Meet 19&YOU: From Sydney to their Newest Single “Bored!”
Photo by Charles Letessier
Meet the alternative pop band 19&YOU: They’re the product of band member and producer Noah Taylor traveling to Sydney, Australia in pursuit of love, him crashing at a friends house and then meeting three students who were studying abroad — Cam Graves who does vocals and guitar, Jack Letich who plays guitar and Liam Wallis who plays the drums.
Within days 19&YOU was formed and in the following months, via virtual sessions, the group completed their first batch of songs in one week. When the pandemic happened, the band returned to America and moved to LA to begin their career.
Although they’re a group composed of all boys, if you ask them, they’re definitely not a boy band.
“We make pop music first and foremost but our music is live instrument focused and combines a lot of alt-rock elements.”
To them, 19&YOU represents an age in life full of transformative moments, where you’re not quite a full adult or a full teenager — a feeling captured within their newest single “BORED!” released on Jan. 15 which landed a spot on Spotify’s soda playlist which features artists Troye Sivan, Dayglow, LANY.
“BORED!” is an up-tempo anthem nestled in a renewed indie-pop soundscape. The kind of song you play with the windows down in your car and the sunset trailing behind you reminding you of LANY, The 1975 with hints of Troye Sivan.
“It was one of those songs that started from a space of vulnerability and turned into just us having fun,” Noah says. “To a certain extent the song is satire, it’s so over the top sassy, and none of us are that way in real life. But I think the hyperbole of it all is what makes it so engaging.”
Engaging they are.
Not only does the band create the music but they also do the visuals, where they manage to present themselves as approachable from clothing, media, and graphics.
And in November of 2020, 19&YOU released their debut single “RUNNIN’” which was also featured on Spotify’s soda playlist.
With their newest single, it’s exciting to see where it might lead them next. That being said, Unpublished caught up with 19&YOU to ask them about their journey and their plans!
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is the first memory you made as a band?
[19&YOU]: Our first memory as a band was Noah getting to our apartment, pulling out his music gear, and us writing our first single. That day, we ended up writing late into the night and 19&YOU unknowingly started.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Can you explain 19&YOU’s origin story? What inspired each of you to take part in it?
[19&YOU]: Our first memory plays a huge part in how we came to be since it was our first time writing together. Before that, we were just flatmates and friends. After we wrote our first single, we made it a goal to write an entire EP while Noah was in town, and we did. 19&YOU was started because we all loved and connected with the music we were making and we didn’t want that to end.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Who are a few of your sound influences?
[19&YOU]: We love The 1975, Boy in Space, Troye Sivan, Jeremy Zucker, Lauv. They are all amazing acts within their own space and we take inspiration from the production and melodies they create. [We] would definitely love to collaborate with them one day.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are some of 19&YOU’s favorite songs at the moment?
[19&YOU]: “Regardless” by RAYE, “Overkill” by Holly Humberstone, “On The Train Ride Home” by The Paper Kites, “I Know The End” by Phoebe Bridgers, and “Good Days” by SZA.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What does the writing/producing aspect look like for you?
Noah records and produces everything we do. We find that late-night sessions when the band is all together creates the best environment for writing. When we write, we write about the significant events in our lives that have affected us in some way, the ones that cause heavy emotions and inspire lyrics and melody.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is next for the group? Touring plans, songs, EP?
[19&YOU]: In these times, we’re not really banking on live music opening up. For now, we’re focusing on writing, growing our online presence, and honing our skills as live performers, so when venues do re-open we can put on an incredible show. We have an EP coming out early this year and we’re constantly working on new music, so fans can expect lots more in the near future.
[UNPUBLISHED] What are 10 facts about the group?
[19&YOU]:
Jack can solve a Rubik’s cube. We call him the cube master.
Cam enjoys surfing and spearfishing.
Noah grew up traveling full time across the states and internationally.
Liam cuts his own hair.
We watch the Bachelor every Tuesday night together.
We all love deep house and Rascal Flatts.
Noah is the band’s personal chef.
Cam can ride the unicycle.
Liam is trained in orchestral percussion.
Cam was a model when he was a baby.