I know, I know, this isn't the last Tuesday of the month but I have something special planned for next week. Therefore, my "Tuesday Talent Talks" is going to be here a tad bit earlier than normal, and that's okay. The artist that I'm going to be talking about is a band I've liked for quite awhile, but I became obsessed with them as recently as earlier this year after I heard their debut album.
Who is it?
Against the Current started as a band from Poughkeepsie, New York in 2011 with founding members Dan Gow, Will Ferri, Joe Simmons, and Jeremy Rompala. Current member Chrissy Costanza joined the band later on, being introduced to Dan, Will, and Jeremy through a mutual friend. As the years have passed, three members remain: Chrissy with vocals, Dan on guitar, and Will on drums.
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Time went on and Against the Current began posting covers on YouTube to get themselves out there. Collaborating with other artists such as Alex Goot, Kurt Schneider, and Sam Tsui, they rose in popularity and released their own music, including songs like "Guessing," "Thinking," and "Closer,Faster."
In 2014, the band released their first EP titled "Infinity" which they self-released via the interwebs. A year later, they released "Gravity" which featured six songs, one of which featured Taka of band One OK Rock. A few weeks passed before Against the Current announced that they had been signed by the record label Fueled by Ramen. In May of 2016, ATC released their debut album "In Our Bones," which they just recently finished touring.
When did I start liking the artist?
It was a few years ago, but I don't exactly remember the day. I was on YouTube, which was and still is an obsession of mine. I loved watching covers of 5 Seconds of Summer, because that was my favorite band at the time. I believe I got into Against the Current because they were in my suggested category with their cover of "She Looks So Perfect." However, looking back, I really don't think that was the first song I heard from them. I feel like I first saw their lyric video for the song "Infinity" and fell in love instantly. My memory is kind of jumbled between all of the obsessions I have; it's hard to keep up sometimes.
Have I seen the artist live?
If I had already seen them live, I probably wouldn't be able to breath right now. I almost went to their In Our Bones Tour in Cleveland, Ohio, but lake effect snow is kind of the spawn of Satan, so I couldn't go without probably dying.
What is my favorite song by the artist?
My two all time favorite bands are R5 and 5 Seconds of Summer, and even though I love them more than I can even fathom, there is a song by both artists that I literally cannot stand and skip any time it comes on my shuffle. With Against the Current, I'm not kidding when I say that I love every single one of their songs. They all speak to me and I find myself relating to a lot of the lyrics. Even though I love all of their songs, there's one that I can connect to more than others. The song "Brighter" is about becoming a somebody in a world where you thought you would be a nobody. It's about living up to your potential and living your dream no matter what anyone says. This song is my favorite song of all time right now which also includes my favorite lyrics of all time: "I want something more/A life worth fighting for/I don't need a reason to set the world on fire/And burn a little bit brighter now." The first part of those lyrics is actually my Instagram bio.
Why do I like this artist?
I love pop rock bands and I love female singers, so this band is a combination of my two loves. Against the Current kind of reminds me of the old Paramore of this decade, and back in the day, I loved Paramore. I also already mentioned that I love every single one of their songs, so that's a bonus. And, not to sound stereotypical or anything, but I really idolize Chrissy Costanza. She has such a good soul and is so talented and kind that I can't help but look up to her even though I'm pretty sure she's shorter than me. I want to become a singer when I'm older, and her voice is literally so flawless that I melt every time I hear it. I love Dan and Will too, don't get me wrong, but there's something about Chrissy that I can connect with just a little bit more.
Final thoughts
If you've never heard of Against the Current or haven't given them a chance, now is the time to do so. This band is so great and so talented and it's only a matter of time before they rise through the ranks and blow up in the music industry. I highly recommend them and hope that you, the readers, give them a listen and fall in love with them, just like I have.
