Toronto-based newcomer nodisco. makes his debut with the anxiety-driven, pop-infused single “Thoughts From Your Car,” mixed by Chris Zane (Passion Pit, St. Lucia) and mastered by Joe LaPorta (Shawn Mendes, David Bowie). The track, which at first listen is an amicable dose of pop perfection, quite literally stemmed from a life defining moment of panic at the studio.
Chris Toufexis, aka nodisco., was demoing songs with producer and artist Mike Brandolino of VALLEY, when suddenly nothing felt right. He explains…
“This song is lyrically, precisely the moment that I decided what to do with my life. I wrote it during a panic attack that my dear friend Mike Brandolino talked me through. It was during a day that I had a ton of older songs that I wanted to run past him, but none of them felt right. In that moment, I felt like giving up, since I had no prospective opportunities in the music world, no band members, no connections.
The demo was lo-fi, akin to older New Order or Joy Division. There were no vocals. Mike loved it, so we ran with it. I didn’t have lyrics, so the verses became a jangle pop anxiety freestyle. The second half of the second verse, though quickly, explores my re-occurring problems with health anxiety (“if you just believe me, you’ll see I’ve got sick in me”). It was important that the lyrics were honest and direct as possible. At the time, Morrissey was a big influence for me. I just love how on the nose he is with lyricism, I felt like I knew him personally. Much like Morrissey, I tend to write songs like a journal entry, so I thought that balancing direct lyrical honesty with pop-structure would be cool.
All and all, it’s a song about feeling lost, about not knowing what you’re doing with your life; but that’s fine. You’ll find your way. I did.”
The roller coaster experience ultimately led to the creation of a track that is both catchy and upbeat, yet simultaneously personal and oozes internal conflict. For nodisco., that most genuinely represents his contemplative, anxiety-prone mindset. It also removes the negative stigma of anxiety, instead giving it a touch of pop charisma.
The debut single is hardly nodisco.’s first interaction with the music industry though. Behind the scenes, he’s been well connected and creating music with fellow Toronto-based artists like the members of VALLEY, and MILANO (Anthony Russo). To his credit, he’d also been chosen by legendary R&B producer/songwriter Babyface to join an exclusive songwriting camp in Toronto at the end of 2018.
“Thoughts From Your Car” is a powerful and ambitious debut for nodisco., one that is sure to catch the ears of pop lovers and industry heads from all over. With more announcements and songs soon to come from nodisco., stay connected by following him on social media at nodisco_mp3 and nodiscomp3 on Facebook.