CARPENTER MOURNS HIS FUTURE, RECONNECTS WITH HIS PAST ON “CUZ OF U”

Humans are an amalgamation of everything they see, everyone they meet and everywhere they go throughout their lives. Advice for anything can be found from a parent, neighbor or the internet, because, as people on the internet say, “you’ve never had an original experience”. Nick Carpenter’s new single “Cuz of U” embraces that idea.

Under the artist name Medium Build, Carpenter releases songs that are a mix of classic country, ‘80s new wave and emo. You may be asking yourself how those genres go together. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that every last word is plucked from his heart and shoots an arrow straight into his listeners’ hearts. 

By Joey Wasilewski

Modern production over timeless lyrics gives Medium Build songs their personality. Drum kits, like the muted pad that starts “Cuz of U”, are essential along with at least one prominent live instrument, in this case, piano, to make sure that you can cry or dance around the kitchen to any and all of his songs. 

“Cuz of U” marks the realization Carpenter, their friends and their fans have come to as of late: Anchorage, Alaska, the place that has made them who they are, won’t be able to hold them forever. This year alone they have opened shows across the United States for Briston Maroney, Lewis Capaldi and FINNEAS, and is now embarking on their own US, EU and UK tour. Never not one for a deeper meaning, Carpenter made sure their upcoming tour stopped in places “in most vital need of queer community and spiritual uplift”.

By Joey Wasilewski

Medium Build as a project serves to show that “home” is a concept, but a community is tangible. Your hometown is not necessarily the town you make your home in — no matter where  Nick Carpenter’s home is they will have supporters. People will be listening. People need to be listening -- he is humbly one of the most important queer voices in music right now, oh, and a Princess Bride fanatic.