Sid Dorey’s “Middle Seat” is a stunning sophomore effort that cements the indie pop sensation as an artist unafraid to delve into the messy, beautiful complexities of life. The EP is a deeply personal exploration of love, loss, and the fragile yet hopeful pursuit of belonging. From the very first track, their signature rawness is evident – each song a delicate, introspective story wrapped in lush indie pop arrangements. The title speaks to the uncomfortable, often awkward moments in life, a metaphor for being in a space of transition or uncertainty, but also the potential for joy if surrounded by the right people. Dorey’s vulnerability shines as they tackle the pain of losing loved ones, navigating identity, and learning to trust love again.
What makes this EP so compelling is its ability to balance the heavy with the hopeful. Tracks like “Isn’t This Just So Us” and “Unlovable” are poignant reflections on personal growth and emotional resilience, while “What Comes With Heaven” offers an unexpected burst of optimism, capturing the feeling of taking control of your life and future. Sid’s roots in musical theatre are clear, with each song feeling like a performance, deeply expressive and crafted with precision. As a queer artist, their music provides a lens into complex experiences that many will find deeply resonant. This EP offers listeners to find strength in vulnerability and, above all, to stay, no matter how turbulent the ride may get. With “Middle Seat”, Sid Dorey has crafted a soundtrack for anyone who has ever felt lost but is ready to find their place in the world.
Middle Seat feels like both a confession and a celebration. What moment or emotion sparked the first song that made it onto the EP?
The first song that made it on the EP was ‘Isn’t This Just So Us,’ that song was inspired by running into an ex at a Taylor Swift concert, this was a moment of shock, because how did I see her in a stadium full of 50,000 people??
You described the middle seat as uncomfortable, but also joyful — if surrounded by the right people. Who were your right people during the making of this EP?
Every single person that has helped me make this EP… my collaborators, managers, producers. I am so lucky to have such a strong team of people who are genuine.
Sonically, Middle Seat feels more grounded and intentional than your debut. What sounds or instruments were important in shaping this era?
In this project, I wanted it to sound, just a little bit weirder. I love the sounds of vocal stacks, synths, keys, guitars. I really wanted to experiment with ways to give the tracks more depth.
Was there a song on this project that surprised you in the studio — maybe one that turned out completely differently than you imagined?
EVERY SINGLE SONG SURPRISED ME. The biggest difference though was the demo of unlovable vs. the final product. The demo was more pop similar to ‘the chainsmokers’ and the final product was more of a dramatic ballad.
You said you hope this EP encourages people to “keep their seatbelt on.” How do you stay buckled in during your own hard moments?
I try to find things that ground me, like comfort shows, or comfort snacks.
Your music lives at the intersection of queerness, grief, and spiritual questioning. How do you balance being vulnerable without feeling emotionally exposed?
I have a tendency to overshare with people in my real life, so for me it’s pretty natural to write exactly what I’m thinking, but honestly it can be scary to put something out that is so personal. I try not to be as exact in my music as I am in conversation, so that some songs can feel like they’re up for interpretation.
What’s one part of your identity you’re still learning to reclaim or embrace through music?
I’m still learning how to embrace the environment that I grew up in (Florida).
You’ve spoken openly about religious trauma. How does music help you process things that words alone might not be able to?
My relationship with religion is really tricky, because I grew up in a very commercialized version of religion, so writing songs about it helps me figure out how to process what that means for me. Most of songs I’ve heard is based on religion, comes from a more strict upbringing.
How do you navigate being both a highly emotional writer and a public-facing artist in a world that often misunderstands sensitivity?
I think sensitivity can be an asset in this world, and I mostly just try to remind myself that.
What role does silence or stillness play in your creative process? Do you need chaos or calm to write?
There’s not a lot of stillness or silence in my creative process, only chaos.
A lot of people are discovering your music through short-form content online. How do you stay rooted in the why when the industry often prioritizes the how many?
I honestly have found a lot of artists that I love through places like TikTok, and I’m just grateful that we are in a time period that artists have the power to share their stories on different platforms, instead of being at the mercy of record labels.
What does “success” look like to you now — and has that changed since Drama in Doses?
To me the idea of success is really scary, and it feels like I’m constantly chasing a ghost.
If someone told you that one of your songs kept them alive, what would you want them to know in return?
I guess I’d want them to know that I aspire to write music like that, because I have songs that hold that place for me, so thank you for allowing my song to hold that weight in your life.
Your lyrics often feel like journal entries. Do you ever write with a specific listener in mind, or is it more of a message to yourself first?
Sometimes I definitely write songs for my friends or fans, but they mostly are a message to myself.
If Middle Seat closes a chapter for you, what kind of story do you hope the next one tells?
I hope my next chapter gives more of an inside look to who I am and where I came from.
