The world keeps getting weirder. Our devices connect and disconnect us more than ever. Our emotions turn into ones and zeroes on-screen. Our lives remain chronicled by cameras everywhere. We take one step forward and one step backward as a society daily in terms of technological, social, and interpersonal advancement.

All of that in mind, PRETTY AWKWARD is the moniker for the Seattle, WA alternative band formed by producer/songwriters Austin Held and Nicholas Wiggins. With the release of new single “Woozy” the band is using intoxicating melodies, a slinky groove, and an earworm chorus to forge ahead. In spite of the chaos of the world, they are out to prove that great songs never go out of style.

Held and Wiggins have been friends since they were young and grew up together in their hometown of West Seattle. Their long-time friendship and chemistry resonates throughout their music and shows their diverse musical tastes. Being fans of all genres of music, PRETTY AWKWARD have a wide spectrum of influences ranging from Pop to Rock and Hip Hop along with EDM, resulting in familiar sounds to such artists as Twenty One Pilots, OneRepublic and Bastille.

Speaking about the band name and its origin, Austin Held laughs and says “We thought it would be funny as fuck to go out on stage every night and say, ‘We’re PRETTY AWKWARD’”. The name represents us perfectly. It’s a bong-rip idea, but it does speak to how we view the human experience in this day and age. It’s an interesting time to be alive. Human DNA has altered. You could say it’s a commentary on how everything has evolved.”

The band members also underwent a series of their own evolutions. They both initially logged countless shows and a handful of releases in other projects before joining forces. Rallying around a shared vision, Austin and Nicholas holed up in a room in the SODO district of downtown Seattle at The Old Rainer Brewery and laid down the foundation for their new project. “Nicholas and I buried ourselves there for quite some time”, says Austin. “We kept our heads down and just focused on what we wanted to say and what we wanted to do. We totally committed to the vision.”

They wrote music for nearly a year before performing two sold out shows under the name G O L D N W O L F. Impressed by the band’s stage presence and inventive songcraft, Another Century/The Orchard signed the group during 2018. Reborn as PRETTY AWKWARD, they put the finishing touches on the new music.

A mosaic of cinematic keys, delicate guitars, and clever and catchy lyrics, the songs prove as unpredictable as they are undeniable. “We just sort of make what naturally comes out of us,” says Nicholas. “We never try to sound a certain way or do a certain thing.” Austin agrees, saying “We go all over the spectrum. “There are parts that are Alternative Rock (“Misfits”; “Bored”), but there’s an Anthemic electronic influence, too (“Higher”). You might find some hip-hop vibes in there (“Bad Habit”) and we are definitely Pop at points (“Hang Out”).

In the end, PRETTY AWKWARD makes a real connection with fans by simply being themselves. They’ve played sold-out shows in the Northwest and throughout the West Coast since their inception. “I just hope you can relate when you listen to us,” Austin leaves off. “If somebody takes away anything, it’s this level of relatability. You can interpret these songs in so many different ways. That’s a beautiful thing. The message is breathe, relax, and chill. It might sound like a pipe dream, but what else really matters? Life should be fun. We’re here to enjoy ourselves and play music.” Nicholas adds, “We all feel a little awkward sometimes in our lives. There is beauty and growth in those moments. That’s why we are all PRETTY AWKWARD.”

The band will be releasing their Debut Full length album, “Get Weird” on September 1st.

SOURCE: Official Bio

LINKS:
https://www.prettyawkwardband.com
https://www.facebook.com/PRETTYAWKWARDBAND/
https://instagram.com/PrettyAwkwardband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gQ4sNaO88EuYv8z8FUilY
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFcvf6qNU40sKQjN1Ql-IWQ
https://twitter.com/PrettyAwkward
https://www.tiktok.com/@prettyawkward
https://www.bandsintown.com/a/186129-pretty-awkward