INTERVIEW: Paige Keiner drops new single

Paige Keiner’s latest release, “Crying in the Drive-Thru”, is an anthem for anyone who has ever gone through a breakup and found themselves sobbing in a fast-food parking lot. The Nashville-based artist channels her early 2000s pop and rock influences, infusing her unique sound with catchy melodies, relatable lyricism and vulnerable storytelling.

From the first few notes, “Crying in the Drive-Thru” delivers an instantly catchy and upbeat energy. The driving guitars and energising drums create a pop-punk-infused sound that perfectly complements Paige’s powerhouse vocals.

The lyrics reveal a universal truth: sometimes, life just sucks. In this case, the end of a relationship has left Paige feeling lost and alone, and the only thing that can make her feel better is a fast-food fix. It’s a relatable sentiment that anyone who has ever been heartbroken can relate to, and Paige’s storytelling is as authentic as it is catchy.

The production on “Crying in the Drive-Thru” is superb, with a perfect blend of instruments shining brightly while Paige’s vocals are the star of the show, effortlessly carrying the melody and imbuing every word with emotion. Her range is impressive, moving seamlessly from soft and vulnerable to powerful and anthemic.

Overall, “Crying in the Drive-Thru” is a standout single that showcases Paige Keiner’s endless songwriting and vocal talents and it’s a testament to Paige’s ability to create music that is both relatable and infectious. With a six-song EP on the horizon, it’s clear that Paige Keiner is a rising star to watch in the pop-rock world. Her unique sound and authentic storytelling set her apart from the pack, and “Crying in the Drive-Thru” is another gem in what is sure to be a long and successful career.

We caught up with her to find out more about her musical journey, her new single and what she’s got lined up for the future. Catch our interview with Paige Keiner below.

What was your biggest highlight in 2022 as an artist?

I worked on some of my favourite music I’ve ever made last year, so that was a huge highlight! It’s been a journey to find my sound, and last year the music I started releasing really felt like the truest version of me that I’ve shared so far. It’s such a cool feeling to get to that point and I’m excited to keep sharing more this year and beyond!

How did you first get into making your own music?

I started out taking piano lessons as a kid, and eventually started singing and playing my favourite pop songs. I moved on to the guitar after that and started writing my own songs when I was about 13. After a couple of years I started working with a guitar teacher who was also a producer and a mentor to me, and we worked on my first EP together. I loved getting to write and record my own songs, especially at such a young age – it was an amazing opportunity and I know it played a huge part in helping me grow into the artist I am today.

Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?

Ah there have been so many, but the first one I can specifically remember is probably the Fray! I remember hearing “How to Save a Life” and just becoming obsessed with the piano part and the song overall. That was actually the first pop song I ever sang and played on the piano, so I’d say it had a lasting impact on me for sure.

What do you love about the Nashville music scene?

The opportunity to collaborate with so many amazing artists, writers and producers is truly incredible. There are so many wildly talented people here and working with them has helped me grow artistically in more ways than I can explain. It’s also inspiring to be in a community of people who are all pursuing (and achieving!) their dreams – just a really cool thing to be a part of.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

I’ve always loved early 2000s pop and have really leaned into that for inspiration lately. Michelle Branch and Avril Lavigne have been big influences on my current project, along with newer artists like Maisie Peters and Kailee Morgue. I like to think it’s resulted in my songs feeling both nostalgic and current, or at least they feel like that to me.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I draw a lot from my own life and experiences when I’m writing my songs. Sometimes I come into a co-write and we just talk about life until we come up with a cool idea, other times I bring an idea that I came up with while scrolling on Twitter or watching TV. You never know when an idea might come to you, so I just try to keep an open mind (and write down any idea at all, even if it seems dumb – like I said, you never know!)

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

My favourite place to listen to music is in the car, and I’ve actually realised that I reference cars or driving pretty often in my lyrics (totally by accident, but it’s funny to notice). Because of that I’d say the car is the perfect setting to listen to my tunes. I personally love screaming/singing along to my fave songs when I’m alone in the car with no judgment. I hope people can feel free to do that with my music too.

How has your sound evolved since you started out?

I’ve gone through a lot of different phases when it comes to my music. I started out making very organic full-band recordings – still in a pop rock vein, but different from what I’m creating now. The next few singles after my first EP started leaning away from the rock side of pop rock, and then the next few singles after that were full-on pop. I loved getting the chance to experiment with different sounds along the way and I know I’ll keep evolving as I move forward, but I am definitely really happy with where I am now when it comes to my sound. 🙂

How did you find making your recent single “Crying in the Drive-Thru”?

I had the idea for the song after I literally cried in a McDonald’s drive-thru… I brought it to my co-writers Michael and Chuckie Aiello, and we had so much fun writing the song and just leaning into how ridiculous and embarrassing it is to sob in the drive-thru of all places. I brought the song to my producer Alexander Frieden and we ended up creating this really high energy production with such a fun pop-punk vibe. We threw in some goofy elements like the “cashier” (spoiler, it’s me with a telephone effect on my voice) saying “welcome to rock bottom, can I take your order?” – we didn’t hold back from having fun with it and I think that’s why I love the song so much.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

It’s okay to look back and laugh at yourself sometimes. It makes life a lot easier if you don’t take things too seriously. Feel your feelings, cry in the drive-thru if you feel like it – who cares? Maybe you’ll get a song or at least a good story out of it 🙂

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

I just saw Paramore play at the Grand Ole Opry recently and they were amazing, so I’ve been in a Paramore mood ever since!

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I would love for people to feel seen and understood when they listen to my music. Being able to relate to the lyrics in a song has always been so comforting to me and it’s one of my favourite things about listening to music, so I hope my songs can do the same for others.

What’s been your favourite live show so far?

I just played an awesome show at the East Room here in Nashville, and it was such a blast. It was my first time playing all the songs from my upcoming EP with the full band and the full setup, lighting, all that good stuff. Very cool to see the songs come to life in that way and I’m excited to play more!

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Oh man, I could come up with so many answers to this question! If I have to give one answer I’ll say the Killers, Paramore, and Death Cab for Cutie. I just feel like the vibes would be immaculate. I’d probably want it to be here in Nashville because why not!

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Just keep going. It can be tough and discouraging sometimes, but look for the moments that remind you why you’re doing everything you’re doing, like playing an amazing show or writing a great song. It might not always feel like you’re making progress and you might not be where you want to be, but if you take a second to look around you’ll see you’ve actually come really far! So keep going.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

I’m releasing more singles and an EP this summer. I really can’t wait to have this project out in the world and to play these songs live with the band. Super excited for what’s to come!

Listen to Crying in the Drive-Thru below