Aaron Taos and Tyler Lindsay dig deep into their artistry as Showpony, channeling theatricality, grit, and raw emotion into their dynamic and spirited debut single, “Shine.”
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Stream: “Shine” – Showpony
Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, singer/songwriter Aaron Taos channels his roots into his newest creative outlet: Showpony.
While Taos is typically known for his lighter pop sound, he formed Showpony to explore his love of psychedelic and alternative rock. The band was born out of a desire to represent New Haven – a city close to Taos’ heart. Resonating with this mission, Tyler Lindsay joined forces with him to create the duo that is Showpony.
Their debut single, “Shine,” taps into a darker, more dramatic sound than the music they’ve previously made. Drawing inspiration from their shared experiences in New Haven, Showpony weave the city’s grit and character into their sound, lyrics, and overall aesthetic. With grungy textures and distorted guitars, the duo aim to personify New Haven as they know it.
Tightrope as she walks by
Straddling the afterlife
Smiling at the world outside
She waves goodbye, say goodnight
Wait to bow, the audience
is screaming for one more
Baby, it’s your last encore
Your time to shine, in the spotlight
Telling this story from the perspective of a stage performer, “Shine” challenges society’s perceptions of the entertainment industry. While shows offer an escape for the audience, they can take a heavy toll on the performers themselves – especially when passion turns into pressure, and performance becomes livelihood. It’s easy for artists to mask their inner struggles behind a smile. The crowd may be having the best night of their lives, while the performer is quietly unraveling. “Shine” speaks to the darker realities of show business, offering listeners a raw and revealing perspective.
“‘Shine’ is the second song we wrote for the Showpony project,” Taos tells Atwood Magazine. “Tyler and I will usually start messing around on acoustic guitars until a melody or chord progression emerges that catches our ear, and then we elaborate on that. That’s how ‘Shine’ came about. Thematically, the song is about a stage performer who ends her life in the most dramatic way possible—right in the middle of a performance. We knew we wanted the music to reflect that grandiosity, so the song is packed with lush acoustics, big lead riffs, and vocal harmonies. Tyler and I both love bands like The Last Shadow Puppets, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Clash—artists who incorporate theatrical elements into their work. That’s what we were going for with this track.”
And oh there she goes
Sending shivers down your spine
As she’s burning through the night
Oh there she goes
And it might just make you cry
How a star can’t help
but shine, shine, shine
The fusion of original storytelling, sonic ambition, and emotional weight sets Showpony apart from the outset. There’s something uniquely exciting about watching a band evolve from the very beginning, and Showpony are already making their mark.
Listen to “Shine” now, and claim your bragging rights for discovering Showpony early!
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:: stream/purchase Shine here ::
:: connect with Showpony here ::
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Stream: “Shine” – Showpony
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© Eddi M
© Eddi M
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