Basking in the Glow

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You (ft. Nick Bramlett)
[Project K's Radio Remix]

We are still basking in the glow of the love and enthusiasm you’ve shown for our latest release, "Then There Was You."

There is something special about Candy Apple Blue covering Dead Or Alive that truly resonates with our listeners. Perhaps it’s because we're all Generation Xers, having grown up with the same great music. 

Pete Burns taught us all to be bold, to be ourselves, and to find happiness through self-expression. His songs hold a special place in our hearts and bring back euphoric memories of our youth. A time when we were young, fearless, and felt like anything was possible. 

As promised, part two of "Then There Was You" will be released on April 10th. Please find the official cover art for Project K’s Radio Remix pictured below.

Thank you for your continued support. 🙏🏻 

Big love, Candy Apple Blue 🍬 🍎 🟦 

#DeadOrAlive #PeteBurns #cover  

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You (ft. Nick Bramlett) [Project K's Rip It Up Remix]

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You
(ft. Nick Bramlett) [Project K's Rip It Up Remix]

  NEW MUSIC ALERT!  

 "𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮" 

This recording celebrates the 40th anniversary of Dead Or Alive’s 1986 album Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know and pays homage to the late Pete Burns. Following the success of our "Special Star" cover, we collaborated with Project K to create a 7-minute and 17-second Hi-NRG extended mix, prioritizing a lavish production over modern brevity.

The 24-bit 44.1 kHz WAV file is exclusively available here on our Bandcamp page.

Thank you for being so supportive!  -  🙏🏻 - 🍬🍎🟦

Produced by Candy Apple Blue & Project K

Written by Dead Or Alive

Mastered by Mike Marsh

Lead and background vocals by Nick Bramlett 

Additional background vocals by Candy Apple Blue

Artist: Candy Apple Blue

Release Title: Then There Was You (ft. Nick Bramlett)[Project K's Rip It Up Remix]

Record Label: Mrix Muzik Records

Release Date: March 27th, 2026

Track Length: 7:17

Composers: Mike Percy, Tim Lever, Pete Burns, and Steve Coy

Publisher Field: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. and Westbury Music Ltd.

ISRC: US-DY4-26-38173

Barcode: 823000021574

ISWC: T-011.614.581-3

Catalog Number: MXMK-510

℗2026 Mrix Muzik Records

Produced by Candy Apple Blue & Project K

Lead and background vocals by Nick Bramlett

https://www.facebook.com/TheNickBramlett

Background vocals by Carly Emerick

Additional spoken intro by Hoyt Emerick

Vocal Recording Supervisor and Sound Engineer: Carly Emerick

All vocals were recorded at Mrix Muzik Records

All synthesizers, drum machines, midi guitar, string arrangements, and VST instruments were programmed and performed by James Blair for Project K: https://www.projectk.co.uk/  

Written by Dead Or Alive

Mastered by Mike Marsh:

http://www.mikemarshmastering.co.uk

℗2026 Mrix Muzik Records 

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑊𝑎𝑠 𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒™ 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑜𝑠.

Experience our rendition and secure your copy now:

https://candyappleblue.bandcamp.com/track/then-there-was-you-project-ks-rip-it-up-remix

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐊 / 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 🎵

 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐊 / 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫

Do you want to learn more about the music producer that we worked with on our forthcoming release, Then There Was You?

Then sit down with Project K as Tobias interviews him and asks the important questions.

Here you will find that James Blair is an incredibly humble guy with an immense amount of knowledge & talent. He has officially remixed some incredible artists like Kim Wilde, Ace of Base, and Dannii Minogue. It was an honor and a privilege to have him work on a Candy Apple Blue record.

Then There Was You (Project K's Rip It Up Remix) drops this Friday!

All My Blue Skies They Had Turned to Grey

Nick Bramlett (Vocalist)

"What a dizzy spin my whole spirit was in. All my blue skies they had turned to grey." ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮  (Release Day: 03/27/2026)

Recording Then There Was You

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You (ft. Nick Bramlett)

 "Recording 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 has been both artistically rewarding and challenging for us. Paying homage to our childhood musical hero isn't a task that we took lightly. We put an enormous amount of effort into this recording and hope that our fans will connect with our rendition." - Carly of 🍬🍎🟦

Then There Was You, the Highly Anticipated Follow-up to Special Star

Then There Was You, the Highly Anticipated Follow-up to Special Star

Candy Apple Blue "Then There Was You," the highly anticipated follow-up to Special Star. (Remixes by Project K)

Tags: Dead Or Alive, Pete Burns, 1986, (Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know), Hi-NRG, Dance-pop, Synth-pop 

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮

 

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥:

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Dead Or Alive's 1986 album Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know. (US Release Date: December 1986) To celebrate this glorious dance-pop album, we've decided to cover the deep cut Then There Was You from it. As many of you know, we've already covered Special Star from this same album. The enthusiasm and love that came in surrounding our release of Special Star inspired us to give a second Dead or Alive cover a go. We wanted to capture the same Hi-NRG spirit that was delivered in Special Star.

Deciding which song from the band's back catalog to cover next wasn't easy. When we approached Project K about the idea of working together, we faced the difficult task of choosing which song would be a good fit for us. Ironically, we both picked the same two tracks. It all boiled down to the haunting and ethereal Then There Was You or the energetic heartbreak anthem I Cannot Carry On. After careful consideration, we chose Then There Was You because we felt that there was more of an opportunity to explore new musical territory with it.

Given the current trend of releasing pop songs that are less than three minutes in length, we opted for the opposite approach. We've never been ones to follow the latest "trends," and more importantly, we know what our fans want. And that's a fully realized extended mix. We make music for real 80s music lovers. We want you to have a richer, deeper, and more meaningful listening experience. You deserve to have a lavish, spectacular, and highly produced performance on a grand scale. So, we're pleased to announce that the Rip It Up Remix by Project K clocks in at a full 7 minutes and 17 seconds. Come along with us on our "Then There Was You" musical journey, and let's "Take a trip you'll never forget!"

This two-part single release will include both Project K's Rip It Up Remix (Part 1) and Project K's Radio Remix (Part 2). It was created with an enormous amount of love and respect for the original version.

Sadly, this year also commemorates the tenth anniversary of Pete Burns' passing. He's been "Gone Too Long." However, his legacy lives on through his music. Covering these Dead Or Alive songs gives us a chance to pay homage to our childhood musical heroes.

It took a team of five people with unique skill sets (James Blair, Carly Emerick, Hoyt Emerick, Nick Bramlett, and Mike Marsh) to achieve this triumphant outcome. An enormous amount of time, energy, love, and artistry went into creating this sound recording. We have put our very best into it and hope you enjoy the fruits of our labor. If you would like to support our efforts, please consider purchasing it, sharing it, commenting on it, or adding it to one of your favorite playlists.

The 24-bit 44.1 kHz WAV file will be available exclusively on our Bandcamp page. As with all Candy Apple Blue titles, this release will also be available for streaming and for purchase on all the usual music platforms. (e.g., Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music, Deezer, etc.)

Part 1 Release Date: March 27th, 2026

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You (ft. Nick Bramlett) [Project K's Rip It Up Remix]

℗2026 Mrix Muzik Records

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑊𝑎𝑠 𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒™ 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑜𝑠.

Hoyt Emerick (𝑆𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟)

Composing original songs is where the real magic happens for me. Carly and I wrote a new song this year that may be our "Magnum Opus," as it is right up there with some of our best work.

While I am not ready to reveal the title just yet, I can say that the lyrics are equally as strong as the musical composition. The track is gothic, dark, and witty, featuring a haunting and hooky chorus. It feels great to be writing again.

~ Hoyt Emerick (𝑆𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟)

We Have 𝐁𝐈𝐆 News!

Hype Sticker

We have 𝐁𝐈𝐆 news! This Thursday, we will reveal the official cover art and our press release statement. Who's excited?

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You (ft. Nick Bramlett) [Project K's Rip It Up Remix] ☠️

𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤’𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬!

Candy Apple Blue - Then There Was You (Cover Art Photo Winners Chosen by Fans)

🏆🏆🏆 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤’𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬! 🏆🏆🏆

Hoyt, Nick, and I wanted to send you guys a warm thank you 🙏🏻 for participating in our poll. You guys have GREAT taste and picked the best photos of us to be used on the official cover art of our forthcoming 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ☠ cover of 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮!

Candy Kisses 💋, Carly

*Then There Was You is a deep cut taken from Dead Or Alive's 1986 album, Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know. 

𝐈𝐬 𝐀𝐈 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐭?

Hoyt Emerick (An AI Generated Poster)

Please take a moment to read this. 🙏🏻

A well-meaning Candy Apple Blue enthusiast recently sent in this AI interpretation of our original photograph of Hoyt. This image won our poll earlier this week. Despite its fabulousness, it now appears to be a bombastic, over-the-top rock-star movie poster.

A task that, likely, required only a few minutes to execute with a simple command prompt in AI would have taken me days to design in Photoshop. But at what cost?

AI "command prompters" might be unintentionally stealing or plagiarizing from real human authors' copyrighted works. This not-so-great AI takeover is replacing artists, musicians, filmmakers, book authors, mastering engineers, cartoonists, and photographers. It's even infiltrating the job market.

I don't know about you, but my electric bill has almost doubled since the AI takeover. Information-mining data centers are polluting our country, evaporating our water, distorting our perception of reality, and destroying lives. The environmental impact alone is grossly negligent.

I might sound old here, but maybe it's because I am. I'll be 54 this year, and I'm a proud Gen Xer. If these big tech companies don't stop putting profits before people, there will be no real art left. Hell, there might not even be a planet left. What will become of future generations?

I know all of this might sound trite or even contradictory coming from someone who's in an indie synth-pop band. Our original music is produced with vintage drum machines and synthesizers, most of which date back to the 1980s. But please know that we work hard to compose original lyrics, melodies, and chord progressions. It's our greatest hope that our works will make a real human connection. We use our own voices and put our lived experiences into our music creation.

So, let me ask you this. Do you think that AI technology has gone too far? And, if so, where do you draw the line? Could you answer honestly? Is this image AI slop or true artistry?

Sincerely, Carly Emerick (songwriter, audio engineer)

Which Picture of Carly Won the Popular 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 ?

Carly Emerick of Candy Apple Blue

The time has come to reveal which picture of Carly won the popular 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 ☑️! No. 4 was the winner by a landslide with a total of 38 votes!

The VOTES came in from all of our social media platforms. (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Bluesky) We want to thank everyone who contributed their feedback to help us decide which pictures of Nick, Hoyt, and Carly should be used on the official cover art of our forthcoming 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 cover of 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮.

#4 got the most love and the most votes. So the decision has been made. 🏆 Thank you all for your participation. 🙏🏻

1) xxxxx xxxxx xxx (13 Votes)  

 2) xxxxx xxx (8 Votes)

 3) xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx (18 Votes)

4) xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxx (38 Votes)

The song is now in the final mixing and mastering stages, so we can move forward with creating eye-catching, Pete-esque-inspired artwork. Stay tuned for more updates!

Vote for Your Favorite Pic of Carly!

Carly Emerick Photo Session for Then There Was You (Cover Art)

Our 3rd and final voting poll is now open! 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 ☑️ to help us decide which picture of 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 should be used on the official cover art of our forthcoming 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ☠ cover of 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮.

The popular vote is the winner, and only you can decide! Carly, Carly on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? #1 #2 #3 or #4 🤔 🧐 

Vote for Your Favorite Pic of Hoyt!

Hoyt Emerick Photo Session for Then There Was You (Cover Art)

The polls are open again! 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 to help us decide which picture of 𝐇𝐎𝐘𝐓 we should use for the official cover art of our forthcoming 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ☠ cover of 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮. 

Which image will win the popular vote? Only you can decide. Which one is your personal favorite? 

~ Candy Kisses 💋, Carly

Vote for Your Favorite Pic of Nick!

Nick Bramlett Photo Session for Then There Was You (Cover Art)

𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 to help me decide which picture of 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 I should use for the official cover art of our forthcoming 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ☠ cover of 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮. I'm leaning towards #𝟏, but I really like some of the other options too. I thought it would be best if we all had an "emergency meeting" of the minds to decide which picture of Nick is worthy of the cover art design. Nick is so photogenic. Which is your favorite? ~ Candy Kisses 💋, Carly

Billy Steinberg (Songwriter)

Billy Steinberg (Songwriter)

It's hard for me to put into words just how important this man's music & lyrics are to me. Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly's compositions inspired Hoyt and me to become songwriters ourselves. He was one of the great composers of our time.

His songs like True Colors, Eternal Flame, Alone, I'll Stand By You, and Taking a Cold Look spoke to us on a primal level. He was right up there with the very best of them. (e.g., Holly Knight, Jim Steinman, and Diane Warren)

When Hoyt and I first composed "Game Over," I remember saying to Hoyt that this could be a Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg song.  Then we both imagined what it might sound like if Heart had recorded it. 

Back in the 80s & 90s, when we were out record shopping, we'd often look at songwriting credits on albums and CDs to see if there was a Steinberg/Kelly song we didn't know. We'd always pick it up if we found one. 

Interestingly enough, last year, I got in touch with Billy via Instagram to discuss the idea of professionally recording True Colors with its original lyrics intact. He originally wrote True Colors for his mom. His first rough draft of the lyrics was very personal and very different. Tom Kelly rightly asked Billy to rewrite the song to make it more universal so that they could shop it to major artists. Anyway, this idea never came to fruition.

This one hits hard. You left us with so much, Billy. 🙏🏻

Sincerely, Carly

I Can See the Finish Line in Sight

Carly Emerick of Candy Apple Blue 

It's no secret that we've been working tirelessly, endlessly, and meticulously on our forthcoming DOA ☠️ cover of Then There Was You. 

Over these past few months, this song has completely consumed me. But having said that, it's also been artistically rewarding. Working with Project K on this collab feels like jumping into a safety net. James has been remarkably kind and patient with my process. Sometimes I feel like a turtle 🐢 in a rabbit 🐰 race. As an audio engineer, I work slowly, but I assure you it's for the greater good of the final output.

I am happy to report that I can finally see the finish line in sight. I have a few more hurdles to jump before I forward my work over to James in the UK for final mixing. 

Thank you for cheering us on! We are doing everything within our human powers to deliver another TOP NOTCH Dead Or Alive cover that will exceed your expectations. 

Candy Kisses 💋, Carly 

Candy Apple Blue Delays Dead or Alive ☠ Cover to Perfect the Sound!

 

Candy Apple Blue Delays Dead or Alive ☠ Cover to Perfect the Sound!

The wait continues, but the payoff is coming! 

Originally planned for Valentine's Day, the release of Then There Was You was postponed. Why? Because Nick Bramlett and the band refuse to compromise on quality. They've already captured foundational vocals and are now layering additional elements to craft something truly special.

This deliberate approach to deliver excellence reveals what separates artists who care: the willingness to delay rather than deliver mediocre work. The band is meticulously building atmosphere in the studio, ensuring every note serves their vision (because this level of perfection and dedication can't be rushed or scheduled). The sonic details matter, and Candy Apple Blue is investing the time to nail them.

This isn't just any cover—it's a full collaboration with Project K, and the team is committed to getting every detail right. They're committed to quality over deadlines. Candy Apple Blue's message to fans is clear: your support means everything, and the final track will deliver and deeply resonate! 

This postponement isn't a setback—it's a commitment to delivering something worth waiting for. In a world obsessed with content calendars and hitting deadlines, this feels rare. Candy Apple Blue is investing more time in the studio, creating the right atmosphere, and building something they know their fans will genuinely enjoy for years to come.

Key Takeaways:

• **Quality over timeliness** – Candy Apple Blue deliberately postponed their Dead or Alive cover past the Valentine's Day deadline to avoid rushing, prioritizing the final product over meeting an arbitrary release date.

• **Collaborative layering process** – The band is building the track in multiple stages, starting with foundational, vocals, then progressively adding layers, rather than completing it all at once.

• **Studio atmosphere matters** – Carly emphasized creating a special studio environment to capture the perfect sound, suggesting that metaphysics and emotional space will influence the quality of their musical output.

Dance Again by Candy Apple Blue

Candy Apple Blue 

"We've got to keep movin' on, going forward with our lives. There's such a sense of urgency. Yeah, shift it into overdrive!" - Dance Again 

Candy Apple Blue (2011)

Candy Apple Blue (2011)

 

David (2011 Single)

Until now, our song David was only available to purchase on Bandcamp or stream on YouTube. It was originally released in the fall of 2011.

David didn't make a big splash, but it was a sweet little synth-pop song that quietly drew comparisons from critics to The Human League.

Recently, a friend asked if we could make this song available on Spotify, so we kindly obliged. 14 years after its initial release, it's now available on all digital music platforms.

🙏🏻 - 🍬🍎🟦

Candy Apple Blue - David (Official Cover Art)

Give Me Time (ft. Josianna)

Our song 'Give Me Time' was the first single we released under our new band name, Candy Apple Blue. It features powerhouse vocals by the wonderful Josianna.

We watched Josianna perform at a piano bar in NYC shortly after our first band, The Inertia Case, disbanded. During this time in 2001, Hoyt and I were trying to give professional songwriting a go and shop our songs to major label artists. So we teamed up with her to perform lead vocals on this endeavour.

This song, 'Give Me Time', was one of four tracks on our songwriter's demo tape, which we sent to various publishers and recording artists. Recently, we decided to clean it up a little and remaster it. It's now available on all digital music platforms.

Recently, we decided to clean it up a little and remaster it. It's now available on all digital music platforms.


🙏🏻 - 🍬🍎🟦

Candy Apple Blue - Give Me Time (ft. Josianna) 
Official Cover Art

The Best Is Yet to Come

Candy Apple Blue - Prone To Panic (debut album)

Back in late 2010, I was 39 years old, and Hoyt was 37. We've just returned to music-making after a 7-year hiatus from our craft. We collectively decided it was high time to get back on the horse and pursue our passion again! The dream was still alive in both of us. The clock was ticking, and we both knew that we weren't getting any younger.

Initially, we thought we would record demos of our original compositions and seek out major label-supported recording artists to shop our songs to. As the phone sat silent, I turned to Hoyt one day and said let's start another band and release these songs ourselves. He reluctantly agreed, knowing that neither one of us could sing our way out of a wet brown paper bag.

Admittedly, at the beginning, I was full of doubt. I was certain we would never be able to achieve the same artistic heights that we achieved with our first band, The Inertia Case. Especially without our trusted lead singer, Elton Lin, by our side.

We painstakingly learned how to use Pro Tools and got back to work composing. The musical landscape had changed so much since the late 90s. I knew that the internet had created a whole slew of new opportunities. New digital music distribution companies were launching, allowing indie artists like us to get our music on iTunes. At that time, YouTube was taking off! I loved the idea of shooting our own DIY music videos and uploading them to that platform.

The first fruits of our labor ultimately became our band's debut offering, Prone To Panic. It was raw. It was punky. It was unpolished. It was glorious. It was exciting to be making music again. Our local newspaper, The Pittsburgh Press, called our first offering "Avant-garde."

15 years later, I'm proud to look back and think of all that we've achieved on our own. Our music continues to be heard and embraced all around the world. We have a small but loyal fan base who genuinely care about us and the music we make.

And to think that it all started with an album that we appropriately titled "Prone To Panic!" because we were panicking that the best was behind us. Now I believe that the best is yet to come.

Sincerely, Carly Emerick