I started listening to The Maine when I was in seventh or eighth grade.
Back then, they just released Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. I fell in love with these adorable boys from Arizona in v-necks, black vests, and Nikes. Clinging onto their every word and saying, I religiously watched all of their Buzznet interviews, Youtube video updates, and scoured the internet for news about them.
As time passed, we both grew. I ventured into this thing called high school, and the Maine released This Is Real Life EP, later Black & White, and then In Darkness & In Light. All of which showed a steady progression from their days in sugary pop-punk to a more polished, mature sound.
And as these new songs from Pioneer are coming out, I can’t believe how much they’ve changed as people and as musicians.
It’s probably stupid of me to say this, but it’s almost as if we’ve grown and changed for the better, together. We’ve both sort of found where we belong, who we are, and what we aim to be.
The Maine has always been there for me and will always continue to do so. I’m still waiting for that day where I can meet them all in person and tell them how much they’ve helped me through and they will always mean the world to me.
Until then, I guess I’ll be here waiting patiently for Pioneer to come out of the depths of hell.