MWN: Hello Hello! Please introduce yourselves!
Pros & iCons: What’s up? We’re Pros & iCons, NYC’s premier alternative pop tarts. We write catchy tunes with big vocals, dancy synths, and melodic guitar leads. We’ll make you sway and maybe make you wonder if you’re gay.
MWN: What defines Pros & iCons and what separates you from the rest of the local scene here in New York City?
Pros & iCons: Our sound certainly stands out among the other acts in the NYC music scene. We produce our own music and so we have our hands deep in the pot of everything that is Pros & iCons. We blur genre in a way specific to our various musical influences that results in something pop, yet alternative with a hint of arena rock, a touch of funky bass, and a sprinkle of theatrical vocals.
MWN: Who (Or what) are your biggest inspirations?
Pros & iCons: We like to touch the frequencies of life—to put our fingers on its pulse—and we’re working toward better capturing that in our music. Our experiences until this point have inspired us, no matter how good nor bad. The high, the lows, they’ve begun and will continue to coalesce in what we write. If you tune in, you might just feel the frequencies and understand the words. We’re not your average alternative pop tarts.
MWN: Any Aspirations or Goals for the Band?
Pros & iCons: Aside from taking over the world? We’re currently writing and recording new music. Content will be our king in 2020 as we roll out the best music we’ve yet to write along with a vision and aesthetic we have yet to share. Honesty and authenticity will become our best companions moving forward, and we hope that will take us to bigger stages, both physically and digitally.
We originally fell in love with music because it gave us a sense of belonging. With every song and stage, we have an opportunity to provide a community for those who feel displaced and find the world crazy like us. We plan for the new music and videos to be our best yet in hopes to cast a wider net and thus a larger inclusive community.
MWN: You guys just released your single Sword & Stone. What was the story behind it?
Pros & iCons: “Sword & Stone” explores the inner dialogue of doubt and self-reflection musicians face during our quests for success. Though, the song isn’t specific to musicians; that’s simply our interpretation. The song speaks to any person who believes life has led them astray. “Sword & Stone” alludes the tale of King Arthur pulling Excalibur from its stone as irony to express this adult anxiety through a children’s tale. Sonically, the song is a precursor of sorts that ends maybe too soon and leaves the listener wanting more. As we will soon be releasing more new music, this was intentional. It also translates really well live, so it’s become a fun addition to our live set.
MWN: I’m aware that you guys have been touring across America for a lot of the past year. How was tour life? Any interesting stories?
Pros & iCons: We almost died on the Colorado Mountains. Our van lost traction and, with the help of our clumsy and bulky trailer, got jackhammered (look it up) 10,000 feet above sea level in a record-breaking blizzard. Aside from that, lots of sticker-stained bathrooms and beer-battered aromas. There’s never a dull moment on tour, but performing in front of receptive and positively-charged fans makes it worth the fuss.
MWN: Lastly, where can people find you guys and your music?
Pros & iCons: You can find our music and our brand spankin’ new single “Sword & Stone” on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. With new music on the horizon, we’ll be posting more videos—both music videos and documentary-style videos—to our YouTube channel (youtube.com/prosandicons). And, if you want to chat with us directly, DM us on Instagram (@prosandicons). Though most bands say this, we mean it: we love to hear from new faces and to learn what people think of our tunes. It’s the fuel in our engines. It keeps us chugging forward.
By: Kelly Liu | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!