Aaron Taos of Showpony talks about the creation and development of his new band!
How are you doing today?!
Good! Just got back to LA after playing a solo show in Montreal. I had never been before but it’s an amazing city – excellent bagels if I might add.
Talk to me about Showpony and what it means to you as a project?
Showpony is a new band I started with my friend Tyler Lindsay. We’re both musicians from the same city, New Haven, CT. We actually met a couple years ago when Tyler was working in a barber shop – he cut my hair and we became friends. We connected on the music we grew up loving, Arctic Monkeys, Strokes, White Stripes. We decided it’d be a full circle moment to put our solo careers on hold and start a new project that really represented where we’re from, and the music that inspired us to make it in the first place.
Talk about ‘Shine’ and the meaning behind that tune too?
“Shine” was one of the first songs we wrote for Showpony. I believe it started with Tyler strumming on the acoustic and coming up with a theatrical sort of guitar progression. Since the instrumentation felt grandiose, we came up with a fictional story of a famous stage performer who, rather than fade out, ends her career in a blazing fit of glory. It’s all a bit hyperbolic, but it’s a fun one.
What is motivating you outside of music right now – specific people and places?
Outside of music? Traveling. I’ve been all over the place the last couple months: LA, New Haven, Puerto Rico, Montreal, Mexico… I’m a bit of an extrovert so meeting new people, trying new food, exploring cities – it all gets me inspired and excited. I can’t be in one place for too long or else I get stagnant. Living out of a suitcase keeps me on my toes.
How important is the visual aspect of the band?
Definitely a big component. One thing that excited me about starting a new band was the clean slate aspect. With my own solo project, sometimes I feel a bit like I have too many options. I switch up my sound and look a bit from project to project, but since it’s my own personal identity, I’ve never felt comfortable going completely in one direction. With Showpony, we intentionally boxed ourselves in: All images will be black and white, all pictures/video will be done in New Haven, the music will be alt/indie guitar rock. It’s been liberating to paint with just a few colors.
How was the move from New Haven to LA?
Truthfully I haven’t lived in New Haven for a while. I was living in Brooklyn for about 5 years and then LA the last 4 or so. My mom still lives in New Haven, so I visit quite often and find myself enjoying the city more and more. I think when you grow up in a smaller city like New Haven, you always want to get out. But then when you come back as an adult, you rediscover the charming (and not so charming) aspects you hadn’t noticed before.
How does this band push you in new ways as artists?
Finding the balance of collaboration. Tyler and I both have our unique skill sets, but meeting in the middle is where we strike gold. We push each other to make the lyrics just that much better or the guitar line just that much cleaner. It’s a healthy environment for making each other better.
Is there anything else you’d like to add before we finish?
Truthfully, I’m just excited to be in a band again. Over the years I think I forgot just how much being a kid and hearing Arctic Monkeys the first time changed my life. Then being a teenager and going to shows, seeing a rock band live, it’s a different experience than pop music. It’s loud, brash, imperfect – and for me that’s energizing. I can’t wait to get on stage and let loose some of that energy. Right now though, it’s time to finally roll out the music.
