New Single from Columbus, OH's Trying

Photo: Collins Laatsch

"21"

Music draws a few types of people. There are those for whom the social aspect of going out to shows is just as important as the music. They go out to party and to have an experience with their friends. Then, there are others who are less about the partying and more about just being there for the music. I'm not saying that one is better than the other, but I've definitely experienced the odd-person-out feeling of being that guy who's there at a show by himself in the midst of hordes of people having a raucous good time. "21" by Columbus, OH's Trying captures that feeling pretty well.

Trying is the, mostly, solo project of Cameron Carr. Or, as Carr puts it, "Trying is basically my solo project with generous friends contributing their time and talent as I fiddle with children's instruments and guitar pedals in my bedroom."

"21" is the title track and lead single from Trying's debut, three-song cassette which is due out next Friday from Feels So Reel Music. Of the song, Carr says, "'21' is like the kid stuck in the corner at the party that really doesn't want to be there. It's the awkward look you get when you turn down free beer. It's the disconnect people who love the music not the party often experience in the DIY music scene."

The song's poppy jangle and Carr's vocal delivery place "21" somewhere in that mopey, twee pop space occupied by Belle and Sebastian or The Smiths, while the mostly acoustic (save for some distorted guitar that elbows its way into things) arrangement and clever lyrics recall songwriters like Jonathan Richman or Stephin Merritt.

Carr recorded and mixed the songs himself with mastering duties handled by Eric Sa.

Check out "21" right here and look for the full EP on 7/28 at your favorite outlet for those kinds of things or over at the Feels So Reel Bandcamp.

Trying have also announced that their debut LP will be out sometime in 2018.



Trying have a small set of Midwest dates coming up in support of the release.

7/21 Columbus, OH at Steak Sauce Studios
7/22 Detroit, MI at The Old Miami
7/23 Elyria, OH at Blank Slate