Poems Navigate the Uncertainty of New Love on Indie Rock Single “SLOW”

San Diego-based indie rock band Poems are exploring the complicated emotions of new relationships with their latest single, “SLOW,” a relatable release that captures the uncertainty of falling for someone while trying to protect yourself from getting hurt. Produced and mixed by Simon Dobson, whose credits include Rum Jungle and CHEEKY LEASH, the track introduces another side of the five-piece band's evolving sound.

Comprised of Philip Ernest, Grayson Hagopian, Zae Howell, Sam McCubbin, and Jeremy Smucker, Poems have developed their musical identity around blending nostalgic influences with contemporary indie rock sensibilities. With “SLOW,” the band turns its attention to the emotional push and pull that comes with getting to know someone romantically.

The song explores a familiar dilemma: how much of yourself should you reveal when you're unsure whether the other person feels the same way. Rather than presenting romance as something straightforward, Poems examine the internal negotiations between vulnerability, hesitation, and the desire to let things unfold naturally.

It's a subject that feels particularly relevant in today's dating culture, where appearing emotionally unavailable can sometimes seem safer than being honest about what you want.

Beyond the release, Poems continue gaining momentum following their first West Coast tour, performances at venues including The Viper Room and Belly Up Tavern, and features in SPIN and Billboard Brasil.

With “SLOW,” Poems demonstrate their willingness to explore different musical directions without losing sight of relatable songwriting. The result is a thoughtful addition to their growing catalog, reminding listeners that sometimes the hardest part of falling in love is deciding whether to let yourself.

“Slow” explores the emotional uncertainty of developing feelings for someone while trying to protect yourself from getting hurt. What inspired the song, and do you think modern dating culture has made people more afraid of being vulnerable than they are of losing a genuine connection?

It feels like these days everything is coming at you all at once. With social media, online dating, and meeting new people in real life. Who could focus with all that coming at you? Our attention spans are at an all-time low. I think our need for constant entertainment and mental stimulation has made modern dating difficult; yes, it’s almost like if you don’t get whatever it is you’re looking for immediately, boredom may set in.

As a five-piece band, you're bringing together different personalities, musical influences, and creative instincts. How does a deeply personal experience evolve into a song that represents the entire band, and have there been moments when someone's interpretation completely changed the direction of a track?

For us, the writing process is very much born from a jam session at practice, or someone bringing in a cool guitar part or melody they wrote away from the band and seeing if we can flesh it out and turn it into something. So the meaning of the songs usually will come after we can get a sense of the vibe/tone of the instrumentation. 

Your music draws from nostalgic influences while maintaining a contemporary indie rock identity. With so many emerging bands revisiting familiar sounds, what do you believe separates genuine artistic influence from simply recreating something that's already been done?

I think it really starts with making music you love making. Going into a songwriting session with nothing else in mind. No artist, no tone, nothing, and see where the song goes from that point. It’s also important to find your strengths and hone those in, rather than trying to fit a mold. It took us a while before we found our “sound”; we threw things at a wall to see what stuck, and that’s okay too in the beginning. But finding a strength and ignoring outside noise, I think, is where you can get some real artistic creativity going. 

You've performed at venues like The Viper Room and Belly Up Tavern, completed your first West Coast tour, and received recognition from publications including SPIN and Billboard Brasil. What has experiencing the realities of the independent music industry taught you that you couldn't have understood when you first started the band?

That it’s not simply talent that gets you to where you want to be, which is a tough pill to swallow. You can have a song that might be the next hit, but if you don’t push it, if you don’t work hard on marketing it, no one will hear it. Being an indie artist has so many pros in today’s scene, but we’ve learned that you have to be proactive to keep up with the pace, and that’s what we intend to keep doing. 

“Slow” raises an interesting question about timing, emotional readiness, and the fear of moving too quickly. Beyond romantic relationships, have you found yourselves confronting those same feelings while building your music career, particularly when deciding whether to take risks, pursue opportunities, or trust that you're ready for the next chapter?

Without a doubt, yes! Sometimes nothing happens, and while those times are tough mentally, patience is key. When first starting out, it is so overwhelming because of all the things you have to get done, when to get them done, and who to trust to get those things done. We used to take every show that came our way.

Which at the start is okay, but we have realized in the past 2 years it’s not always the best. Fatigue can set in pretty quickly. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race; it’s about building something that will last. We have spent the time and built the right assets to get us to where the next chapter is for us, and we’re excited for it.