Party Nails, the musical project of the multi-talented Elana Carroll, is back with a brand new single, and it's a certified banger. 'First Responder', out now via Eye Knee Records, sees Carroll flexing her collaborative muscles and embracing a vibrant alt-pop sound that's as irresistible as it is empowering.
Originally conceived as a country song, 'First Responder' took a sharp turn towards shimmering synth-pop bliss thanks to the input of co-producer Ben Greenspan, who previously worked with Party Nails on her second album 'You Don't Have To Go Home But You Can't Stay Here'.
"Ben heard this Princey, Linn drum thing immediately, and it blew my mind!" Carroll recalls. This sparked a chain reaction of creative collaboration: Greenspan brought in a killer bassline from Jordan Brooks, and before long, Carroll was layering lush vocal harmonies, shimmering synths, and even a scorching guitar solo (performed with Vixen) on top. "I could hear in my head how I wanted it to sound, so I went ahead and did that," she says of the mixing process, highlighting her impressive DIY approach to music production.
The song tackles the all-too-familiar experience of being emotionally drained by someone constantly demanding your attention and care. "Without naming names, I was so tired of dropping everything to soothe someone who seemed to always have an emergency," Carroll confides. "I felt like my loyalty was being taken advantage of. I felt like I needed to take a stand for my own peace. And I wanted there to be a bit of humour in the songwriting as well." This blend of relatable frustration and wry humour gives the song its emotional punch, making it resonate with anyone who's ever felt like they're constantly on call for someone else's drama.
'First Responder' is the latest in a string of exciting releases from Party Nails, who has been steadily building a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the indie music scene. From her early days playing open mic nights in her hometown of Chatham, New York, to touring with the likes of PVRIS and Lights, Carroll has consistently honed her craft, developing a captivating stage presence that draws inspiration from icons like Madonna, Hayley Williams, and Sheryl Crow. Her musical journey has also seen her write songs for TV shows like Central Park, produce for artists like Deap Vally, and lend her vocals to tracks by LŪN, Urban Heat, and many others.
With her third album, 'Pillow Talk', due out in January 2025 on Eye Knee Records, Party Nails is poised to take her career to new heights. If 'First Responder' is any indication, we're in for a real treat. Southern California fans can catch Party Nails live with Letters to Cleo at Ventura Music Hall on November 15th and The Venice West on November 16th.
Connect with Party Nails,
