Photo courtesy of Naz Massaro

When Elana Carroll set out to create her long-awaited third album, Pillow Talk, she knew she wanted to tackle heavy topics while keeping the tradition of a Party Nails album that represents empowerment and love.

An intoxicating mix of retro synthwave, futuristic electro-pop and lush indie rock engross the listener in 10 tracks. Described as a honey-colored party mood, Pillow Talk bends genre while expanding on the Party Nails sound that listeners are familiar with.

“I wanted it to feel really intense and visceral but also very accessible,” Carroll said. “I didn’t want it to be only a chill listen or [a] completely dark and brooding vibe. I knew my songwriting and voice would be a thread, so I just tried to allow what I was inspired to make to exist. I didn’t realize it as I was making it but the album is a lot about reconnecting with your childhood self, toxic relationships and boundaries, and identifying when you are in your own way or need to make a change.”

Her first album, Past Lives and Paychecks, and her second album, You Don’t Have To Go Home But You Can’t Stay Here, played an instrumental role in her latest album as the first two taught her a valuable lesson on songwriting.

“Let the songs guide you,” she said. “Honor what the songs are asking for.”

She didn’t specify a song on Pillow Talk but said that every one has its moment of great challenge and great reward. During the process, it is equal parts excitement over hearing the finished product and worry over the thought that a finished product may never happen. When it finally comes to fruition - usually quicker than expected - there is that longing to start at the beginning and watch the magic happen all over again.

DISCO is a music platform that allows artists to upload and manage their work throughout the recording process that Carroll found crucial when creating the final track list for Pillow Talk. It helps artists, as well as other creatives in the music industry, to revolutionize their music workflow.

“It’s super easy to change around the track listing as I’m trying to figure it out,” Carroll said. “I put them in an order I feel okay about, and then listen from the top until something feels out of place. Then I make an adjustment. Then I listen from the top again. I do this until I find the correct order.”

Pillow Talk is an album that is meant to throw the idea of genre out the window and replace it with feeling. Feeling less alone could be the main takeaway, but feeling anything at all will do. Party Nails has spent nearly a decade turning feelings to music and giving listeners a space to connect: with each other, with one’s self and with her.

For me, Chris Munro, the decision to properly dedicate myself to creating music wasn’t sparked by a single, transformative moment. Instead, it was the slow burn of countless smaller experiences, gradually connecting my passion to a sense of purpose. Music has always been present in my life; a consistent hobby that accompanied most of my childhood. However, as I moved through my high school years, it started to take on a deeper meaning.

Playing in a variety of bands and spending many hours exploring different instruments and techniques ultimately led me to the understanding that music wasn’t just another activity; it was an integral part of who I was and a vital way for me to express myself. That passion found a new direction when I began to collaborate with my fellow bandmate, Ben Nunes.

We first properly met at a high school Battle of the Bands, where his band and mine were competing directly. There was mutual respect in the competition, but what followed was much more important. As Ben recalls, “Chris and I found that we had a ton of the same influences and passions when it came to music. Being the only two members of our respective bands interested in writing original music, we decided to form our own band.” That band became A Weekend at Ramona’s.

Ben’s journey began when he picked up the guitar at 12 years old, inspired by bands like Green Day and Nirvana. As he put it, “I wanted to form a band to play some of my favourite songs.” That drive to learn and create mirrored my own, and together, we began channeling our collective influences - from the raw energy of an early Arctic Monkeys to the hometown magic of Born Ruffians - into our original music. We didn’t just want to write songs. We wanted to create something authentic, something that reflected our experiences and resonated with the world around us. Writing the tracks for our debut Chest Pains EP was the first time we felt like we were doing that. It wasn’t just about the music, it was about capturing our journey and sharing those moments with every song.

Those early days were transformative for both of us, laying the foundation for what A Weekend at Ramona’s would become. Ben brought his distinctive tone to our songwriting, contributing what he describes as “a raw lyrical style” that gave depth and emotional resonance to tracks like “Abigail” and “Why Won’t You Be Mine”. His ability to channel honest, unfiltered emotion into his lyrics helped shape the identity of our music, giving it a relatable and grounded quality. My initial focus was similar, though I would say I started from a place of shaping melodies and experimenting with instrumentation to elevate the lyrics, while effectively showing off the band. Together, we found a creative synergy, pushing each other to explore new ideas and refine our craft. It wasn’t just about what each of us could do individually, it was about how our unique strengths could intertwine to create something far greater than the sum of its parts. Those early collaborative efforts were not just pivotal, they were defining moments that solidified our partnership and set the tone for the music we would continue to make.

Overall, the moment I knew I wanted to make music wasn’t a single epiphany but rather a series of defining experiences that unfolded over time. It was discovering my love for performing and connecting with an audience through sound. It was meeting Ben and realizing I’d found a collaborator who shared my passion and vision, someone who could challenge and inspire me in equal measure. It was the magic of writing our first songs together, capturing fragments of our thoughts and emotions while turning them into something tangible, something that resonated beyond just ourselves. Together, music has become a place where we belong; a space to grow, connect and continually redefine what it means to be artists.

Growing up in a musical family, you’d think I’d have a leg up when it came to picking up an instrument, especially the drums. But the truth is, as a kid, I struggled with sticking to any skill for long. My dad, sister and aunt all played piano, and while I was surrounded by music, I couldn’t care less. In fact, listening to my sister practice scales used to drive me nuts. No one pushed me to play anything - not even drums. Instead, I was drawn to the excitement of what the older kids were doing: BMX bikes and racing. Riding with them built up my leg strength, and before long, I was winning races and even scored a sponsorship from a local bike shop.

After my parents divorced, though, things changed. We moved frequently, and racing drifted away. I was a carefree, aimless kid, far more interested in hanging out with friends than in hitting the books. I became the class clown, often ending up in the principal's office or feigning a stomach ache to lounge in the nurse’s office.

Drumming wasn’t on my radar until I heard a neighbor kid taking lessons. I remember walking into his garage one day, hearing him play along to a song, and something clicked. I wanted to learn that beat. We had an old drum set stored at my grandmother's house, and when I asked my dad if I could have it, he let me bring it home. I learned that one beat, and I played it over and over - it was all I knew.

Then, one night, my life changed in an instant. While camping in our backyard, I was caught in a fire. I woke up in a burn unit, fighting for my life and enduring months of intense, unimaginable pain. During that time, I escaped into daydreams, losing myself in visions of drumming. My dad promised that when I recovered, he’d get me a drum set.

Finally, the day came. I was back home, sitting behind a new set of drums, playing that same beat that had sparked so much joy before. I started taking lessons and slowly progressed as a drummer. Not long after high school, I made the choice to study jazz in college, a decision that opened my eyes to just how hard I’d need to work to become the musician I wanted to be. I threw myself into practice, determined to push beyond my limits and become the drummer I imagined.

Today, at 55, I’m still pushing, practicing and striving to reach that next level of skill - the one I hear in my mind. Somewhere along the way, I realized what drives me isn’t reaching an end goal; it’s the challenge itself. The road can be grueling, and there are days I feel like throwing in the towel. But I remind myself that perfection isn’t the goal, and satisfaction may never come, and that’s perfectly fine.

What matters now is the journey, staying creative and embracing the process. I’ve come to see that life isn’t shaped by circumstances but by my attitude toward them. Happiness built on external validation is fragile, and true fulfillment comes from within. It’s my internal landscape that shapes what I bring to the world and how I perceive it.

Looking back, this musical journey feels like a gift - an ongoing adventure that keeps pushing me to grow in ways I never expected.

Graphic created by Lucas Seidel Design

Gather 'round the open fire for Chimneyside Chats - a monthly feature with holiday stories from our favorite artists. See what's in their stockings this year as they reminisce on Christmas memories, share their favorite recipe and more! Here's what singer/songwriter Lily Lane had to say:

Graphic created by Lucas Seidel Design

I have always loved getting into the holiday spirit - from curating my Christmas playlist to doing live shows featuring some of my favourite holiday classics.

Getting into the holiday spirit with some festive tunes and my favourite Santa hat

Graphic created by Lucas Seidel Design

Gather 'round the open fire for Chimneyside Chats - a monthly feature with holiday stories from our favorite artists. See what's in their stockings this year as they reminisce on Christmas memories, share their favorite recipe and more! Here's what producer, writer and singer SJae had to say:

Mince pies are an absolute must for Brits during the holiday season! Mince (not to be confused with mincemeat!) is the sweet, sticky, fruit filling that we add to these cute little pies. You can make it from scratch, but who has time for that! The store bought mince by Robinsons is great. You can also add a bit of brandy if you like!

Graphic created by Lucas Seidel Design

We decided to do our own version of a holiday classic, and "Last Christmas" is definitely the one that stood out to us amongst the Christmas staples.

However, we didn’t just want to make a copy-paste cover. We wanted to make a true Pistols at Dawn version. Between Jon’s intimate vocal performance and Will's signature guitar playing, we were able to create a song that would make George Michael proud. Paired with a candlelit intimate music video we were definitely able to give it our essence and make it our own.

With the beautiful string arrangement, this will be a welcome addition to all gatherings around the fireplace surrounded by family, friends and loved ones for all the years to come.

We hope everyone enjoys our version of “Last Christmas”!

Graphic created by Lucas Seidel Design

Growing up in Pembroke Pines, Fla., my Christmas mornings were never about hoping for presents under the tree, but more about hoping it wasn’t too hot outside so I could wear my Christmas pajamas and slippers while sipping on hot chocolate - with extra mini marshmallows of course! While South Florida doesn’t offer snow, the holiday season here brings its own kind of magic. Our warm weather means we can’t get snowed in, but it also means we get to experience some of the most incredible community events, especially during the holidays.

What made these events even more special for me growing up was that they weren’t just about celebrating the season; they were also some of my first opportunities to perform. I can still remember getting up on those stages in front of a crowd made up of families and neighbors, while performing my favorite holiday songs and passing out candy canes, sharing the holiday magic through music. These were the performances where I first learned to connect with an audience, where I found my voice and where my passion for performing truly began. It was in these moments that I realized how much I loved bringing joy to others through music.

These holiday events still hold a special place in my heart, and they’re some of the performances I still look forward to most every year. Even with the big mound of ice from the local rink serving as "snow", the magic of Christmas isn’t lost. It’s not about the perfect winter wonderland but about the joy of being together with loved ones, sharing laughter and music and creating memories that last a lifetime. Every year, I remember how these events helped shape me into the artist I am today, and how they continue to inspire me to spread the holiday cheer wherever I go.

It's been so fun to perform at community events over the last decade!

Graphic created by Lucas Seidel Design