Under Exposed Artist Spotlight: Career Day
By Cameron Conrad, Your Elder Emo Mom
“If you don’t like something, change it.” – Maya Angelou
Cliché as it is, this overplayed and tragically underapplied one-liner is the essence of the punk rock philosophy. For the members of emerging east coast emo band, Career Day, it’s a way of life. Born of frustration with the underrepresentation of both minority groups and prominent social issues in the genre, the band is rapidly gaining momentum in the scene and making meaningful impact everywhere they go.
Core duo Desmond and Jacob first connected in 2019 over Facebook; they made quick work of defining their signature sound and churning out their first EP right before the whole world shut down. Rather than falling apart during the pandemic, the guys took advantage of the down time to refine their songwriting and release their debut album, Where We’ve Always Been (2022). Their sound is mature and consistent, blending nostalgic emo vibes with just enough edge to stand out in the sea of guitar-wielding sad bois. Jacob’s strong, energetic riffs serve as the perfect foundation for Desmond’s clean, classic vocals and thoughtful, compelling lyrics. Career Day’s strongly held values are evident throughout their growing discography and in the way they show up for the community. They commonly promote local charities and socially responsible organizations when touring, encouraging fans to direct their energy beyond the screen to take action and do actual good in the world.
Today, Career Day is heads-down working on their next release while they solidify their ultimate lineup. Fans are encouraged to keep a close eye on socials so as to not miss any of the exciting announcements coming soon. Keep reading to learn more about the guys of Career Day in their own words.
Listen to Career Day on your favorite music streaming service ( their latest release, I’ll Always be This, is a great place to start!)
Rapid Fire Q&A
1. If you had to credit one band or artist with being your biggest influence, who would it be?
Desmond: blink-182. The “What’s My Age Again” music video changed my life. TOYPAJ (TAKE OFF YOUR PANTS AND JACKET) Imprinted on me to the point where I got frosted tips as a 12 year old. And the untitled record brought me to greater curiosity about music as a whole.
Jacob: Transit
2. What’s your dream venue, the place that will feel like you’ve “made it” once you play there?
Desmond: on the middle-level of dreaming, I cannot wait until we are able to play the west coast. So much of the SoCal punk scene and culture was a gateway for me to getting into this music, and getting to play shows and have singalongs there would feel so affirming. Ultimately, the big goal for me would be getting to play in the Philippines. Getting to see my family there because our music took us there would make my heart feel so full, and getting to play to young people I feel so culturally connected to, ones who have been having to live under a repressive government and in a country that has been generationally exploited globally, would make me feel like I’ve done something beyond personal catharsis, ego, and exhibitionism here.
Jacob: NYC - The Warsaw, Boston - The Sinclair, Philly - First Unitarian
3. If you could pick any band or artist, past or present, to tour with, who would it be?
Desmond: The Starting Line. Their legacy and sound has aged perhaps better than any of their peers, and I think it is a reflection of them as people and their approach to their art. Getting to see them play every night of a tour, getting to pick their brain on the whole process of being a touring artist, would be something I would hold close forever. I am the type of person who goes through wild mood swings when I get hyper-fixated on a vision or ambition, and there is a zen to The Starting Line and Kenny Vasoli, from the outside looking in, that I feel like I could stand to grow learning from.
Jacob: Present Koyo, Past Transit
4. If each of you was a Disney character, who would you be?
Desmond: Eeyore. Because the depression.
Jacob: Do muppets count? If so I’d say Scooter
5. Any new music or upcoming tours we should know about? Anything brewing behind the scenes you can give a hint about?
Desmond: we will be demoing new music in the next month or so. We’ve been working on new ideas through the year, and have been utilizing the half dozen or so new songs as the prime indicator in our auditioning process for new members. We’re trying to sneak in a few shows in December to showcase the new songs and new faces, so stay tuned to our socials.
Follow CareerDayNY on TikTok/Insta for everything you need to know.
