Formed in 2010, This City Awaits is a two-piece rock collective hailing from Forth Worth, TX. Both seasoned artists, This City Awaits has three full-length albums and a slew of singles under their belt. With almost a decade of making music together, the show an increasingly spectacular catalog of versatility and musical knowledge. The passion for music that This City Awaits displays through their relateable songs is truly a sign of a love for the art form.
This City Awaits’ latest releases include “Here Again”, a passionate rock ballad with a captivating new music video to match. This project was released in April 2019, and was followed up by “Let Me Be”, an equally passionate single, released Sept 2019. “Let Me Be” truly highlights the direction and natural progression of the music This City Awaits are now creating. Self-described as “a simple, straightforward two-piece rock band” This City Awaits is so much more than just that. Their ability to turn a two-person project into a full rock band sound is incredible. The chemistry they exude through their powerhouse singles is proof of their experience and time they've spent together honing their craft. An unbelievable duo with a huge sound, stay on the lookout for This City Awaits!
Listen to music by This City Awaits here and read more with the duo below!
Welcome back to BuzzMusic This City Awaits! Can you please tell us how you two met and how This City Awaits came to fruition?
Darah: We first met in the laundry aisle at the grocery store when we were both reaching for the same detergent. I could just tell Phillip was in a band and was like “Hey! Let me play drums for you!” ...Just kidding. Haha. We met when we were both 16. A few years later Phillip suckered me into playing some shows with him when he was a solo artist. I stuck around and we decided to be a band. Sound about right Phillip?
Phillip: haha. I think we should stick with the first story. Jk. I remember we met thru a group of friends that wanted to put together a band for a contest. She was the drummer and I was the lead singer. We stayed in touch after the contest and she came on board to start playing with me when I was doing my solo stuff.
In nine years together we would have to imagine your sound has changed and evolved with time. How would you say your music now compares to the music you curated when you first started out in the music industry?
D: We were practically kids when we first started so as we matured so did the music we created. A lot of life has happened since then and we can draw from those experiences. We never set out to create one specific sound. We were actually just talking about how all the new stuff we are currently working on sounds stylistically different from one song to the next. I’m a lot more involved in the writing process now than I was previously. I think that has a lot to do with the evolution as well. When you start collaborating more with a person their particular style becomes integrated in the music and something new can be created.
P: I agree. We've never really stuck to one sound in particular. At the same time though the industry is also in a difference place. Certain genres of music were popular 10 years ago but no longer relevant today. We're aware of that and try to respond/write accordingly. That's an area we've changed and grown in. We used to just write whatever but now we question it more. Ask ourselves "is this the best we can do" we evaluate our lyrics even more. These are things we never did before.
We absolutely love your latest release! What predominant message was integrated within "Let Me Be”?
D: Most of the time when I write songs I start with lyrics and a melody in mind. This song started with just the music. I had this idea and my head that I wanted to mess with. I wanted the song to have a really relaxed feel to it. Something you could play and chill out to. When it comes to lyrics, I sometimes have a specific thought or idea that I build upon. For this song I remember thinking, “Could one moment with someone change everything?”
P: IMO this song is one of our best "love" songs. lol. I think the lyrics do a good job portraying the passion and "fire" feelings that we experience within relationships.
You seem to be a duo that puts more thought into their lyrics than most. What can you tell us about the lyrical depth within your most recent singles?
P: Thank you for saying that! We both write from personal experiences for sure. Sometimes I can get a little more conceptual, maybe too much. I ask Darah all the time "Does this make sense?' or "How can I word this better?" She can take some of my stuff that is more complicated and would go over peoples head, hell, it even goes over my head sometimes lol. But she can make it simpler and make sense.
D: For me, the lyrics I write start from a personal experience or an idea that inspires me. Either way, this creates a link between me and the song. We write songs about what is real to us and a lot of the time people can connect to them because it is real for them too.
Thank you so much for talking with us about your new singles and creative process. Can you describe how your performances feel? Do you enjoy live shows, or do you prefer the actual songwriting process? Also, any live shows coming up in the near future?
P: I love playing live. IMO it's when we're at our best. We've been told by many people that's when they feel the most connected to our music, it's not just a performance, it's an experience. Idk lol. They said it.
D: I have a love/hate relationship with songwriting. Sometimes I can write something in less than an hour and sometimes I get to where I feel stuck. I’ve had to learn to just step away when I am feeling frustrated because if I push it too much it stops being fun. Playing live is great because it’s a time to just kind of let everything go and connect with people. We haven’t played live in a while and I miss it. There’s a certain kind of energy to a live show that you can’t beat.