Noah Whiteside and the Dangers of Pop Music

For artists who are used to writing on a guitar, the switch to electronic instruments can be a risk. It takes a certain amount of vulnerability to step outside of your comfort zone, and try something new. But for punk rocker Noah Whiteside, the risk paid off.

Self-recorded over the course of six months, Whiteside’s Pieces of You does not sound like the songwriter’s first foray into electronic production. Rather, it’s a masterful exploration of what makes electronic pop music so immediately accessible. While fans of The Postal Service are bound to like this collection of songs, Pieces of You also bears resemblance to some of the larger electronic records that have been released in recent years. Carly Rae Jepsen’s EMOTION and Tegan & Sara’s Hearthrob come to mind. While Whiteside’s production is far more intimate in both scope and tone, the melodies have that inescapable 80s openness. The songs were constructed in bedrooms and kitchens in the Northeast, but those melodies soar into the stratosphere.

Take the second track, “Over Now.” With its auto-tuned vocals and the repetition of the phrase “I’m doing just fine,” the song would almost fit on the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie. Similarly, the melodies on the title track are equally bittersweet. On top of an infectious house beat, Whiteside sings, “So I’ll continue to waste my days away / Counting cars until I see you in my dreams.” Beyond the brilliance of the production, it’s just a song that is bound to be swirling in your head for days. It’s a song that has that ability to transport the listener. And while the subject matter of the song is bleak, I couldn’t help but smile while listening. 

And while the album is full of nostalgia, “Fake Machines” tackles the important questions of humanity in the 21st century. It’s no secret that many artists are fascinated by cell phones and the way that technology has become intertwined with human cognition. On Fake Machines, Whiteside sings, “Before you leave / Could you find the time to spare some sympathy / Cause I’m a ghost / computing functions from a fake machine.” The lyrics are all-the-more poignant due to the synthesizers and drum machines that make up the backing track. We can’t escape all of this new technology even if we tried. 

In the EP’s description on Bandcamp, Whiteside writes, ”My goal with this project was to marry formulaic songwriting and electronic house music.” I think what this EP really shows us is the inherent danger of pop music. It’s dangerous to be vulnerable, to wear your heart on your sleeve. Through these melodies and lyrics, Whiteside lets us into his private little world for just under 30 minutes. It’s comforting, in a very danceable kind of way. 

So put on a pair of headphones, grab your skateboard, and let Pieces of You worm its way into your heart. 

We had the immense privilege of being able to ask Noah a few questions:

– You come from the punk and rock world with your band Cook Bag. What set your electro solo project into motion?

I’ve loved Electronic music for as long as I can remember. Growing up I was definitely a punk/rock kid but I would always hear pop and rap songs on the radio and always be fascinated with the beats and the synth textures. In high school I got super into bands like Joy Division, New Order and a lot of 80’s pop. I definitely think there are aspects that both punk rock and electronic music share. 

– What excites you about home recording? 

Home recording is starting to be my favorite way to record. Just being able to do anything without worrying about budget or time. Usually in a studio setting you’re on the clock because that stuff is expensive and you don’t really have time to try new things. For instance, I spent three days getting a snare sound to where I wanted it on this record, you can’t pull that stuff in a studio! 

– You mentioned that you wanted to stick to “formulaic songwriting” on this project. What does that look like for you? 

For me it all goes back to the Beatles. Formulaic, sticking to the structure. I wanted to blend intro/verse/chorus songwriting with electronic arrangements and I think I did an OK job. Rush is one of my favorite bands of all time, their songs are all over the place and I love all that stuff it’s just not something I would ever sit down and write.

– Were there any themes or events in your life that guided the lyric-writing process for Pieces of You? 

The main themes of the album are isolation and feeling alone even though you’re not alone. I think with everything going on in the world right now a lot of people would be able to relate. I’ve always been introverted even though I come off as being off the walls. I’m sure there’s an official term for that haha. Recording the album entirely by myself also played into that feeling. It’s an overwhelming sense of freedom but it can also be creatively dangerous. 

– What is in store for you in the (hopefully COVID-free) future?

In the *hopefully* COVID free future my band Cook Bag is going to put out our new record we’ve been sitting on for a while and *hopefully* we’ll be able to play some shows and get that ball rolling again. I think we’ve got a long way to go before shows come back but I’m praying. I’ve also started recording my next solo album. One of the positives that came from this solo experience is it had me writing two, three songs a day so I’ve got a ton of material, I just have to weed out the good ones.