The Next Wave ft. Deb Never, Good Tweets, and Roman Architecture

Your dose of music discovery from Pigeons and Planes has landed. Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Next Wave. This week, we're featuring Deb Never's new EP and some of the week's best tweets. We're also answering your burning questions about new artists, soulmates, and Ancient Roman columns. [Subscribe to the Newsletter]( Dear Pigeons is our advice column. We put out asks on social media for questions from the readers, and we'll do our best to give advice, guidance, ramblings, and recommendations based on our own experiences. Dear Pigeons, What is one characteristic that all of your favorite new artists share? - @yenny_yohanski_ via Instagram This is a tough one. There are so many qualities that can make an artist great, and what works for one act might be a disaster for others. For every rule you set, there is going to be an exception, and sometimes it's the rule-breakers who end up being the most exciting. But there is one thing I think all great artists have to be: genuine. Whether that comes across in the music itself, in interviews, or on social media, there has to be an element of authenticity for the songs to connect in a meaningful way. Fans have to believe you, and even more importantly, they have to feel that you believe yourself. You have to be committed. It's impossible to say who's authentic and who's not—what comes across as genuine to one fan might seem completely corny and bogus to another. But in general, young music fans who grew up on the internet have a heightened ability to sniff out fakes. This isn't meant to be some "be yourself" speech. There will always be successful artists who exaggerate their stories and their personalities, and some who commit entirely to an act. That's fine. It's not about judging artists and deciding who's the realest, it's about hearing something and being able to feel it and believe it in the moment. That's what I want from music. Oh, and good songs. Gotta have good songs. If you don't have those, nobody cares how genuine you are. - [Jacob Moore]( Founder/GM of Pigeons and Planes Dear Pigeons, Do you believe in soulmates? (not only romantically) - @tallulabitch via Instagram Someone once told me, "True love is the soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another." It's cheesy, but I like it. Actually I saw that on a bumper sticker. Anyway, I believe in soulmates but I don't think we are only limited to one or that it has to be romantic. I consider friends, family, my dog, and even people I have never met, soulmates. Anyone that you really connect with and who sparks joy is a soulmate. Last night I stayed up all night watching Norm Macdonald interviews and laughed until it hurt. I never met him of course, but in those moments when you're watching an artist you admire, there can be a real connection deep in the soul. And it hurts my soul just as deeply and profoundly now that he is no longer with us. Rest in peace, Norm, you've left a void in comedy that nothing (even a hat that's bigger than a normal hat) will ever fill. - [John Walaszek]( Associate Director of Content Strategy, Pigeons & Planes Dear Pigeons, What's your favorite ancient Roman column? - @mo.hammed.allam via Instagram This is a great question, one which my three (3) months of art history schooling prepared me well for. Of the five main orders used in Ancient Rome (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite), my favorite is probably the Corinthian. Although it originated in Greece, the Romans adapted it for their own architectural purposes. Corinthians are more slender and decorative than the other four orders, and are known for their intricate capitals (the top part of the column). The most well-known use of Corinthian columns in Rome is probably the Pantheon. - [Maddy Quach]( Community Manager at Pigeons and Planes Even as she emerged in 2018/2019 with a lo-fi sound, Deb Never's undeniable songwriting shone through. With each release, and across collaborations with the likes of Brockhampton and Kenny Beats, Deb has been expanding her sound while staying true to herself. Where Have All The Flowers Gone? her new EP, feels like the fullest expression of her vision to date. Produced by Deb herself, along with Jam City, Michael Percy, and Jim-E Stack, the songs are tied together by Deb's honest lyrics and a thoughtful mix of electronic production and live instruments. (See: the grandiose orchestral ending of "Stupid" and the richly textured "Funky.") The EP is out now along with a short film, another marker in the rise and rise of Deb Never. [Listen to Where Have All The Flowers Gone?]( In case you missed it, here are a handful of our favorite tweets from this week, including Maxo Kream, Baby Keem, and Lil Nas X. 1. Maxo Kream on texting Tyler, The Creator 2. Lil Nas X on the Met Gala 3. Baby Keem on "range brothers" [Complex on Instagram]( [Complex on Facebook]( [Complex on Twitter]( [Complex on YouTube]( © Complex Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 229 W. 43rd Street, 10th Floor New York, NY 10036 You are receiving this email because you've signed up for the Next Wave Newsletter. Want to stop receiving messages from Pigeons & Planes ? [Unsubscribe]( [Click here to view this email in your browser.]( Pigeons & Planes is part of: [Complex Networks](