Band Spotlight : Short Lived

Photo Credits: Michael Carter || IG: @michael.friendo

 Forthcoming from the desert city of Phoenix, AZ, Short Lived brings a new kind of refreshing, intense energy to the Midwest emo scene. The band from the “Valley of the Sun” city portrays the nostalgic emo sound while also managing to bring a crisp, modern sound to the familiar mellow twinkling riffs fans recognize on the spot. Both “Dreams” and “Sun” off their newest album “Love to Give” gives off the pop punk genre with a new wave of lyricism to truly portray what Midwest emo and emo music stands for and what they indicate. Short Lived portrays their way of developing music to make listeners know that they are not alone and also give hope for the future in times of confusion and worrisome. My favorite track off their new album is called “Fight Night,” and it’s a great example of future hope. Part of the song states:

And I wish things could turn out differently

Striving just to live on endlessly, but

I won’t give in quite so easily

I’ll hold on to you so fearlessly

For you, you are mine

My golden light

And in the dead of night

For you, I’ll always fight”

Those lyrics alone indicate how life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but there’s still hope for the best. Life isn’t over just because you’ve had a bad day, month, or even year. I truly admire not only the song, but rather the whole album itself. As the type of person who would always say “It was never a phase” growing up, it definitely speaks to me as I have grown older and wiser. It’s a message that I believe older and younger generations need to hear and absorb into their minds while in the scene. As life goes on, we often get wrapped up in sad songs and sit in the pool of sadness while never looking for hope. Short Lived has changed my perspective on what it means to be emotional and embrace being a sad music lover.

“Love to Give” is truly one of the best Midwest emo album I’ve heard in a while. The overall production on this album is fantastic, from the instruments blasting and soothing in well with the vocals to the lyricism and relation of listeners wanting to feel validated in their feelings and emotions. They are certainly present in every track while not being overbearing on their sound. My overall thoughts on this new album are positive and hopeful for what this band has to offer in the future. 

From their powerful messages to the crisp production, Short Lived are making consistent steps in the right direction to make themselves more known to the growing crowd. These amazing musicians also have other collaborated projects, such as the hardcore band “Bite the Hand” who will I be interviewing next month, so stay tuned for that YouTube video. My final note, if you’re a fan of Midwest emo and are looking for a new band to check out and have a good time listening to new music, go give Short Lived much love, appreciation, and good vibrations!

Co-written by: Ted Ryan and Angelica Correa

Edited by: Angelica Correa