Scene staples Mayday Parade have just announced a brand new EP.
After posting a cryptic teaser Monday morning that grabbed fans’ attention, the band officially announced the upcoming Out of Here on Tuesday afternoon. The 30-second video announcement, shared on the band’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, features a montage of fan tweets. About halfway through, we hear the intro of what is presumably a song on the EP. The video leaves us with two dates to look out for: September 24th and October 16th.
The announcement of Out of Here is the first indication Mayday Parade have given of new original music since the start of quarantine. Over the past few months, they have stayed busy launching a brand new merch store, participating in virtual events like the Rock Sound Summer Show, collaborating with other bands on a Beatles cover, and connecting with fans via social media and live streams.
Out of Here is available to pre-save now, with an official release on October 16th.
What is your favorite Mayday Parade album to date? Share in the comments below!
Awsten Knight just leaked a song in the most chaotic way.
Just a few days after making his long-awaited return to social media, the Waterparks frontman announced that he would be hosting a live acoustic session on Instagram. On Thursday at 1 p.m., approximately 6,000 viewers tuned in to see what Knight was up to, including Zach Sang and the official MTV Instagram account.
Most of the 30-minute stream was your typical Insta live stuff: he played some acoustic songs, responded to fans’ comments, and looked up the WAP dance.
But near the end of the stream, he played a song that’s never been heard before. Just as the realization set in, he grabbed the scissors and started cutting his own hair on camera. With no warning and no goodbye, he ended the Insta live, leaving fans incredibly confused.
Watch the whole thing below:
Knight is known to match his hairstyles, lovingly referred to as “hair-as” (hair eras) by fans, to each Waterparks album cycle. Does cutting off the green hair represent a new era for the band? Share your thoughts below!
awsten cutting his hair live on instagram while listening to waterparks is literally what i do when having a mental breakdown
Knight is well-known for his hilarious, all-caps tweets and frequent presence on the site, so when he went inactive a few months ago, fans quickly noticed.
What does this comeback mean for Waterparks? The trio is known to always have a few tricks up their sleeve, and fans have already started to develop theories about what’s next.
awsten: uses key emoji
my brain: are we unlocking the new era?? he’s like i have green hair now and still a diva but we unlocking the new shit soon hence the key so therefore unlocking new hair and personality shift/persona for the new era:)
hey guys 😀 this picture isn’t new 😀 bc when u go to repost an old story from ur archive 😀 it does this 😀 so therefore rachel’s theory 😀 is right perhaps 😀 https://t.co/baDRRM9Ynlpic.twitter.com/ElC6cntGdq
Fans of the band are still anticipating the Fandom Tour Live DVD that was originally scheduled for a summer 2020 release. Additionally, Knight has been involved in multiple other creative projects that fans are looking for updates on, such as his podcast and a musical collaboration with De’Wayne Jackson.
What do you think? Should we expect a new Waterparks era soon? Is Awsten actually bald? Share your theories in the comments below!
When describing Set It Off frontman Cody Carson, one word comes to mind: passionate.
Ever since he was just a teenager filming YouTube covers in a messy dorm room, he has exuded an infectious level of enthusiasm that we just can’t help feeling along with him. For over a decade now, he has embodied what it means to care deeply about your dreams.
If you’ve been to a Set It Off concert, you’ve definitely heard one of his trademark inspirational speeches. At least once per show, he imparts his motivational wisdom on fans through an honest, emotional talk.
“One of my favourite parts of the set is not when we’re singing songs, but at one point I give myself a couple of minutes to reach out and speak to our audience. It’s always been about a certain topic. When we were first starting out, it was about chasing your dreams, or going through bullying and how to overcome it. On this last tour, it was about how beautiful it is to be able to let out these emotions, that they’re not judged. I truly find it important to be able to voice that to them during our shows. It’s weird, because put me in any other situation, I’m not going to give a passionate speech! For some reason I get this feeling like I need to say something, and the moment after the speech is done there’s just this energy, it’s hard to describe. It’s this feeling of connection between us.”
But before we started this band, we would go to Warped Tour as friends, and we would come here every day and stare — every time — and stare at that inflatable, waiting for our favorite band to go on, standing where you’re standing, to watch that band play as fans. So here’s the thing I want you to keep in mind throughout the whole day: there was no fucking difference between you or anyone else you see play today on any stage at all. There’s no fucking difference! We’re just a bunch of kids! We stood there, watched our favorite bands, got inspired, started a band, and grinded our asses off for, as you know now, eight years. All we could think about was how awesome it would be to play on this stage.
Now, we’re not looking for a pat on the fucking back. That’s not what I’m looking for. What I want you to take away from this conversation is this: Some of you out there have something in the back of your mind you wanna chase. It may not be a band. Maybe it is. And it seems next to impossible. It seems really fucking hard. What I encourage you to do is stop thinking of it as impossible. It’s not gonna be easy. No. It’s gonna be fucking hard! But you want it bad enough, you have the passion enough, you have the work ethic. Work your ass off, and make your dream fucking a reality! Because it will happen! So thank you guys for coming with us for so long, and to be able to play in front of people like you who actually give a shit about music means the fucking world, so let’s have some more fun!
…for the way you look? Don’t be afraid. Raise it up if it’s happened to you. Look around. Look how common this is. This isn’t a joke, this isn’t a scam, this isn’t a ploy. I’m saying this for a specific reason. When I was growing up, I wasn’t the most popular kid in the school. I was, uh, I was that kid that dyed spikes green and wore a tank top over his green T-shirt. I was that kid that would go to rock shows while everyone else listened to the “98.7” when it was the rap station. You guys know what I’m talking about.
But my point I’m trying to make is that everyone’s different. A lot of people try to conform to the norm. [Laughs] I know that rhymes, but it’s so true. They see people being the “popular kids” and they just want to latch on and be that person. But some people here, I’m looking at you. You know who you are. And some of you are afraid to say who you are because you know people are going to chastise you for the way that you dress or act.
And what I’m encouraging you to do is, tonight, be a freak with us. Be the weird one in your class. Be the person that doesn’t conform. Be the person that you know that you are! Because it’s beautiful that way. That’s your personality. This song is dedicated to those jerks that made your life a living hell growing up. It’s called horrible kids.
[singing a cappella] Horrible kids, would you look what you did? It was your ignorance that formed a beast with your wits.
We wrote this song before gay marriage was accepted as legal in the United States, and we’re so fucking happy that it is the way it is now. But as soon as we feel that acceptance is coming, then we start to see more violence towards people for maybe their sexual orientation. But not only that, but for their race. For how people look. For the gender you identify with. Why in the fuck does it matter that someone’s different than you? Why the fuck does it matter that you’re uncomfortable with someone that’s not actually affecting you at all? We wrote a song about that.
[music starts]
And I’m never gonna tweet it when shit’s bad because that would go against what these [unintelligible], but “money talks and trouble sells.” The media feeds on the bullshit that’s going on. I’m not a critical guy. I’m really not. But I am sick and tired of people feeding on misery. I want for once, in this three minutes and thirty seconds, for us to not focus on any hate. For none of you guys to focus on any delineation because of how different people may be. Can we just, for once, have a community like we have at shows? Where no one’s different. We’re shoulder to shoulder with people we’ve never met, sweating our asses off, and enjoying the sounds because we know this is where we fucking belong! If you feel that, then link arms with the person next to you, whether you know them or not. And sing this with me.
…everything to follow the one thing that we knew that we wanted to be. This is what we wanna be. This is what we wanna do. And you’re a part of that. There’s people in this crowd right now, in that balcony, right here. You know exactly what you wanna be for the rest of your life. You’ve already had that figured out. Some of you don’t have the courage to go for it. Some of you are trying to go for it, and you have people telling you not to do it. This song is about those people. If you have someone over your shoulder telling you that you should be something else, fuck that person. You have one life to live. I’m not gonna say that stupid phrase. You know what it is.
[audience: “Y.O.L.O.!”]
But what I will say is, in this amount of time until we die, why not make it something worth living? Thank you all for being here. It means a lot to us. This song goes out to the people who are chasing the things that they love, and the people that are still deciding if they wanna do it or not. This song is called “Dream Catcher.” So please, put your hands up. Everybody, there is no shame in this. You paid money to go to a rock show! Put those fucking hands up! Let’s go.
We wrote this song after something really catastrophic happened in our lives. A long time ago, one of the members of the SIO family took their own lives. And it’s something, when it happens to somebody that you don’t know. But when it happens to somebody that you’ve had many conversations with, and you had no idea what they were going through, it can be absolutely devastating. And I’m not just saying that for you to look out for your friends, but for you to look out for yourself. And I’m not gonna stand up here and act like I don’t get in deep depressions ‘cause I absolutely do. Life’s a rollercoaster, man. You’re having the greatest day of your life, and then three days later you’re down in the dumps and you have no idea how you got there. And sometimes you can feel stuck. And I know you know what I’m talking about.
But here’s the thing I wanna say more than anything: if you feel stuck, if you feel down there, you’re not. I know it just sounds arbitrary, but what I mean by that is this. The only way to feel that low means — the only way to feel that low is because you’ve felt something incredible before. It’s by comparison. So there is another side to this. There’s another side to this. You gotta keep pushing. Keep pushing. Keep fighting. There is something. That’s why they say “get through something,” ‘cause there’s something to break through to get to the other side. So be there for each other, and lift each other up, and lift yourself up. And thank you for lifting me up through all the shit that I’m going through. I appreciate it.
[audience: We love you!]
Love you, too. Speaking of the word “love,” this song is called “You Are Loved.”
[acoustic performance of “You Are Loved”]
Have you been in the crowd for one of Cody’s famous speeches? Which topic was your favorite? Share your stories down below!
Kentucky-based quartet Picturesque aimed to impress with their 2020 album, Do You Feel O.K.?.
The band released the LP via Equal Vision Records in April of this year, describing their work as “straight fuego… the best record to come out in a millennia.” It’s this energy, passion, and pride, along with the album’s experimental nature and genre-blending elements, that give this innovative record staying power in the alt scene.
The year is 2020, and Go Radio are back together and releasing new music. While the world showed major love for the band’s 2010 hit “Goodnight Moon,” a lot of their other music has flown under the radar of even the most involved pop punk fans. “Goodnight Moon” is a well-admired representation of Go Radio at their most romantic, but it’s not the only time that the band have conveyed a lasting message about love.
Video: Go Radio talks “Goodnight Moon,” “Say It Again,” and the future!
Let’s take a look at the top seven most romantic Go Radio tunes:
7. “That California Song”
This passionate Go Radio deep cut takes us back to the early days of the band. Vocalist Jason Lancaster’s pure desperation can be heard in this raw demo, as his young, unpolished voice cuts through wailing guitars and grandiose drums. The words take us through the small moments of intimacy and the overarching sorrows of a long-distance relationship, and makes us root for love above all else.
Standout mushy lyric: “And how’d this summer air just get so cold? / And how’d this quiet girl just get so bold? / And how can she be something I can hold?”
6. “I Miss You”
Another early step for the band, this emotional track creates an atmosphere of comfort and fear, of love and of the obstacles that get in the way. Speaking once again of missing someone special, Lancaster yells passionately into a chorus of group vocals and rhythmic guitar. The lyrics convey that he believes he and this person truly belong together, even as they experience a rough patch.
Standout mushy lyric: “And pray / Wherever you are / That this is the night / And this is the girl that I’ll love all my life / And this is the song that she’s waiting for”
5. “Collide”
A sugar rush in the album that saw the temporary end of Go Radio, “Collide” radiates happiness and romance. The spirited backing vocals accentuate an upbeat tale of two people who beautifully complement one another. The overall message of this song is that if we care deeply for the people we love, everything else will fall into place.
Standout mushy lyric: “I hope to everything you never release / This hold you have on me / Where there’s your signature on every piece / Of my heart that there could be”
4. “Worth It All the While”
This dynamic jam from the deluxe edition of Lucky Street takes us on a ride with its driving drum beats and persistent guitar riff. Similar to “Collide,” the lyrics deliver the message that if you wholeheartedly believe in your love (“scream just a little bit louder”), then you can defy all obstacles. The verses wrap us up in vivid visuals of small, romantic moments, like sharing notes and secrets, while the chorus affirms that this love is big enough to remember forever.
Standout mushy lyric: “It’s you and me forever and I’m sure / We’re worth fighting for”
3. “Letters and Love Notes”
A dreamy snapshot of the EP that brought us “Goodnight Moon,” “Letters and Love Notes” is a sentimental peek into a love that feels almost like a fairytale. Lyrically, the track is more simple and less enveloped in metaphors than other releases by the band, but no less powerful. The passion and heart of this track shines through in Lancaster’s plea for “a happy ending” with the person he loves.
Standout mushy lyric: “And I’m staying up all night again / Writing songs about where and when / I could hold you ’til you rest your head to sleep”
2. “It’s Not a Trap, I Promise”
Another starry-eyed track from Do Overs and Second Chances, “It’s Not a Trap, I Promise” combines intense electric guitars, tight drum beats, and a tiny twinkle to convey a message of deep admiration. The lyrics talk about a woman who radiates warmth and beauty but struggles to find these qualities in herself. The amount of care and adoration exuded through this song’s gorgeously crafted metaphors and small observations reminds us that even on our worst days, the right partner will see us for our best qualities.
Standout mushy lyric: “She keeps the sun for all of Florida in her jacket / And then she laughs ’cause I don’t think she knows she has it”
1. “The Truth Is”
It would be a challenge to find an alt rock song more deeply romantic than “The Truth Is.”
The penultimate track of 2011’s Lucky Street takes the number one spot on this list for its representation of mature, committed, unconditional love. It combines the fairytale-like idealism of “Letters and Love Notes,” the beautifully worded metaphors of “It’s Not a Trap, I Promise,” and the earnest softness and vulnerability of “Goodnight Moon” to wrap us in a blanket of unwavering affection. The piano- and string-heavy composition builds in intensity as it progresses, blossoming at the end into a gorgeous medley of group harmonies, light drums, and Lancaster’s passionate chorus. The nontraditional structure of the song takes us from verse to verse and from chorus to chorus in a way that feels natural as it builds from the imagery of soft, affectionate daydreams into the declaration that this person is “the one.” This monumental track makes for the perfect soundtrack to weddings and proposals due to its message of true love that will stand the test of time.
Not to be dramatic, but this song invented romance.
Standout mushy lyric: “Cause on the list of everything I need / There’s air but first there’s you and me”
So there you have it. Seven more tracks to fill you with the lovey-dovey warmth that “Goodnight Moon” brought into our lives a decade ago. Dedicate these tracks to your partner, to your future, or to yourself. And if you’re still itching to re-experience the magic of Goodnight Moon, here it is:
In this growing technological era, musicians have tons of new ways to connect with fans. The digital age has helped listeners personalize their experiences by selecting and sharing their favorite content at the press of a button. But in a time period where mere seconds online can make a full impression, artists are asking a new question: What are the best ways to keep fans invested?
Florida-based rock band Set It Off have found the answer. The 2019 winners of Rock Sound’s Fan Power Award have mastered the art of creating and cultivating a dedicated fanbase. Since 2008, the band have taken advantage of social media and live shows to redefine the relationship between musicians and fans.
Video: Set It Off – Lonely Dance (Official Music Video)
If you’re looking for an example of how to satisfy a growing fanbase, look no further. Here are the top 5 ways Set It Off have put fans first.
1. Addressing fans by name
If you’ve followed Set It Off for a while, you may have picked up on their love of all things personal. From frontman Cody Carson’s passionate speeches onstage, to playing board games with fans, the band regularly shows their commitment to making memorable experiences. But what truly sets this band apart? They know their fans’ names.
In 2016, Set It Off was featured on the Bus Invaders Youtube series for the third time. While the whole 8-minute video gives us a good look into the band’s personalities and touring habits, one part in particular stands out. When singer Cody Carson and drummer Maxx Danziger show the camera a piece of art given to them by a fan, they excitedly share her name and Instagram handle as well.
Image description: Carson shows off Set It Off artwork by @dreamcatchingjade on Instagram (GIF)
In addition to small name drops like the one above, the Set It Off have also directly addressed fans many times on their YouTube channel. Watch in their P.O. box and fan voicemails videos as the band receive gifts and messages from fans and thank the senders by name each time.
Additionally, many of the videos on the band’s channel feature a shoutout to an individual fan at the end.
Image description: Set It Off shout out a fan at the end of a YouTube video (GIF)
2. Featuring fans on their YouTube channel
In addition to saying fans’ names online, Set It Off have directly featured fans on their YouTube channel multiple times.
In February 2015, the band uploaded a special video for their song “Tomorrow.” This tribute to fans features Set It Off “dreamcatchers” talking about what the band means to them, along with meet and greet footage from their tours.
Video: Set It Off – Tomorrow (A Tribute to the Set It Off Dreamcatchers)
In January 2018, the band took to YouTube via livestream to write a song with fans. After gathering lyric suggestions from the comments, they wrote and performed the acoustic “Hourglass Love.”
Later that same year, Set It Off put fans front and center on their channel again when they reacted to YouTube covers of their songs. In this encouraging video, the band gave fans a platform for their art, complimented them on their musical talents, and even recognized one person from their early days as a band.
Image description: Carson recalls a fan from an old Set It Off show (GIF)
3. Changing their lineup
In their 12 years as a band, Set It Off have had their share of struggles.
In May of 2015, bassist Austin Kerr was accused of sexual harassment via a statement on Tumblr, and the band made the decision to remove Kerr from the group. In the formal Facebook statement, they explained that the safety and comfort of fans are their number one priority:
However, this was not the only time such accusations impacted the band. Last May, sexual assault allegations surfaced against guitarist Dan Clermont, and the band wasted no time in addressing the matter on their Twitter page. Within two days, Set It Off posted that they would “investigate the matter” and that Clermont would be taking a hiatus from the band. In September 2019, the band officially parted ways with Clermont.
4. Taking fan feedback for Midnight
The direction of the most recent Set It Off album was influenced by fans. In a 2019 interview with Rock Sound, Carson explained that, in conversations surrounding the development of Midnight, the band heavily considered fans’ preferences. From letting fans vote on which song gets a music video, to selecting singles based on prior success, Set It Off have mastered the art of crafting a crowd-pleasing record.
⌛️ For You Forever vs. Dancing With The Devil ⌛️
We want YOU to choose what our next music video will be 🎥
Whichever song is streamed/listened to/purchased more will win 🏆
Amidst the growing complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic, music fans everywhere are getting used to concert cancellations. When we receive this disappointing news, we can’t help but mourn the experience that was taken away from us. And while many alt favorites are calling it quits with their scheduled 2020 tours, Set It Off continues to hold out hope.
In a video and three-part explanation on Twitter, Set It Off announced yet another rescheduling of the UK/EU leg of their Midnight World Tour. In this announcement, Carson expressed the band’s sincerest apologies and emphasized that they are as excited for these shows to continue as fans are. And although this news was hard to break, the band added a little humor to the situation by officially renaming the UK/EU section, “Part Four the Love of God Don’t Make Us Reschedule Again.”
We live in very strange times, and we wanted more than anything in the world to be able to make this tour happen. We were hoping through a little slice of optimism that I could’ve still taken place, but the fact is that it’s still not safe for this tour to happen. So we have pic.twitter.com/mlzmVpa0hi
From learning names to choosing singles, through lineup changes and rescheduled shows, Set It Off have always prioritized their fans. In making fans a part of everything they do, the band have ensured longevity for themselves and their sound in this evolving musical landscape.
I hope our fans know that we go to bat for them quite a bit. I love that it’s one of the things that we’re becoming known for as a band, that makes me so happy.
What do you think of Set It Off’s strategy when it comes to fans? Have they ever acknowledged you personally? Tell your story in the comments down below!
This limited edition apparel flew off the virtual shelves faster than you can say “Nella Vita.”
[Photo via: Grayscale/Twitter]
Pennsylvania rock band Grayscale released new merch on their website today, and it went fast.
The Philly-based five-piece has been teasing the “sample drop” on their Instagram account since Saturday with photos of assorted Grayscale apparel and accessories. This drop included over 150 unique items, with only one or two of each design available.
This unique approach to merchandise is a way that Grayscale regularly set themselves apart from the crowd. In a 2019 interview with Forbes, frontman Collin Walsh said the band wanted to develop “really cool merch that wouldn’t fall apart when you washed it.”
The band’s emphasis on quality and passion for fashion were evident in the elaborate, varied selection of items that fans were dying to get their hands on today.
In addition to dropping new merch, Grayscale have kept their fanbase engaged during this musical dry spell with the release of their EP Live From the Barber Shop Studios. This three-track release comes out tomorrow, and it will feature remastered songs from Grayscale’s most recent album, Nella Vita. Listen to the reimagined version of “Baby Blue” below:
Grayscale – Baby Blue [Reworked] via Grayscale on YouTube
Were you able to get your hands on any of these exclusive items? Which ones do you think Grayscale should keep selling? Comment down below!
A collection of upbeat pop punk gems (or “emo bops,” as I like to call them), perfect for your next party of one.
If you’re anything like me, your music taste can be finicky. I’m constantly creating playlists and sub-playlists to match every little musical mood I have, from the times I want to sing and dance, to the melodies I want to fall asleep to. Lately, I’ve found myself wanting to jam out to pop-influenced anthems that still have a little bit of edge and emotion to them. So without further ado, here are 10 bops with some bite that’ll make you dance like no one is watching:
1. Waterparks – Rare
The playlist starts off strong with a powerful jam by eclectic Texas trio Waterparks. With its head-bopping melodies, scream-worthy chorus, and lovestruck lyrics, this tune is guaranteed to pick you up at the end of a long day.
You like? You’ll like: Gloom Boys, Telephone, Sleep Alone
2. The Wrecks – Favorite Liar
This lively track by indie 5-piece The Wrecks pulls listeners in with its catchy single guitar intro, keeps us engaged with high-spirited drum beats, and provides a satisfying payoff with its entertaining bridge breakdown. Frontman Nick Anderson’s vocals play a shining part in the memorability of this song, and his raw, unpolished screams infuse the track with personality.
You like? You’ll like: Freaking Out, Way With Words, Turn It Up
3. As It Is – Pretty Little Distance
With its infectious guitar riffs, fun group vocal, and energetic instrumental break, this bright tune is sure to get you moving. The high school dance setting was a perfect choice for the music video because, at its core, this song is a catchy catalyst for the good (but unpredictable) times we share with great friends, singing loud, dancing enthusiastically, and laughing hard.
You like? You’ll like: Until I Return, Dial Tones, Hey Rachel
4. Every Avenue – Mindset
A pop rock party bop, this feelgood tune will transport you back to those carefree summer festivals, long drives, and wild adventures, even in the middle of quarantine. The easy-to-learn chorus is sure to stick in your head and have you dancing around the house in your socks, yelling about an incredible girl you’ve never met.
You like? You’ll like: Tell Me I’m a Wreck, Tie Me Down, Picture Perfect
5. Makeout – Home
Makeout’s first single since the addition of vocalist Kyle Dee features a powerful mix of bold electric guitar, upbeat drums, and compelling lyrics. The catchy vocal run in the chorus is one you’ll want to yell out your car window, much to the confusion of the strangers you’re driving next to.
You like? You’ll like: Crazy, Childish, Lisa
6. ROAM – Playing Fiction
This active track by British rock band Roam is reminiscent of early 2000s punk classics, with a fresh, late-2010s spin. “Playing Fiction” comes in fast and free, and it maintains that energy as it soars through driving verses and powerful choruses.
You like? You’ll like: Better in Than Out, Home, Tell Me
7. Jonathan Young – Every Time We Touch
YouTuber Jonathan Young is well known for his creative rock covers of popular songs spanning all different genres of music. His heavier spin on Cascada’s 2007 pop hit preserves the original lively danceability of the song, while adding a unique flair that gives it new significance to alt rock fans everywhere.
You like? You’ll like: Eye to Eye, Mr. Brightside, Immortals
8. Set It Off – Different Songs
This poppy tune from Set It Off’s most recent release showcases the lighter side of the band’s diverse musical range. The soft intro quickly crescendos into a dancey groove that carries through the captivating, upbeat track.
You like? You’ll like: Hourglass, Bad Guy, Go to Bed Angry
9. The Maine – Listen to Your Heart
This throwback jam by longtime alt favorites The Maine brings us back to a simpler time: 2010. This fast-paced anthem will have you belting out the lyrics like a teenager again, wrapped up in the angst and elation of young love that defies all odds.
You like? You’ll like: Everything I Ask For, Don’t Come Down, Bad Behavior
10. Grayscale – Baby Blue
We finish off this playlist with a funky fan-favorite from Grayscale’s third album, Nella Vita. While the poppy groove and transformative prechorus will make you want to get up and move, the subject matter of grieving relationships is sure to satisfy your emo craving as well. And if you like this version, check out Grayscale’s remastered version, from their new EP Live From the Barber Shop Studios.
You like? You’ll like: In My Arms, Desert Queen, If I Ever See You Again
Like what you heard? Check out the Spotify playlist below:
Which of these bops is your favorite? What songs do you like to dance to? Share down below!
A tired college student. A busy schedule. Hours and hours of work, class, friends, and finally sleep. Wake up the next day, and do it all over again.
That’s me in a nutshell. My name is Dia, and welcome to Pure Punk Media.
WordPress suggests publishing an introductory post, and while I wasn’t originally planning on it, they are the experts at this, so maybe it’s not such a bad idea.
Why did I start this blog? Because as a young adult with a life that is ever-changing, the one constant passion in my life has been pop punk music. Through moving cities, living in different bedrooms, changing my major, entering new friendships and relationships, adopting new habits, and altering my personal style and appearance, the music I love has always been there to pick me up at the end of the day. Ever since I was 14 years old, these bands have meant the world to me, and I’ve decided that it’s time to turn this passion into action.
Through this blog I will provide news and updates, opinions, reviews, and recommendations about the bands that make this scene so special. Follow along as I learn the ins and outs of blogging and carving out a presence in this fast-paced world.
Why a blog instead of a Youtube Channel, or some other form of social media? A blog is most fitting for me because for as long as I can remember, I have been documenting things in writing. In elementary school I would write fictional stories inspired by my life and my friends, in middle school I started journaling, and now I still write here and there while I can on social media, physical paper, and an electronic journal. I am a fourth-year journalism student, so I have a solid overview of news writing, AP style, interview etiquette, and all the other boring specifics they teach you in those intro courses.
Who would I love to connect with through this blog? I have a few answers to this. First off, I would love to connect with bands by hopefully doing interviews one day. Second, I would love to become affiliated with some of the bigger names in alternative media, such as Alternative Press, Kerrang, and Rock Sound; I have been reading and obsessing over their publications, ripping the little posters out of the magazines, and finding new music through them since I was a teenager, so to one day partner with them would be surreal. Finally, I would like to connect with people who are like me. I hope this blog gives me a path to connect with fans who feel as deeply about this music, these bands, and this scene as I do. As a woman of color, I don’t see myself represented much in this community, so I hope to build a platform where I can uplift more writers and musicians with unique voices and styles to keep punk inclusive.
So now you know my why, but if you want to know me, here’s a quick peek.
Pure Punk Media 