{"id":22802,"date":"2018-03-21T15:30:54","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T19:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.audiofemme.com\/?p=22802"},"modified":"2018-08-09T17:04:33","modified_gmt":"2018-08-09T21:04:33","slug":"playing-detroit-the-true-blue-what-do-you-think-of-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.audiofemme.com\/playing-detroit-the-true-blue-what-do-you-think-of-me\/","title":{"rendered":"PLAYING DETROIT: The True Blue Tackle Post-Breakup Anxiety on “What Do You Think of Me?”"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The True Blue photo by Nate Sturley<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Metro Detroit indie-pop\/R&B group The True Blue has a knack for creating sultry songs that hit close to home. The band – comprised of Christian Koo (vocals, keyboards), Ben Wilkins (guitar), Koda Hult (bass), and Jake Burkey (drums) – has been playing together for around six years, but spent the past two years<\/span> honing the genre-blending, dreamy sound that defines The True Blue. <\/span><\/p>\n

Their latest single, \u201cWhat Do You Think of Me?\u201d unfolds like a poetic stream of consciousness, seamlessly combining Koo\u2019s spoken-word delivery and silky vocals. Wilkins\u2019 minimalist guitar riffs act as an anchor throughout the song, whether acting as Koo\u2019s sole accompaniment or buried beneath a layer of distant synths, whirring bass, and boomy percussion. The shape of the song mirrors the agonizing process of ruminating on an ex – overthinking, frustration, and letting go. <\/span><\/p>\n

Koo, who is known for his honest lyricism, says writing this song allowed him to work through some post-breakup anxiety of his own. \u201cIn my heart of hearts I know we\u2019re cool, but [\/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][the song is] just me putting every insecurity I had about the situation out there and sort of baring it all,\u201d says Koo. \u201cOnce you make that fear or worry into something that\u2019s tangible, then you\u2019re able to put it down.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The fears Koo voices in \u201cWhat Do You Think of Me?\u201d are all too relatable: \u201cWhat do you think of me, like if I post online? \/ \u2018Cause if I post a photo it\u2019s right there on your timeline \/ What\u2019s the initial thought? \/ Is it good or bad? \/ Or am I just overthinking everything I thought we had?\u201d For those emotionally mature enough not to block their exes (props to Koo), the immediate self-awareness in an era when so much of our lives is thrown out to the public can be crippling. You can literally see an ant-sized photo of any person who views your \u201cstory\u201d and, chances are, if you\u2019re heartbroken, you\u2019re only looking for one. <\/span><\/p>\n

Koo\u2019s vulnerable and open lyricism is part of what makes The True Blue\u2019s music so magnetic. \u201cThe True Blue has always been about staying true to your gut,\u201d says the frontman. \u201cWhen people tell me that our music has helped them through a rough time, it\u2019s just something that\u2019s really special in a really primal way \u2013 it\u2019s like, \u2018my soul connects with this.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Koo says the band is constantly evolving and changing their sound, we can be sure of one constant – relatable depictions of love, loss, and just being human.<\/span><\/p>\n

Detroit locals can see The True Blue perform at The Pike Room on April 5th.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n