Fresh off the release of their recent new single “No Problem”, indie emo pop punk rockers CAREER DAY will be releasing their debut effort “Where We’ve Always Been” on August 12 via Old Press Records, and to tease it a bit, we have teamed up to give you their top inspirations and artists worth a check if you haven’t already.
On their new record, CAREER DAY picks up right where they left off from 2021’s EP Pride Was Somewhere Else, building off of the band’s strong songwriting while also showcasing a new explosive side, thanks in part to Billy Mannino (Oso Oso, Macseal) who mix and mastered the record. One of the new tracks is streaming below.
“This song goes out to everyone who has felt tokenized for their identity and has said “fuck off,” especially my Filipino friends and family. This album was a labor of love and catharsis. ” – comments the label.
Listen and check out the full list of CAREER DAY‘s inspirations below!
I Am The Avalanche
As much as I love the Movielife, I have such a great attachment to the songwriting and dynamics that mark IATA’s sound. The songs all feel so cathartic and raw emotionally but are so well constructed melodically. I love all their releases, but Avalanche United is a constant inspiration; I hold that up as a blueprint for a great emotive punk album.
Proper.
I wouldn’t have had the comfort and confidence in writing from and about race and identity in the songs in our upcoming album had it not been for Proper’s I Spent The Winter Writing Songs About Getting Better. Their passion shines throughout these biting punk songs about Black and Queer experience, and at a time where social media comments about any marginalized perspective become a cesspool, having a band like that do their thing unapologetically and successfully makes it all the more encouraging for other bands that feel there’s more to sing about than vague platitudes about suburban melodrama.
Kevin Devine
KD is by far one of my favorite lyricists. His ability to take either extremely heavy and/or heady conversations about life, society, and politics, and all make them work in very digestible and accessible melodies is such an incredible reflection of craft. The songs sometimes are like nursery rhymes for adults who want to learn more and/or become a better person.
Head Automatica
Probably controversial opinion, but this band was more impactful for me than Glassjaw. The hooks, especially on the deeply underrated Popaganda LP, shine so bright. Moreover, it’s always been cool to me how they embraced and leaned into the poppy sound, even against all the expectation and reputation of hard-hitting visceral grit of Daryl Palumbo’s previous work.
Oso Oso
-It’s pretty redundant to say at this point, but Jade is an incredible songwriter. Always has been, going back to the State Lines days, but he just gets better and better. Every section of every song he writes is so wildly clever and catchy, made even better by how cohesive the releases all sound together.
With The Punches
-when I think of WTP, beyond the fast catchy pop-punk that deliberately shied away from the vapid tendencies of the genre, I am most struck by the band’s culture of earnest connection with the scene, fans and bands alike. I’ve seen them on big stages, bowling alleys, and classrooms, and in any form, every WTP show has the same joyous camaraderie throughout.
On the Might of Princes
-back in high school, a friend had an extra ticket to their (at the time) last show and suggested I’d go with since I “liked emo and screamo.” The friend showed me Where You Are and Where You Want To Be, and I was down to go. Not knowing what to expect, as it was my first “local” show, I was amazed at how much of an impact they had for so many people (I vaguely recall them shouting out someone who had flown overseas just for the show) packed into this bar. Really was formative as to just how many different paths and forms there are of having a “successful” and “meaningful” ride as a band/artist.
Paul Simon
-a legend and fellow Queens College alum. I remember hearing my parents play him around the house a bunch when I was little. Now, as an adult I spin “You Can Call Me Al” when I’m flying high and “Still Crazy After All These Years” when I’m staring at the abyss. Appreciate a talent able to create
50 Cent
Get Rich Or Die Trying is a classic and “21 Questions” and “Many Men” are all-time songs. Moreover, 50 had a quote, I believe from some MTV album rollout interview, that’s always stuck with me, regarding releasing music. Something along the lines of how “artists are lying when they say they make records for themselves; if you did, why’d you put it out then?” The sentiment that, if you’re putting music out, chances are it’s because you explicitly want it to be spread out and enjoyed by others, was refreshingly candid and concise in a sea of “we really just wanted to make this just for us” type sound bites.
They Might Be Giants
As probably was the case with other millennials, my introduction to this band was the Malcolm in the Middle theme song. While that song does rock, listening through their discography, they are remarkable in their ability to write songs, seemingly about anything, ranging from sweet to strange, and do so with a levity that never really feels contrived or fake, and do so with the longevity that they have had.
