WE THE COMMAS ANNOUNCE DEBUT EP SARB AND UNLEASH EPIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “PISSED OFF”
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“We the Commas manifest that unmistakable musical feel and sound of the surf and sand.” – AMERICAN SONGWRITER
“The band find a balance between throwback surf and doo-wop alongside modern alt-rock and R&B … as young Black men, they aim to redefine the mainstream perception of what beach town boys look and sound like.” – POPMATTERS
“…classic vibes layered with new school alternative sensibilities…” – SPINDLE
(photo credit: Chris Rosa)
SoCal-based band We The Commas announce their debut EP SARB (due out in October) and share new single “Pissed Off.” The new offering from brothers Cam (18), Jordy (19) and Lenny Comma (23) combines bonafide lyrics with a commanding melody and electrifying guitar riffs. Trading in the soothing harmonies and chill vibes found in “Custom Made” and “Sherry” that make up what they’ve coined ‘Surf Alternative R&B,’ the trio continues to separate themselves from the rest with their outstanding versatility. While their previous releases transported listeners to the beachside, the epic “Pissed Off” video (directed by Chris Rosa and Josh Sikkema) takes you on an action packed journey across the desert throughout southern California.
The story behind “Pissed Off” originates from Lenny’s college years, where he felt lost on the road towards his life’s destination and felt pressure to choose a career path. In turn Lenny put pen to paper and channeled his confusion and frustration into song. He notes, “I had no idea what I wanted to do in life. I changed my major four times and I felt aimless. I finally had enough, and had to get my anger out because I was tired of feeling like a failure and I felt like no one understood me.” While the specifics of the situation may vary, the core tale of sullenly navigating the unknown is one we can all identify with. Jordy relates to that sentiment and states, “This track is personally so important to me because as a college student, I’ve experienced many days where I felt lost, out of place, and frankly just pissed off searching for answers. This song is empowering and reminds everyone that you’re not alone in your frustration trying to find your purpose.” Cam also adds, “‘Pissed Off’ reflects a time in my life where I was really struggling to find fulfillment and happiness. I found myself trapped in a dark place that felt more lonely than ever. This song is a way to express and release all that negative energy. There is something so powerful about the rawness and vulnerability we all share in this song.”
Hidden in the heart of “Pissed Off” is an invaluable connection and lesson to be learned. On the surface, a ‘Comma’ is a simple punctuation mark – a brief pause within a single sentence. While the reader may initially sense a stark division or change of overall path, the mark ultimately provides undeniable clarity to the larger paragraph. Much like a comma, Lenny asserts, “We all go through periods of life where times get hard and those hardships don’t make sense. But going through it makes you stronger and you learn so much.” He continues, “I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t go through this to figure out who I am and what I want out of life.”
Lenny, Jordy, and Cam have been deliberate with each lyric they’ve penned. As brothers, they recognize that the music they deliver is a representation of the values they embody, and that with each release they are being given an opportunity to present an honest illustration of the men they were raised to be. We the Commas add “Our mom and dad have a great moral compass. We hope to spread our message simply by how we treat people and how we live our lives.” A song about finding a love that is perfectly tailored to you, “Custom Made” builds on the integrity that was established with their debut release “Sherry.” Lenny adds “Both of these songs set the scene for a healthy relationship. We want to show people that no matter what relationship you’re in, you always need to treat people with respect.” He expresses, “It’s only when you do that you have the fairytale experience depicted in both of these songs.”
Quickly establishing themselves in their local Southern California music scene, We the Commas previously performed on San Diego’s KUSI Morning Show as well as for their March of Dimes charity event in Balboa Park, and hosted a weekly three-hour gig at The Bunker House in Oceanside. It’s no surprise their drive captured the attention of one of their very own inspirations The Head and The Heart, Young the Giant, and acclaimed hip-hop/R&B producers like Rex Kudo (Post Malone, Young Thug, Nav, Lil Uzi Vert) and Charlie Handsome (Travis Scott, Khalid, The Weeknd, Drake) before even launching their project.
Their journey began early in their family living room void of cable, singing Motown classics like Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5 on an old school boombox, and later playing games like Rock Band. Music lessons soon followed and toys turned into real instruments, eventually leading to the formation of We the Commas. “This first project is really vulnerable,” says Cam, “and we’re really excited to share our story with everyone and have them connect to our experiences.” That openness stems from the band’s brotherly bond, which in turn strengthens the music. It’s natural for siblings to bicker and not get along often, but the trio quickly realized they needed to rely on each other as peers in order to be successful. “We’ll sit in studio sessions and we’re in awe of each other’s work,” Jordy explains. “It’s insane to see how connected we are. We can be separated for a week, but when we get back into the studio we take notes of what’s been going on in our lives and what we experienced. This cohesive story just comes together.”
As impressive as their story and sound is the integrity behind it. Lenny, Jordy and Cam Comma realize that from the outside looking in they don’t embody what the world might envision as “beach boy surfers.” Given their personal mission to break down racial and social constructs, We the Commas are committed to keeping their values at the forefront of everything they do. Lenny adds, “[Being Black] influences our music, because it tells our experiences. Especially where we live, there are not a ton of people who look like us, so we’ve learned to be the most authentic version of ourselves. We’re trying to do something different that people haven’t seen before… the overarching goal is to let people know that no matter what, don’t let fear or social norms restrict you from doing the things you love.”
To date, the genre-bending band has heralded support from Affinity Magazine, Alternative Press, American Songwriter, idobi Radio, indie88, PopMatters, Popular TV, Spindle Magazine, and more.
We the Commas are in the studio and plan to continue releasing content independently through 2020, ahead of their SARB EP later this fall.
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