Trash Pals – Perfect Dream (2024)
After bonding over feelings of homesickness at jazz camp, little did 13-year-olds Conor Rayne and Gabriel Schnider know they had formed a lifelong friendship; a friendship that would take them from a camp to exciting musical projects. Between then and now, Rayne (vocals, bass and drums) and Schnider (vocals, guitar and keyboards) have worked in different bands while living in New York “always keeping each other afloat, especially during the difficult times”. Between Rayne founding the world-touring band Brasstracks, Schnider graduating from Julliard and performing at international jazz, folk and bluegrass festivals, the lads draw together their experiences, influences and knowledge as the US-based duo Trash Pals.
While Rayne and Schnider retain a fresh-faced innocence, musical rebels exist beneath the charming smiles. The lads are no strangers to the music industry but, according to Spotify, it was last year that Trash Pals turned heads with the debut single ‘Dinner At Sadie’s’. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Perfect Dream’.
Following the well-received EP Love Object, Trash Pals swagger into 2024 with ‘Perfect Dream’. Stepping away from their sound reminiscent of Nirvana and Sonic Youth, the new single weaves together elements of the Beatles, Radiohead and Coldplay. Interestingly, while a strong comparison can be made to these iconic artists, particularly the pop flair of the Beatles, ‘Perfect Dream’ has an obscurity signature to Trash Pals.
Soothing and laidback, listening to ‘Perfect Dream’ is like twirling about in a foggy sonic forest without a care in the world. Yet, while Trash Pals holds your hand and guides you through the kaleidoscopic mist, you should tread carefully to avoid the fragility within. Not a sad song by any means, ‘Perfect Dreams’ exudes rich warmth and light-hearted joviality; however, its carefreeness is woven in an intricate, complex arrangement of guitars, drums and keyboards. Trash Pals explains:
“After releasing our debut EP, Love Object, last November, we wanted to respond to the EP’s ethos – meeting the gnarliness of grief and change with acceptance and surrender – by introducing a feeling of warmth, resolve and intimacy as heard in ‘Perfect Dream’…. It is a photograph of that which is felt in dreams: colourful, warm and fragile upon waking. It is also about memory and how cherished moments are to be held closely but gently; like dreams, they can crack apart and vanish if held too tightly. The bridge of the song is our interpretation of the waking state that threads the aspirations, comfort and imperceptible images of dreams with the difficulties of reality…”
Find out more about Trash Pals on their Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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