“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

Bringing "Chasin' the Highs" to Life