Medium Build has roots that are quite noteworthy. Their interesting stage name is backed by existing member Nick Carpenter, an Anchorage, Alaska native. Carpenter is a storyteller at heart, using inspiration from his upbringing to create music.
The singer dropped his debut album Falling Apart, in 2016. The album features songs about heartbreak, loss, grief, acceptance and sadness, and how these feelings severely affect one trying to move on.
Two years later, the release of softboy showcased Carpenter expanding his musical capabilities, growing from only seven songs in his repertoire to 15. Songs such as "Selfish" and "Somebody Else" proved that the singer struggles with self-confidence, selfishness and reaching out to others, making his sophomore debut much more earnest and vulnerable.
To many fans' surprise, Carpenter produced a sister album to accompany softboy called roughboy. With nine songs, this third album explored the nature of the singer's mental health, revealing that he has felt unworthy and hopeless, and sought out new alternatives to find relief.
A year later, Carpenter proved that he wasn't taking a break from music anytime soon, releasing his fourth album, Wild. With a short tracklist, the album saw a playful return in the singer's tone, reminiscing on past loves and wondering how he could win a new love interest over. Medium Build stuck to his roots, making music that paralleled his musical start three years prior.
With four albums under his belt, Carpenter continued to create over the next two years, even with the COVID-19 pandemic delaying many artists' releases and tours. Luckily, as the pandemic slowly continues to improve, Medium Build is ready to take 2022 by its reins.
Released on June 8, "comeonback" is Medium Build's latest single. According to the singer, the new track "is about friendship, forgiveness and checking our blind spots," Carpenter said. "I've been writing a bunch of love songs to friends and this one is the intersection of 'I f***ed up' and 'they f***ed up.' Like how do we proceed when we realize that neither of us are perfect? I used to wanna be perfect in every relationship. I'm learning how to be myself but not give up. Flawed but present."
The single even includes a music video starring and self-directed by Carpenter at Club Paris Restaurant in his hometown.
Carpenter said regarding the music video, "I wanted to make a video that highlighted a place I love in Anchorage. This song is about taking an old friend out for drinks to make up. I think safety comes with trust and time. People and places aren't static. So the bar in the video is a character. A living breathing flawed thing. Just like me and my friendships. Club Paris is one of the legendary places of Anchorage. Deserving of being honored, remembered and loved."
As 2022 rolls on, Medium Build is making new music and preparing for an upcoming tour this September as the opening act for Briston Maroney's "All Aboard Tour."
Medium Build is an artist who has gone through the many stages that adolescence throws at musicians. From heartbreak and loss, insecurity and self-reflection to depression, fear and new love, Nick Carpenter is a singer-songwriter who truly understands the human condition and all of its realities.
