A Short Walk to Pluto has developed a tremendous social media presence through TikTok and Instagram, where they regularly debut original music and covers of well-known classics. It was through that online presence that the quartet was discovered and endorsed by Howard Stern on his SiriusXM radio show.
The quartet dives headfirst into the whirlwind of change on their new single, “Nothing to Fear.” It’s about the bittersweet dance of leaving behind what’s familiar to chase the unknown.
Though much of their success is owed to their social media engagement, it is their genre-defying original music and energetic live performances that have generated a loyal, consistent, and far reaching following.
What can you share with readers about your new project?
We’re so excited about our latest release! We’re entering new territory here, releasing a stripped back acoustic arrangement about some very heartfelt material. We think the acoustic and vocal pairing really allows Emma’s voice to shine and convey the heaviness of the lyrics. They attempt to convey the difficulty in giving up something you love, even if it’s the right thing to do. We hope our fans can share their message here and use the song as a reflective meditation on their own difficult decisions.
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
This song takes a large step towards a more americana or folk-rock inspired track. We were very inspired by classic acoustic songs by traditionally electric bands. Songs like Landslide by Fleetwood Mac and Going to California were very inspirational in the arranging of Nothing to Fear. The song also features Max’s first ever slide guitar solo and really emphasizes the haunting and intimate nature of the song.
What about this single makes you most proud?
We are incredibly proud of the performances in this song. While we always put our best foot forward when recording, there was a certain magic that was captured when recording this song. “I remember coming out of the booth after recording the acoustic guitar and the engineer was almost in tears” – Max. Both us and our fans can agree that the vocal is some of Emma’s best work, most showcasing her incredible vibrato and breath control.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
We are hoping to accomplish two goals with this release. The first is to showcase to our fans the variety of music that they can expect from A Short Walk to Pluto. While we love our long, heavy rock tracks, there’s also a place for intimate acoustic songs about difficult material such as this. We are also looking to expand our reach to new audiences who traditionally listen to more folk-rock and singer-songwriter music. We can definitely confirm to them that this won’t be the last song we write in this style.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
We believe each of the band members is motivated by different aspects of the music. For example, Emma is motivated by the message whereas Max is motivated by the beauty in the harmony. Fundamentally, it’s about the listeners though. We want to create music that resonates with people the same way our favorite music resonates with us. If we can do that, there will be no shortage of motivation to make more music.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
A dream artist for us to collaborate with would be the band, Paramore. It seems like every time we work on new music, they become a larger influence. From their lyrics to outstanding instrumentation and Hayley WIlliams’ powerful voice, they are what every young rock band should be aspiring to be. A collaboration with them would be a dream come true.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
We’re currently answering this question while on tour and the last song we all just finished listening to together was “Feel Your Love Tonight” by Van Halen. Unbelievable track from the harmonies to the guitar! Always fun to sing along with or simply marvel at that band’s tightness. Our favorite groups these days are likely Paramore, The Police, Alanis Morristte, Rush, and The Beaches. We love our fellow Canadian artists and we’d be lying if there wasn’t a slight bias in those choices. Regardless, there are many amazing artists we love, these are just a few that heavily inspire us.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
We are on every platform out there however, our Instagram is the best way to keep up to date with what we’re up to. If you’re interested in lots of goofy behind-the-scenes videos, our TikTok is the place for you. If you want to hear our “Paramore meets The Police” type music, any streaming service will have us if you search for A Short Walk to Pluto
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
If you’re going through a difficult time and you have a tough decision coming up or know someone going through something similar, we hope our song, Nothing to Fear can be a source of comfort though that difficult time.
