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NYC Emo Band Blair Finds Joy in DIY Community
7 Oct
Summary
- Blair's music channels '90s emo and indie rock with a NYC perspective.
- The band formed before the pandemic and connects punk/rap scenes.
- Lyrics blend self-love appeals with the realities of being young and Black.
Brooklyn-based band Blair embodies the spirit of '90s emo through their DIY rock sound, capturing the joy of community creation. Their latest three-track EP, 'Tears to Grow,' reinterprets '90s Midwest emo and Northwest indie rock through the lens of young New Yorkers.
The band, which began forming shortly before the pandemic, has roots in both the city's underground punk and rap scenes. Drummer Anysia Kym Batts is known for collaborations with rapper MIKE, and singer-guitarist Genesis Evans previously founded the streetwear brand Humble.
'Tears to Grow' evokes early Jawbreaker and Alex G, but Blair's lyrics offer unique emotional depth. They explore themes of overcoming self-loathing and embracing self-love, while also acknowledging the harsh realities and injustices of being young and Black in America. One track features devastating lines about the risks of life, such as "Take a step back/Could have been me/Who died last week."
