Toronto four-piece PONY describe themselves as “the band that would play on a high school roof at the end of a ’90s teen movie,” delivering the same lighthearted, fun sound that could easily fit into film soundtracks of the era. Picture this: The final aerial shot in 10 Things I Hate About You, mixed with the spunk of Veruca Salt’s “Volcano Girls” à la Jawbreaker and BAM! the band’s new single “DIY” is born.

PONY just signed with the independent Toronto-based label Buzz Records, and while their catalogue only consists of a handful of songs, “DIY” is a promising showing of PONY’s potential. Distorted guitars meet a mellowed beach vibe at the track’s beginning, before gaining power-pop momentum when the vocals come floating in. Lead singer and guitarist Sam Bielanski delivers self-deprecating lyrics like, “nothing at all is all I really need” and the bright chorus “I do it to myself/ Just me and no one else.” According to Bielanski, the song acts as an open love letter to herself following a romantic blunder:

Once upon a time, I had a huge crush on a guy who did not crush back. I was feeling bummed, insecure and super crummy. Through this minor heartbreak I realized that the only thing you can really do when someone lets you down or makes you feel bad about yourself is to take matters into your own hands and practice the art of ‘self-love’. D.I.Y. till you D.I.E.

Check out the track below.

Tour Dates:
02/08 Kingston, ON @ The Mansion
02/09 Ottawa, ON @ House of Targ
02/10 Montreal, QC @ Turbohaus
02/12 Toronto,ON @Smiling Buddha w/ Nicole Dollanganger
04/22 Toronto, ON @ CMW w/ Weaves

The “DIY” lathe cut 7″ will be out 5/12 via Buzz Records. Pre-order it here.

CREDIT: Madeline Link