Unless you have been living under a construction dumpster, you have heard of the social media platform TikTok. TikTok has been the new place to discover all kinds of crazy shit, and it’s a blessing and a curse for people like me with ADHD and OCD. Continuous scrolling will present you with videos of everything from dog videos that are so cute that you’ll want to punch yourself to people doing choreographed dances to iPhone ringtones. It’s fucking nuts.
Like with any platform, what you see is built on algorithms. For example, I fucking love UFO conspiracy theories, pranksters, and, of course, music. Somewhere among all of the videos of drummers, drummers, and discordant vocalists doing their best “America’s Got Talent” performances, I stumbled upon a live stream of a band called Proper Pet.
With over 10,000 followers on TikTok, Proper Pet can often be found streaming live on the platform from their rehearsal room. They deliver a complete, inspired, and moving live performance as if they are performing on a festival stage. It’s cool to see a band put so much into a performance for thousands of people worldwide from the comfort of their home. They interact with the viewers, crack jokes, and, most of all, they deliver some amazing music. This drew me in and made me a fan and want to see and hear more.
Proper Pet is a pretty new act, and not much is known about them (unless you’re friends with these cats, of course.) I know that they are based out of Tempe, Arizona, the lead vocalist’s name is Abigail, and she is accompanied by some guy playing some sick surf-style guitar who looks like he just got off a lifeguard shift at the beach. I know it sounds like I’m making fun of them, but I’m not. I actually love it. It adds to the mystique and keeps me guessing and wondering.
Another thing that I do know is that Proper Pet has released some of my favorite music of 2022. Instead of just being tied down to one genre, Proper Pet has accumulated a good variety of influences and mashed them up into what I can only call “The Proper Pet Sound.” Just from what I have heard myself, Proper Pet has represented ’90s alt-pop (Until We Die, “Burned Out”), Americana (“Peaches In July,” “Silly Mountain”), and lush, melodic electronic synth-pop (“Already Dead,” and “CYU.)
Proper Pet has even had a “crowd favorite” already with the song “Lose Control,” which had nearly 1,000 views on YouTube on its first day of release. Lyrically, the song seems to capture the voyeuristic vibe of being an act on a live social media platform. “I’m dancing naked in my room. Don’t care if someone sees me. Connect with strangers on the screen. Makes me feel something.” This song’s vibe is infectious, and it’s one of those songs that I can’t get enough of. Hell, all of the songs from Proper Pet are like this.
Proper Pet is exciting. They are the perfect late-night, post-party, can’t go to sleep at 1 am soundtrack. That, and they’re so much fun. Their music is pure escapism for me. Proper Pet is like that old, corny wedding saying: “Something old, something new, something borrowed….” I’m not sure if there is anything blue about Proper Pet, but I think this saying ties it all together.
Proper Pet is an act to keep your eyes on definitely. They are just getting started, and I already see nothing but net for these kids. I see huge things for them. They haven’t done a tour yet, but they have been performing live around their home base. Fear not, though; their songs are available on Spotify as individual singles or in one concise playlist made by yours truly. Are you ready for Proper Pet? Settle down, settle in, and let Proper Pet take you somewhere. You’re welcome.
Proper Pet on TikTok: @properpetabigail
Proper Pet on Facebook: www.facebook.com/properpetmusic
Proper Pet on Spotify:
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