Miami Based Artist GARZI Releases His New EP "STUCK IN THE MIDDLE"
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Rising Miami talent GARZI unveils the next phase of his “alternative 808s” manifesto with the release of his “STUCK IN THE MIDDLE” EP, out now via Big Noise Music Group. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE blends GARZI’s alt-rock influences with trap and hip hop vibes creating a uniquely brooding, energetic fusion. An approach he calls “throwing up my emotions on a track”. A punk spirit tears through the EP with GARZI firing through the five tracks in eleven minutes; vocals and lyrics starkly exposed up-front with instrumental sections kept to a minimum. No doubt the punk attitude gets an injection from the addition of scene veterans John Feldmann (who co-produced/co-wrote the entire record), and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker (who performs on the single “SICK OF ME” and takes co-writing/co-producing credits on three of the albums five tracks).
Opening track “WAKE UP” has the EP blazing from the get-go, with it’s rumbling low-end, flickering hi-hats and GARZI’s voice searching for a way out of a nightmare. “HOPELESS” follows and delves into even darker territory, building its frustrations to a shard cut off that opens up space for lead-off single “SICK OF ME”. Lyrically, “SICK OF ME” wrenches out a story of a relationship in crisis. A relationship between two people, as much as his relationship with himself. The track is juiced up with the drumming chops of Travis Barker who takes the energy up to the next level on a track that showcases GARZI at his most anthemic. By the time the EP reaches the closer, “SUMMER”, we find GARZI in a more reflective mood, moving forward and realizing how far he’s come. “I was mad then, but I think I get it now, I’m not the only one that this world revolves around” he calls out as the track builds to its conclusion.
The collaborative effort of “STUCK IN THE MIDDLE” came after GARZI caught the ear of Goldfinger frontman/multi-platinum producer/Big Noise founder Feldmann and the two found that they were “kindred sonic spirits”. Feldmann soon insisted that Barker come by their recording sessions. GARZI explains “It was crazy to have Travis drumming on the song because Blink 182 has been one of my inspirations since childhood… “We figured out a really dope sound. I have faith that the music is really sick.” He continues, “I’ve never been more excited about a project than I am about this EP, it’s been a blessing to work with such talented people like Feldy and Travis. The project’s name, "STUCK IN THE MIDDLE", is a reflection of where I feel like I'm at in life and the project talks about some heavy-hitting topics I've found myself in throughout the last year.”
“STUCK IN THE MIDDLE” marks an important next phase for GARZI who first came to attention as Yung Garzi amongst the South Florida rap boom of the late 2010s. This early success culminated with the Nick Mira and Taz Tayor-produced track “Demonstrate”, which notched eight million streams on the Soundcloud platform. The record would have eerily prescient lyrics for the artist who would soon be picking up label attention, while also planning his shift away from the rap scene. “Life's a movie so just stop and stare/Take a pic, yeah, I'll be gone by next year… big things calling, had to leave you right there...”
Discussing the new moves made on this record, GARZI says “this tape is in an entirely different world than my last one, but that's what makes creating music fun. I hope people can stop trying to classify music and just enjoy it and use these songs to get them through any tough situation they may be going through.”
While “STUCK IN THE MIDDLE” is a developmental step for GARZI as a creative force, it is also in some ways a step backward. To his roots. As a teenager, GARZI often felt isolated and “a little lost”. He found solace in rock, punk, and metal, falling in love with the Warped tour and the scene royalty that descended on the Sunshine State every summer. Band such as Memphis May Fire, Front Porch Step, and Of Mice & Men were formative influences and, while there’s no missing their sonic footprint on his debut EP nothing to something, it’s under the guidance of John Feldmann that GARZI is now able to fully realize his ambitions on “STUCK IN THE MIDDLE” and firmly put his own stamp on the scene.
For the kid who felt like an outsider who never quite fit in at high school, perhaps that’s because he’s always been an original from the outset.
Listen to “STUCK IN THE MIDDLE” right now, stream it on your preferred music service, and connect with GARZI on his social media.