Singer & songwriter, Tucker Pillsbury, known publicly as Role Model headed onto the Zach Sang Show following the release of his new singles "Oh, Gemini" and "Deeply Still In Love". Within this intimate conversation does he air out speculation, commentary, and the soul-soothing new music he has on the way.
Role Model
When asked about the difference in energy of this body of work compared to his prior discography, he instantaneously described the new music as a "massive step up in maturity for myself", "nostalgic", and "a mature album about heartbreak... not being where you want to be, geographically, not being where you want to be and missing home". Although this new piece of art teeters on the storyline of heartbreak and the emotions that follow, he utilizes this newfound openness into "Kansas Anymore" for therapeutic purposes as he openly discusses the world of heartbreak.
Within the interview, the songwriting process was described as one of the easiest sessions he's ever had, such that it became his true therapy to grieve what once was. He felt as though the words had poured out of him, piecing together right in front of his eyes.
Despite the vulnerability laced within the album, Tucker describes his relationships & friendships around him as surface-level, purposefully careful to not delve under the hard shell they each put up. He finds that distance and even space from those closest to him proved beneficial to him as he relishes in the "lonely" feeling whilst having the knowledge that someone out there whole-heartedly adores him.
Although his relationship with internet personality, Emma Chamberlain was kept private, we as viewers were able to glimpse into the small window of their connection, the unfortunate end, and the lessons that had come from his experiences.
Role Model
The format of the album was crafted during the final moments of this relationship and the immediate aftermath, which poses a unique and beautiful collection that deeply describes their storyline. A few themes he touched on in the beginning portion of the album hint at notes of [as quoted by Role Model] "I still have hope", "I'm sorry", "I see this coming", "I think this might work out", and"we'll make it through". Whereas on the other half of the track list does he sit and have all of the time in the world to think back on the timeline. Tucker continued to describe the goal for this new addition to his discography, which is to curate a complete mood that lived together in its own world.
As he eased himself into reality following the break up, he describes the loneliness that quickly followed suit, but also the necessary shove in the direction towards normalcy and slowly dipping back into social settings.
Although Tucker teased 5 tracks thus far off of the upcoming album, two of which have officially released with three still in the vault. He disclosed a scrapped album that was set to release before "Kansas Anymore", however, he shifted his focus. Although we may never catch a glimpse into the unreleased album, two of the tracks on the 2024 collection are included in the upcoming drop.
The first released single, "Oh Gemini" describes the gnawing feelings of longing for your partner, from the good, bad to the ugly whilst being an insurmountable distance away. At this point in his relationship timeline, he's sitting at the end where they're both pulling & pushing away from one another, which is forcing them to let go altogether. This track was chosen to kick off the new album as he quotes it as his most proud piece of work on "Kansas Anymore".
In addition to the craftsmanship and lyricism, he worked alongside Kasey Musgraves and Golden Hour, who are two of his most renown artists in the industry. He not only adored the songwriting process, but had also settled on the visuals that would enhance his elevated and mature style. The accompanying music video takes place in a club-like environment to represent his shift back into the real world, such as being surrounded by others and even the euphoric exploration of self as well as freedom.
His most recently new single from the new album, titled "Deeply Still In Love" is the flip side to his album where the relationship has ended and Tucker is left sitting with the remnants of the the emotions. As he tries to forget about her through distractions, replacements, distance, he can't seem to shake her. He even states that their coupling was bound to end and soon she'll find someone who will give her what she needs. The music video for the new track depicts the singer out on the town masking his pain with liquor and ignorant decisions that repeatedly come with a cost.
As the miniature film ends, Tucker leaves the bar, seemingly pleased following his stint onstage, however, as he exits the establishment, the mask fades and loneliness begins to creep in.
Role Model described the creative process of the new album, which spanned over a few months, as an opportunity to strip himself of the excess and salvage his artistry through going back to his routes. A majority of the body of work was written and produced whilst in his hometown of Maine where he felt the as though creative process was a full-circle experience for his career as the beginnings of his music sprouted in the same location.
After branching out and heading over to the LA music scene did Tucker feel a pressure as well as a disconnect from his music by being surrounded by talented professionals in the studio. Despite the connection and success he's had working alongside fellow producers, he missed the simplicity and power he had over curating the music himself.
The album's title,"Kansas Anymore" is a riff of Dorothy's iconic line in The Wizard of Oz's, symbolizing the crossing over into uncomfortable situations and unfamiliar territory as he is currently weaving through heartbreak & the uneasiness that follows.
Tucker's newfound openness and appreciation for vulnerability is easily identified within this collection of music. The new piece of art is officially out on July 19th with prospective tour dates towards the end of 2024 and into 2025.
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