honest yet powerfully soothing music. At a young age, experiencing so much turmoil in his life only allows him to draw upon his experiences when creating realistic portrays for others to connect to. He looks to boldly use his poetic sounds to push the message of equality and freedom, using his introspective lyrics to form a camaraderie among those traversing through life together. All of his songs, from brooding indie tracks to danceable pop beats, contain and confront personal memories to inspire him and others to trudge on into the night, weary, but comforted by the thought that they’re not in this alone. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW CALL ME DIO:

What’s going to happen next? Maybe you’ve just had a watershed moment in your life. Graduation, moving to a new city, finding a love interest, even becoming a new version of yourself...the list goes on! When these things happen, the question of “What do I do now ?” comes up. That can quickly lead to anxiety over what the future holds. ‘turn out fine’ by The Astronomers (with sammy rash) is reassurance to you that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. So, why worry? Take time to enjoy the journey to your next destination and keep following your ambitions! What really hooks me on this song is the groovy alt-pop soundscape. Comprised of anywhere between distorted keyboard synths, finger snaps, and tight-knit background vocals, it’s certainly ear-pleasing. The two voices in this collaboration blend together incredibly well. At the same time, they’re equally captivating on their own. The story is beautifully vivid, encompassing detailed core memories and daydreams of the future. This song’s heartwarming message is definitely the best part! Even in stark circumstances, there’s a resolution just waiting to make itself known. Look forward to it! Fond du Lac, Wisconsin duo The Astronomers are redefining the alt-pop genre with experimental flair. Made up of Ben Baker and Michael Stensland, their breakout debut, ‘Overthinking’ has made them a prominent competitor in the arena. In fact, they’ve just hit 100,000 followers on Spotify. Their work with renowned vocalist sammy rash on ‘turn out fine’ is a prime example of their outside-the-box ingenuity. With so much appeal, there’s no denying that we need more music from them! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW THE ASTRONOMERS: FOLLOW SAMMY:

“Radio” is a song about TITUS BANK and the love he has with his wife. The song came together as he talked abut how only the love that could rival that of his and his wife’s, were the songs and artists on the radio. The song explores all the awkward stages they went through at a young age. I think this tune is a great example of what love actually looks like. It wasn’t some grand romantic gesture or some classic fake material thing. Their love was awkward and bumpy and real. The love that BANK shows, is what real love is like, and it could rival anything that is sung on the radio. The melodic lines of “Radio” are filled with song drum set, guitar and synths, making for a heavy set up of beats that are catchy and in your face. The drum set really drives the bass for the most part and sets a steady tempo for the tune. I think the guitar’s chord progression is nice to focus on during the chorus, while the guitar is prominent during the whole song, it’s really fun during the chorus. I couldn’t pick a favorite line of lyrics from this song but I loved how the phrase “I wish…” was repeated and used multiple times. I think it shows how often times we wish we were different and be some kind of star in a relationship. But “Radio” is a reminder that we don’t have to be the most popular, best dressed, or richest to love. You can have real love through being just who you are. TITUS BANK, while relatively new to the pop music scene, has already found success with his alt-pop hits. With two singles out, they have both received praise from BBC radio and also massive International support. TITUS BANK currently has over 35,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and has 5 singles and two EPs out. Stay tuned for his upcoming EP that will be released later this summer! TITUS BANK isn’t one to miss! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW TITUS BANK:

Wow! Your new song "Underbelly" and its accompanying music video are really powerful and the music video displays a lot of vulnerability. What is the story behind this song? Joyeur: Thank you so much. This song is exposing yourself to someone despite the fear of rejection and hurt. You become vulnerable to attack and abandonment, but by revealing your underbelly, you allow someone to really see you—to really love you. Shedding layers of trauma and fear is so liberating, but it takes courage to love yourself and let someone love you. The video really personifies that. In the past, you've mentioned your struggles with rediscovering your voice. What did that journey teach you about yourself and your goals as an artist? Joyeur: Losing my voice was like losing myself. I’ve always sung, but when it became technical for me, I developed a mental block. It taught me that I’d rather be imperfect than not sing at all. I’d rather be present, than perfect. Getting out of my head was getting out of my own way—and I think that’s the case with my career. Visualize and get out of the way. With frequent collaboration with Anna Feller, how have you developed alongside each other, both as individuals and professional partners, in the industry? Joyeur: Anna and I definitely found more creative freedom in the last 2 years while making this album. Being separated by Covid challenged how we collaborated and we each had to lean into our strengths which enabled us to feel more empowered creatively both as individuals and as partners. What has your experience been like as part of the LA music scene? Joyeur: Ironically, I had felt somewhat isolated as a musician in LA until Covid. During the pandemic, I started connecting more with fellow artists online. I feel like there’s a huge awakening in artists right now—an understanding of the value of art, community, and the creator economy. It’s a pretty powerful time to be an artist! When did you know you wanted to be an artist? Joyeur: I can’t remember not wanting to be an artist. I’ve been pretending to sing the national anthem at the Olympics since I was a kid! I recorded my first EP at 12, but had a traumatic experience and withdrew from music until my twenties. What do you like to do outside of music? Joyeur: I’m arts and crafts obsessed. So you’ll find me making a top out of scrunchies or bejeweling objects in my house. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW JOYEUR:

Human emotion is such an overwhelming force, and it can be a beautiful thing when it works in our favor. There will be days where you experience nothing but pure joy, and you live those moments high on that ecstasy. This joy makes life simple and allows us to fully enjoy the positive aspects of our days. Then there will be those periods where you will have to endure raw anguish, and those moments can prove to be fairly challenging. It can be difficult to focus on anything other than the turmoil occurring within us. Elise Hayes expresses this feeling in "Human Heart" where she voices the pain she endures by dealing with the overpowering negative emotions. The guitar strums and vocals are heavily highlighted in this piece. Elise's vocals are strong yet simultaneously soft, just as the guitar is. Having these two aspects of the song play such a large role makes this melody feel very personal and allows for the lyrics to really be heard. Elise's lyrics really focus on the battle against negative emotion, and she emphasizes the big ideas of this piece with stronger vocals. She especially emphasizes the chorus with lines that include "does anybody else feel like sometimes it's too real" and "damn it's hard having a human heart." It's evident that Elise put her true feelings about this topic in the song, making it easier for listeners to connect with the piece. Music played a major role in Elise's life growing up, as she was introduced to folk and soul music pretty early on in her life. Artists such as James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin really spoke to her. She has always felt very inspired by the music she listened to as a child and it helped shaped her music into what it is today. She moved from Boston to Nashville in 2011 to help foster her creativity, and grow her career as an artist. She has written songs for TV shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and Being Mary Jane," and has just recently released her EP Human Heart. As an artist, Elise hopes to spark inspiration in her listeners and to help others foster a love for music just as she did growing up. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW ELISE HAYES:

I genuinely LOVE your new single “Millennium”! Can you guys share a bit about the story behind this song and what the writing process was like? The Trusted: Dale (our guy on guitar) came up with the main riff during a rehearsal just before lockdown. Once we had the main idea, the song basically wrote itself in 10 minutes. Lyrically, I was really inspired by the state of modern culture. We live in a noisy world that constantly bombards us with irrelevant information. It’s so oppressive and terrifying. I’ve always wanted to write about how this stuff makes me feel and this tune gave me that platform. How did you all meet and what inspired you to start making music together? The Trusted: Well, we had all played in bands prior to The Trusted. Dale and I went to the same school but we didn’t ‘team up’ until we were 18. After writing and playing together for a few years, we realised, we were musically compatible. From this, we pulled in my brother on bass and Dave (who we met through a mutual friend) and decided to form our own band. When the four of us get in the room together, it always feels really special, it just works! You guys have such an infectious sound. Who would you say are your biggest influences for your music? The Trusted: All depends on who you ask in the band haha. Dale draws a lot from Hip-hop and alt rock, Dave takes a lot from modern rock music and Punk and Fin is heavily inspired by sixties and seventies rock. I take stuff from all over the place. Bands like Talking Heads, REM, Radiohead, The 1975, U2 and The White Stripes have played a big role in how I write music. The videos I’ve seen of your gigs look amazing! What is your favourite thing about performing live? The Trusted: When people sing our songs back at us. Truly the best feeling in the world. We are definitely a live band; we love playing on stage more than anything else! If you could be the opener for any artist in the world, who would you guys choose? The Trusted: I would have to say The Strokes. The first thing we ever played together was ‘Reptilia,’ so this would bring everything full circle. What can we expect from you the rest of the year? We cannot wait to hear more from you!! The Trusted: Just a ton of new music (we think the next song is coming in June) as well as a bunch of exciting gigs! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW THE TRUSTED:

“It feels like I’m alone and there’s no one to listen.” Few people know about our silent battles; the obstacles to inner peace that seem to never cease. Especially with the pandemic, isolation has become an increasingly common coping method. However, that’s like being pulled into the shadows just to run into the same challenges. ‘Glad to be Alive’ by Doppe & Kokke tells us to embrace our fears and to never give up, no matter how rigorous the battle is. Living in the present is easier said than done, but you don’t have to keep fighting solo. Reach out to your friends! Go after that dream! And most importantly, choose to be authentically you, because that’s when you’re at your most powerful! Doppe & Kokke do a phenomenal job of creating a lively backdrop. Motivating acoustic guitar strums lay the foundation for an empowering ballad. The party mood is intensified by a synth-filled EDM drop after each chorus. Featured artist Justin Erinn has a voice like honey. Silky smooth and decadent, his musical agility is made superior by the incredible runs he does in the second verse. The lyrics are nothing short of relatable. Finding your “missing pieces”, living every day as if it were your last, and breaking out of your comfort zone. All of these are difficult to implement, but so rewarding when you realize that it’s all for your benefit. In light of that, this song is a total confidence builder for anyone who listens to it! Raised in Sweden, the now Swiss-based duo Doppe & Kokke are all about feel-good music. Their unique blend of EDM and Tropical House production inspires others to excellence. Transparent in their approach, they create vivid experiences based on personal reflection and mindfulness. What I love about Doppe & Kokke is their brilliantly thought-out motto. In it, they admit that while they can’t change the world with their music, they can change the people in the world. ‘Glad to be Alive’ gives them joy, much like their other amazing projects. Checking out this duo is an absolute must! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW DOPPE & KOKKE:

No one likes to get dragged along. If someone is going to break up with you, it’s better to just get it over with, and the TV show Friends taught us that taking a ‘break’ doesn’t do any good. In his song ‘Have Fun (Without Me)’, Ari Zizzo is letting his ex go. When Zizzo went off to LA, his partner said that they’d stay together and everything would work out. At some point, his partner’s plans changed. Zizzo was cut out and had to learn he wasn’t going to be a part of his ex’s life anymore. Now, Zizzo thinks back on his relationship and everything they used to do together. It’s not the big things that make him miss his ex, but the mundane things, like sleeping in bed together. Zizzo is working to move on, yet he can’t help but wonder if his ex misses him like he misses them. ‘Have Fun (Without Me)’ is a breakup song that takes you through the artists emotions. During the first verse, Zizzo is accompanied solely by an acoustic guitar. The isolated vocals layered over the guitar create this feeling of loneliness and isolation. When the chorus builds and percussive beats come in, the emotion moves away from a lonely sadness and morphs into an emotional flurry. Zizzo wants to know how his partner is doing but he can’t ask those questions. The emotions from the heartbreak combine with the emotions of this exclusion making the chorus super charged with emotion. After the first chorus the rest of the song is charged with a heightened emotional energy. Zizzo does a great job at creating a breakup song that doesn’t pull the listener down. By juxtaposing the more serious moments with upbeat moments the song doesn’t create a sad feeling. It’s the perfect song when a breakup isn’t fresh anymore but the feelings are still heavy as you try to move on. Upper East Side native Ari Zizzo has always been surrounded by music. His mother, a successful songwriter, and his father, a record producer, greatly influenced his musical pursuits. By the age of 4, Zizzo started to learn instruments. He knew from a young age his dream was to be an artist. Zizzo’s music is influenced by his life experiences, one such experience being the struggle to find your identity. As a transgender man, Zizzo had a different experience than many whilst growing up, but at the core of his growth was finding out who he is. He has said that the struggle to find your identity is a shared experience, even though everyone’s struggle is different. This understanding that life experiences are different, but the general problems are universal, is something Zizzo implements in his work. He creates music that any listener could find themselves relating to. If you liked what you heard, ‘Have Fun (Without Me)’ and Zizzo’s other singles are available to stream now on Spotify. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW ARI:

Your new single "Hurt You" evokes deep emotions as you sing about a painful breakup experience. Can you tell us what inspired this song? Cate: Yes. It was more the end of a situation than a relationship, but basically it’s about a comically bad experience I had with a guy I liked. I got home from the bar after this interaction and I knew I needed to write about it. The song pretty much explains what happened, and the bridge is basically a step-by-step itinerary of the night. Since it was so specific I made sure I didn’t exaggerate anything in the rest of the song. Everyone in both our friend groups know what it’s about, and until now I’ve never released anything with the intention of having the person it’s about hearing it, but I had a lot of fun with it. You mention on your website that you're a Music Industry major at Northeastern University. What has that experience been like as you combine your passion with academics? Cate: The Music Industry program at Northeastern is great. It’s really nice to be able to take classes I can apply to my life right now—on the creative side I’ve taken production and songwriting classes, and on the business side I’ve taken artist management and marketing classes. Both have been helpful with my music, and my experiences as an independent artist have been helpful with school. So it’s mutually beneficial. What has been your experience with the Boston music scene? Do you plan on staying there after you graduate? Cate: I am going straight back to California after graduation, haha. Boston is great and I wanted to live on the east coast for part of my life, but I feel like I belong on the west coast. The music scene is amazing though, Berklee is right by Northeastern and I’ve met some extremely talented kids and had some cool collaboration experiences. But I’m still going back to California. You mention you got started a bit later in the music industry. What difficulties or challenges have you faced breaking into the industry? How have these shaped your path forward? Cate: I’ve always had a strong sense of self-confidence, but I’d say holding onto that while entering a new industry with people who have been in it for a lot longer than I have has been one of the biggest challenges. But I have learned a ton from practicing that skill. Having confidence in my writing and performing and believing I should be in the room while being open with people that I still have a lot to learn has benefitted me the most so far. Learning to play piano by ear, which you mention on your website, is impressive! What kind of songs did you like to write and listen to as a kid? Cate: I grew up on Taylor Swift and that’s definitely been one of my biggest influences since I started writing. I used to strictly write pop, but I would listen to everything. My dad would always play rock in the car, and I think that’s starting to influence me more right now. I’ve been really into Lenny Kravitz lately, and I’ve started experimenting with adding rock into my own stuff. What song has been your favorite to write and record? Cate: Definitely “hurt you.” It was a weirdly cathartic experience and I love how it turned out. I recorded the demo in my apartment in Boston, and then my producer added live guitar, drums, and bass to replace some of the midi stuff. It came together pretty easily considering I never went into a studio for it. I’m really happy with it. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW CATE:

Fights happen in relationships. There are bound to be things you and your significant other disagree on. Some of these fights are more intense than others. In the truly bad fights, threats of leaving can be made. In their new song ‘The Weather’, Your Paris tells the story of what happens when those threats are turned into action. A couple has been fighting, and this time, one of the partners has packed up their things to leave. The partner being left is desperately pleading to talk about anything in hopes that things can be fixed. Your Paris is made up of Nick Babcock and Laila Kharouba. In ‘The Weather’, Laila is the primary vocalist, with Nick having a verse after the first chorus. The duo use their individual voices to tell a complex story. Laila is the partner being left and her vocals reflect her sense of loss and desperation. The repeated phrase “let’s just talk about the weather” shows how she’s trying to grasp onto anything to rekindle this relationship. She isn’t ready to give up yet. Nick’s verse shows how this breakup is hard for him as well, but he is done trying to save a sinking ship. “I’m afraid to hear you laughing/ or even think about what’s happened/ I can’t be the one that’s calling.” Nick is trying to distance himself from the situation so he can go through with his leaving. He knows that if he calls Laila first, they’ll end up talking and he might not be able to walk away. In breakup songs you typically get events told through one perspective. I thought it was unique how Your Paris uses each vocalist to tell a different side of the story. Both partners are struggling, this relationship hard on them, bringing that much more emotion to the song. ‘The Weather’ is not your run of the mill breakup song and is definitely worth an addition to any ‘In My Feels’ playlist. Nick and Laila created their pop duo, Your Paris, just two months before the pandemic began. In the time since they have released a handful of singles. If you ask Nick and Laila, they will say their sound is a mix of Fleetwood Mac and Ariana Grande. While a pop group, Your Paris draws inspiration from a large variety of genres including folk and rock. The love the duo has for one another can be heard and felt through their music. ‘The Weather’ is available to stream now on Spotify. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW YOUR PARIS: