
Passenger Side
26. 3. 14.
Water Street
Since the spring 2022 release of their debut LP All We Tried to Be, Blairstown, New Jersey
sextuplet Water Street have been hard at working honing the eminently engaging brand of
literary folk-tinged pop touring the Northeast. Theirs dues-paying is readily apparent on new
single “Pen Pals”. Melding sunny harmonies and a touch of alt-rock grit, the airy, up-tempo
track reveals a new compositional depth and knack for lyrical cleverness. The ultra-catchy
chorus combined with meticulously placed accent and flourish elevates the composition to
radio-ready perfection.
Water Street began as the creative outlet of vocalist/guitarist Dave Paulson.
Following the addition of drummer Connor Konecnik, bassist Joe Byrne, and guitarist Mike Stark
(Lead Guitar) they took the name Water Street as a nod to their roots; reflecting the close sense
of community bonding them to their town, each other, and their work. The band released their
full-length debut Waiting for Martin in 2016. The EP Dear You (2018) led to hundreds of
performances, including a spot of the main stage of Bethlehem, PA’s Musikfest.
In 2022, the band celebrated the addition of Julia Aiello (vocals) and TJ Viola (keys) with their
third release, the All We Tried To Be LP. Since the release of All We Tried to Be, the band has
been touring the northeast, forming strong ties with new band members who are bringing fresh
layers of melodic complexity and instrumentation to their sound.
Inspired by being in the feeling of limbo that comes with a not-yet-reciprocated crush, new
single “Pen Pals” was written during a songwriting at an old farmhouse, deep in the word. “It
was really isolated and quiet” explains Paulson. “The four of us sat out with our guitars on the
porch in the dark working on the song.” The track was recorded at the iconic Sound on Sound
Studios in Montclair, NJ. It was produced and mixed by Joe Webster.
