Today, pop-punk act Real Friends have returned with a brand new powerful single, “Waiting Room.”
The song is simultaneously familiar and forward-thinking and serves as the next step for the band, with distinctive emotional lyrics paired with the authenticity and vulnerability fans have come to love.
The song’s intimate subject matter centers around the passing of Real Friends bassist and lyricist Kyle Fasel’s father. “The lyrics, without a doubt, are the most personal and vulnerable I’ve ever written. It’s about my dad dying in a hospital bed in front of my eyes and the aftermath that still casts a shadow over me today.” he says. Fasel continues, “it is by far the most important song Real Friends has ever written.”
Watch the music video for “Waiting Room” below.
With vocalist Cody Muraro solidifying the Real Friends lineup since 2021, “Waiting Room” further showcases Muraro’s range and chemistry within the band. The upcoming album, set for release this fall will be their first full length since 2018, following the release of 2022’s There’s Nothing Worse Than Too Late EP. Rounded out by guitarists David Knox and Eric Haines, with drummer Brian Blake, fourteen years in and Real Friend’s new music is anticipated to be their strongest yet.
The new single’s music video rounds out the creative vision of the song under the direction of Errick Easterday and Michael Herrick. The live energy in the performance shots of the band are enhanced by the visual aesthetic, particularly seen in the coloring and other elements. The video itself plays on the true themes of the song, using both literal and metaphorical references to encapsulate the emotional weight behind the meaning.
Fans can catch Real Friends performing at the touring Sad Summer Fest all summer, along with a handful of headlining clubs shows.
Tour dates:
July 5 – Omaha, NE – The Slowdown
July 7 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
July 8 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
July 11 – Sacramento, CA – The Backyard*
July 12 – Fresno, CA – Full Circle Brewing
July 13 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory Festival Grounds*
July 14 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pop Punk Summer Camp Festival
July 16 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom*
July 19 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave*
July 20 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed*
July 21 – Pontiac, MI – Crofoot Festival Grounds*
July 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE*
July 24 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!*
July 26 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy*
July 27 – Clearwater, FL – The BayCare Sound*
July 29 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion*
August 1- New York, NY – Pier 17*
August 3 – Worcester, MA – Palladium*
August 4 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony*
August 6 – Buffalo, NY – Terminal B at The Outer Harbor*
August 9 – Columbia, MD – The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park*
September 7 – Cincinnati, OH – Ohio Is For Lovers
*= Sad Summer Festival
