If you’re looking for a bit of maximalism today, look no further than NOT THE MAIN CHARACTERS. The LA-based electropop trio deal in thumping, spiraling blends that practically seem to squirm behind their triumphant vocals. With the wit of, say, Tinashe and the syrupy yet punchy hooks that bring the likes of BLACKPINK to mind, they couldn’t be more plugged into the now.
The members – Gabi Gotts, Perrin Xthona, and Tammy Gonzalez – began writing together via Zoom just as the pandemic began truly locking everything down, and soon found themselves properly melded together.
Their latest single, “lava”, explores the downside (or should we say dark side) of fame, with the members gliding over a frantic beat while reflecting on the grim realities of their industry, particularly for women. The trio share, “We wrote ‘lava’ back in 2020 when we were just starting NTMC and felt like smol children attempting to navigate our way through the music industry. All the lyrics are satirical; combining our own experiences alongside extreme examples of what the industry has done to iconic celebrities such as Britney Spears. Though we are far from that level of relevance, it was a fun thought experiment imagining ourselves dealing with that level of scrutiny. Despite the song being about the entertainment industry specifically, it’s also very applicable to everyday social settings. Even a normal party or casual coffee meeting can have you feeling like you’re walking on eggshells and trying to avoid invisible obstacles.“
Check it out below, and look out for the trio’s debut EP, BAD THINGS COME IN 3’S, come May 20th.
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