Rock/Interview When In May - A Love Song

Your new best friends, your new favorite band. When In May

"A Love Song" feels deeply personal — was there a specific moment or memory that triggered the writing of it, or was it a slow emotional buildup?

Yes, I had lost someone i thought I was going to spend my whole life with. When writing it things weren’t great but I was trying so hard. After the breakup occurred then the rest came easy.

There’s a heartbreaking contradiction in wanting someone to be happy without you. How did you navigate putting that kind of emotional conflict into lyrics without holding back?

I let myself just hurt and cry while making this track. I forced myself to speak a lot truth even if it meant killing a part of me.

You chose church organs to open the track — a powerful metaphor. How did that idea come about, and what did you want listeners to feel when they first heard it?

I imagined her at her wedding day but as a viewer or a guest. Not as the groom.
I wanted listeners to instantly feel all of my regret.

The band’s bio says, “Your very best friends at their very worst” — how does that concept tie into the emotional storytelling in “A Love Song”?

The band is like your highschool buddies who never got it together or right. But when you get together you all just mess around and make mistake once more. Hints being at their very worst. And those mistakes lead to someone having to write “A Love Song”.

Was there ever a moment you considered not releasing this track because of how personal it is? What made you decide to share it anyway?

Yes, several times while making the track I had hoped to get a call, text, email, carrier pigeon or something. But I just stopped holding my breathe.

How has writing and performing “A Love Song” affected the way you view that relationship now? Has it changed anything for you emotionally?

Unfortunately I haven’t chosen to dive into anything. I’m too young and immature to drown someone else in my own ego. It’s not self reflection if you’re the common denominator in everything that goes sour.

How do the rest of the band members contribute when one song is clearly someone’s personal heartbreak? Is it collaborative, or do you give each other space?

They contribute with tons of tequila and sober driving. But on a serious note. As musicians we tend to feel the art. We tend to lean into things that are more earnest rather than artificial. So they became empaths and helped me great this track.

The title "A Love Song" is beautifully ironic. Was that intentional — to contrast a traditional love song with one that's about loss, jealousy, and bittersweet acceptance?

As humans we’ve tried to reinvent the wheel while still using it. I find beauty in things anyone can say. We don’t say the title in the song it’s more of an unspoken thing. Going with the church theme I’m forever holding my peace. But you can be in love without being with them.

What do you hope people feel or understand about themselves when they hear this song?

Hold someone close, hold them close. You’re never promised tomorrow. If you’re able to make amends do so.

Can we expect more songs in this raw, confessional style from When In May, or was this a one-time emotional release?

When In May is my personal therapy session. So most definitely.