Rising San Jose-based duo comets near me have just released their debut EP, Don’t Pick the Flowers. This four-track collection, crafted entirely by Maria and Kyle in their backyard shed, showcases their unique sound and heartfelt songwriting.
Maria and Kyle’s journey began in December 2022, when Maria crashed Kyle’s birthday party. They instantly connected over their shared love for Green Day and Bright Eyes, sparking a creative partnership that quickly blossomed. By early 2023, they were spending every moment together, creating music in their shed. One night, they spotted a bright light in the sky, later identified as a comet. Sharing this story with their friend, Patrick, he jokingly asked, “Did you guys Google ‘comets near me’?” Inspired, Kyle responded, “That would be a good band name”, and comets near me was born.
The EP kicks off with “Pedestal”, the first song comets near me ever recorded together. It’s a playful diss track directed at folks that overcompensate for their own shortcomings by judging other people from the moral pedestal they crafted for themselves. The track doesn’t take itself too seriously and approaches the conflict with an open-door policy – “You’ll never change or see my point of view. But if you do, I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
Next is EP focus track “Hallway Light”, a reflection on childhood lies and their impact on adult life. The song questions the purpose of certain teachings and societal expectations, with no clear answers, only a lingering sense of pondering and yearning. Why were we told to believe in Santa? Why were we taught cursive in school? Why am I working this job? These are just some of the questions brought up in “Hallway Light”, which stands out with its juxtaposition of dreary vocals and sparkly bells in the background.
The emotional depth deepens with “The Last Time I Saw Him”, a delicate, finger-picked guitar track about losing a friend to a destructive path. It’s a poignant reminder of the helplessness one feels in such situations. The EP concludes with “Purgatory”, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the melancholic melodies. This track explores the struggle of being stuck in a transitional phase of life, where even simple tasks feel insurmountable. However, it carries a message of resilience and acceptance, encouraging listeners to take things at their own pace: “Maybe in a month, maybe in a year.”
Commenting on the EP, comets near me explain, “We came up with the title for Don’t Pick the Flowers at a photoshoot. One of the photographers knew some of the themes of the EP were growth and loss of innocence, so they suggested we pick some flowers for some shots. Moments later, we got reprimanded by a park ranger and thought it was funny. As a kid, picking flowers is a rather innocent thing. As adults, we continuously pick (or buy) flowers just to watch them die. Don’t Pick the Flowers to us means you don’t need to show off your growth to the world to prove it happened. It’s much better to let the natural growth cycle continue versus potentially cutting it short.”
Stream ‘Don’t Pick the Flowers’ now:
