Bringing "Chasin' the Highs" to Life

“Why do other people need control, and why do we let them have it?”

This song has always been deeply important to me. It’s a reflection of the emotional highs and devastating lows that come with toxic relationships or situations. It's about the cycle of being built up to be torn down, the confusion of staying when you know you need to leave, and the painful realization that love isn't meant to hurt this way. However, every single line in this song was meant to contain multiple meanings and the listener can interpret it based on their own experiences or ideas. Some may hear a story of heartache, others a feeling of being manipulated, controlled, or isolated, or maybe for some, it is about the difficulties of overcoming the throws of addiction, or you may take these lines at face value. It’s for you to decide.

When it came time to bring this song to life visually, I knew it had to be raw, symbolic, and emotional. That's why working with such a great team was so crucial. This video was directed by the mastermind Bobby Duque, with whom I collaborated to bring our vision to life. We desired the aesthetic to express the inner turmoil, the pull between pain and desire, and between desire and liberation.

The choreography, done by Abigail Arambula and Maile Cochran, was yet another dynamic addition to the story. Dance is a physical expression of emotion, and to watch Abigail bring the power of this song to movement was nothing short of breathtaking. Her performance brought intensity to the push and pull of a relationship that has you chasing after something that never truly existed.

For the production of this song, I knew I needed someone who could truly bring its depth to life, so I reached out to none other than the wizard himself, Cody Canyon, to produce and help compose it. Without hesitation, he brought in the incredibly talented Michael Spadoni to lay down the piano, and just like that, the three of us had the secret sauce: the perfect blend of emotion, storytelling, and sound. Writing and recording “Chasin' the Highs” was not just about making music, it was an experience of learning how to get to know and understand my own feelings and behaviors. I've spent so long asking myself so many questions:

• Why do we keep hanging on?

• Why do we accept getting mistreated?

• Why do people build us up only to destroy us?

• Why do they isolate us from the people who care?

• Why do other people need control, and why do we let them have it?

I still don't know all of these answers, but I do know this: we are not alone. If you've ever been trapped in that cycle, if you've ever wondered why you loved someone who hurt you, if you've ever wondered if you'll ever feel that same “high” again…you’re not alone. It's natural to want to remain. It's confusing. And it's okay to finally leave.

This song and this video are for the ones who are still trying to make sense of it all. The ones who know what it feels like to lose themselves in the name of love or desire. And especially for the ones who are finding the strength to put up boundaries, even when it hurts.

I can't wait for you all to see this music video. I hope when you do see it that if you catch glimpses of your own life, in some way, it will heal you.

You can sign up for my mailing list and follow @PennyRiot on socials to get updates on the premiere of “Chasin' the Highs.”

With love,

Penny Riot

Hi, it’s Penny

Wait, why am I doing this?

I’m a musician, performer, songwriter, and frequent over-thinker. You ever get that feeling where your mind is going a million miles an hour with thoughts, but your mouth is like,"Nah, I'm good, I'm gonna sleep in today"? That's me. I've never been able to put my feelings into words, especially in heavy or very personal conversations. My brain freezes and next thing I know, I'm gazing blankly into space, short circuiting.

But music? Music changes that.

Through writing lyrics, poetry, or even a simple diary entry, I finally have the emotional chaos of my mind organized. Whatever I cannot express in a dialogue, I can sing. Whatever is a muddle of jumbled thoughts somehow becomes coherent when I put it into music. And believe me, that revelation struck me like a microphone to the front tooth.

Recording my music initially was something to do for the sake of it, something fun to try out. But the more I did it, the more I realized that music wasn't something I enjoyed; it was something I required. Music has been my own hype man when I've needed a confidence boost, my therapist when I've needed to process emotions, and my dance partner when I've just needed to shake off the stress. Music makes me feel heard, understood, and connected, and now, I want to do the same for others.

To know that my music is something that resonates with you, that it helps you to get through your own feelings or just that it puts a smile on your face, means everything to me. That moment, that quiet "hey, I get you" sensation, that's what makes everything so incredible. I write because it makes me better, but I share because I want it to do the same for you.

After first releasing my EP, I had a friend call me and she told me how my music brought her comfort. She was going through a hard time and my voice and my words were bringing her peace. This of course brought a tear to my eye and added to my fire.

So to all of those who have ever turned up a song to get a feeling, danced around their living room like no one is watching, or ugly-cried to a break up ballad, welcome to the club. Let's continue feeling, healing, and grooving through music and I promise to have so much more in store for you all.

With love,

Penny Riot