The Hope Inside Priced Out’s Rage
Punk Head: The EP is called 6 More Songs, which almost sounds deliberately understated considering how heavy the material is. Was that title meant to undercut the seriousness a bit?
Priced Out: I’m not sure to be honest, but probably yes in a way. Our first EP was called “4 Songs”, the next “4 More Songs”, now we are onto 6…it is pretty silly! I don’t think we are going directly for humour per se, but it’s also fine if that’s how it’s interpreted. It’s just literally 6 more songs, with no real adornment. I think we all like the simplicity in that. We write without a lot of pressure on ourselves. The message in the music is important to us, but the songs themselves aren’t precious.
Punk Head: The phrase “controlled anger” really jumps out. Was restraint important on this record?
Priced Out: A theme across a lot of our songs is this idea that anger can be constructive if we focus that energy and don’t let it consume us or divide us. The anger we feel is systemic and it is directed accordingly. A lot of modern media, online or otherwise, is designed to make us feel upset. Taking that anger and directing it at the forces trying to manipulate you into hating your neighbour can be an act of rebellion. Restraint and control are important, even more so if you have the privilege of exercising them.
Punk Head: The record deals heavily with institutional failure, but there’s very little sense of escapism in the descriptions. Do you see music itself as a form of relief, solidarity, documentation, or confrontation?
Priced Out: Music can be all of those things. For this EP, I think solidarity is probably closest. Every song explores people being shaped by circumstances outside their control. Ultimately we want the main message of our music to be that we need to show each other more love, compassion, and understanding, especially when we're all dealing with many of the same pressures.
Punk Head: The EP repeatedly asks who benefits from confusion, inequality, punishment, and isolation. Did making this record leave you feeling more hopeful, more cynical, or just more certain about what you wanted to say?
Priced Out: There is always a level of hope, otherwise what’s the point? Punk music I think is inherently hopeful, even in its most raw form. To express discontent is to imply a desire for something better. Writing these songs – – and recording them is a form of storytelling. There is catharsis in screaming frustrations into the world. There is a healthy dose of cynicism in there as well for sure, but at the end of the day the reason we make this music is to promote change for the better.
Punk Head: Punk historically thrives during moments of instability, but it can also become repetitive or slogan-driven. What did you want Priced Out to contribute to that lineage that felt emotionally or politically specific to this moment?
Priced Out: Punk has always responded to instability, but what feels specific about this moment is how many people are struggling with the same pressures while being encouraged to blame each other for them. If this EP contributes anything, I hope it's a reminder that a lot of what we're experiencing isn't individual failure. If you listen to these songs and walk away feeling a little less alone, then we've done our job.
