Party Nails Embraces Collaboration on New Single ‘First Responder’
Party Nails’ newest single, “First Responder,” showcases Elana Carroll at her most collaborative and creative. Originally conceived as a country song, Carroll found herself stuck at a creative crossroads and decided to bring in co-producer Ben Greenspan, who had previously worked on her second album, You Don’t Have To Go Home But You Can’t Stay Here. Greenspan immediately envisioned a “Princey, Linn drum” vibe for the track, which took Carroll by surprise.
His vision became the backbone of the song’s groove, and it didn’t stop there. The bass line, another crucial element of the track, came from Jordan Brooks, a collaborator suggested by Greenspan. Carroll then layered on vocal harmonies, synth parts, and a guitar solo (featuring Vixen on harmony), before taking on the mixing duties herself to craft the final sound.
Lyrically, “First Responder” is as witty as it is candid. Carroll hints at the frustration of constantly playing the role of a problem-solver for someone who seems to always have a crisis, ultimately standing up for her own well-being and injecting humor into the songwriting process.
Fans in Southern California can catch Party Nails performing “First Responder” live, along with her other recent release “Same Old Song,” during her upcoming shows with Letters to Cleo on November 15 at Ventura Music Hall and November 16 at The Venice West, with more dates to be announced soon.
Before transforming into Party Nails, Carroll was already a budding musician in her hometown of Chatham, New York. As a guitar-playing tween, she spent her time performing at open mics and experimenting with music technology through Garageband, a passion that has only grown. Since her 2015 debut on Neon Gold’s blog with “Break,” Carroll has built a reputation for her dynamic live performances and her eclectic blend of influences, which recall the energy of Madonna, Hayley Williams, and Sheryl Crow.
Her resume also includes writing “Rockin’ on the Rag” for the animated series Central Park in 2020, producing the Le Tigre-esque “Supernatural” for Deap Vally, and collaborating vocally with a range of artists like LŪN, Urban Heat, and Battle Tapes. Her music has appeared in films and TV shows like Glass, Girls, and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, and she’s been featured in outlets like Billboard and Noisey.
Looking ahead, Party Nails’ highly anticipated third album, Pillow Talk, is set for release in January 2025 through Eye Knee Records, a label led by Holly Miranda, Amb. Parsley, and the talented Elissa Young. With her Top Coat studio in Los Angeles, Carroll continues to produce, record, and mix not only her own music but also that of other artists, keeping her love for music technology at the forefront of her artistry.
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