We’re looking forward to introducing you to The Upside. Check out our conversation below.
The Upside, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Our most recent single release is a song called Obsession, and for us it had a very successful first few weeks. All 4 of us are proud of that song even just as a song. It’s very dynamic, and there are moments for each of us to stand out a little bit in the arrangement. For it to receive the praise that it did in the form of its online performance, personal interactions, and fan reaction was very gratifying. We are proud of the aesthetic that was crafted for it’s release and accompanying content. We are proud of the quality of everything connected to it. We are hopeful to continue making good choices like the ones we made with Obsession.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are an independent Pop Rock band from Baltimore, MD that makes upbeat, fun music exploring both the upsides and the downsides of life.
We are completely independent – that means we do everything ourselves. Recording, production, branding, marketing, videography, and everything else is done by the four of us: Andrew, Amelia, Patrick, and David. Most of our merch is handmade by us, and we have a custom light show at every concert also handmade and coded by us. This band, and music in general, is our passion, and we talk often about how grateful we are that we get to do this. At the same time, we have a strong drive to keep working, keep pushing, and keep growing as much as we possibly can, so we can hopefully connect with more people that feel seen by our songs. We aim to build a community of people that feel connected by music, that love and support each other, and that always look on the upside while still acknowledging the very real struggles we all face throughout our lives.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The enemy of understanding is assumption. As our society becomes increasingly more online, we are losing the basic human connections that would otherwise foster empathy within us. And without empathy, we become polarized. Every piece of content represents only the extremes of human opinion. Everything entrenches us further in our own beliefs and sows hatred for those who disagree. When we encounter others in person – everyone is a stranger, and everyone is an “other.” Endless assumptions are made: Anyone who doesn’t agree with us is against us. Everything that’s different is the enemy. Mistakes equate with malice, and ignorance is unforgivable. Once these assumptions are made, the possibility for understanding, empathy, compassion, and visible humanity is lost. As is the true identity of that person within our own minds.
The enemy of understanding is assumption. And the cure is connection. Real human connection – through music, art, adventure, and simplicity – is the cure. As a musician, I firmly believe that music is meant to be experienced in a communal setting. If you’ve ever been to a concert for one of your favorite bands, you know how electric it feels. It’s like you and everyone in the crowd are part of something bigger, even if just for a moment. For me, concerts make me feel so very human in the absolute best way. Music may not make you feel the same way, and that’s okay. But there is likely something in your life that brings you together with others, and makes you feel united and alive. Whatever that is, prioritize it, and prioritize the people you feel connected with. Speaking from experience, it is hard to break out of our society’s emphasis on instant gratification and isolated loneliness, but the best I can do is try. And it is well worth it. – Amelia
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that I’m proud of the effort he put into pursuing his hobbies. If not for my younger self, I would not be as good at playing bass as I am now or as passionate about science. My younger self jump-started all of the things I like doing the most today and put in the effort to allow present-day me to enjoy what I work on as well as work on what I enjoy.
-David
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is a tricky question. I would say everyone has different versions of themselves, from a professional image to the person you are in isolation. These different versions of oneself are no more or less real than any other version. I think each ‘version’ of myself has its time and place.
With all of that being said, I do feel the most natural when I am on stage performing. I think I really come alive when out in public as a member of The Upside. Whether or not that is the “real me” is yet to be determined…
-Andrew
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I have done a lot of this!
In short, yes. In long, my creative endeavors always get my best effort because I do the work for me. I love when other people connect with something I’ve helped to create of course, but ultimately the reason I put my passions into the world is because I want them there, not because other people are asking for them. I want other people to like what we’ve created, but if something doesn’t land, that is not going to slow me down. In fact, my band mates will mock me for how often I actually deflect any amount of praise. Especially when it comes to The Upside. I don’t want to be celebrated as an individual more than I want the band to be recognized for being something really cool, and doing something worth seeing, because it is both of those things. And because I believe for my own sake that it is both of those things, I will keep giving it my best.
-Patrick
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theupsidemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsidemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Upside/61558190374927/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theupsidemusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/48EpLnC2atTDAxjuvyRaaD?si=mFGXsPsfRh6xpRviBxbMzA&nd=1&dlsi=36eb4ff2db4c4b95
Image Credits
Josh Henry
Jacob Raiber
Rose Cooperman
