Christina Grimmie
Six months after the promising young singer Christina Grimmie was fatally shot during an autograph session following a show in Orlando, Florida, Before You Exit—the pop band that the former “The Voice” contestant was on tour with at the time—paid tribute to the late artist with a heartfelt musical composition.
Titled “Clouds,” the gentle and emotive piano-driven ballad about seeking assurance from Christina that she is alright wherever she may be right now, was written 10 days after the tragic incident, related Before You Exit member Connor McDonough.
But it was not until recently, however, that Connor and his bandmate brothers, Riley and Toby, finally completed the song, because the creative process, Connor said, was an “emotional” one.
“It took some time for us to get everything together because it was a very difficult song to work on. We wanted to come up with something we were at peace with… We tried to make sure we got to express all the things we wanted to say,” he told the Inquirer in a recent phone interview.
Having toured extensively with Christina in the past—in Europe in 2015 and in the United States early this year—the lads of Before You Exit have grown close to the former, whom they treated like their own “sister.”
“She was, by far, one of the most amazing people any of us have ever known—and somebody who will inspire us forever,” Connor said. “We will always remember her, whether it is for her voice, kindness, humility or the way she treated other people.”
While “Clouds” is already available for listening on YouTube and other music-streaming services, local fans can also look forward to hearing it live, when Before You Exit returns and holds its fourth show in Manila on Feb. 24, 2017, at the Kia Theatre. Mounted by MMI Live, the concert is part of the band’s Asian tour (call 9115555).
“Each of our past visits to the Philippines was amazing, and it gets better and better. Seeing our Filipino fans was always the highlight of our trips,” said Connor, who has visited Tagaytay in the past.
Before You Exit
Unlike their last outing in Manila, where they shared the stage with two other young pop-rock groups, The Vamps and The Tide, Before You Exit’s next show will be all their own. “That means we will have a longer set,” he pointed out. “We have been practicing a lot to make sure everyone has a great time.”
Connor, the eldest of the three brothers who plays lead guitar, said he was particularly thrilled about playing the tracks from the band’s fourth EP, “All the Lights,” which was released in April this year. The record, which contains six tunes, is led by the catchy pop-rock bop, “Model.”
For Connor, 23, the group’s latest offering was the most personal yet. “When we were just starting out, there were a lot of people saying that we should do this or that. This time, we were more in control,” he said, adding that every song in the EP was “written differently and took shape over the course of a year.”
In crafting “All the Lights,” Connor related that they drew inspiration from listening to a wide range of musical genres. “We have always listened to classic rock, but now we also listen to jazz,” he said. “We cull ideas from different categories, and you’ll notice that in our new songs, in the guitars and vocals.”
Looking back at their past material and comparing them to what they have now, Connor said he felt that they have matured “in different ways.” “As musicians, you always hope to progress and evolve in terms of sound,” he pointed out. “And we’re always working on achieving the sound we want to have.”
In that aspect, it is an advantage to be working with his brothers, he said, because they share similar tastes in music and the same “creative intuition.”
Connor typically handles the production; Riley, 21, the lyrics; and Toby, 18, a bit of both. “That way, no one steps on each other’s toes,” he said. “We get a lot done because the process works for us.”
Just how serious are they about their craft? The holidays will be spent with their family… and writings songs. Can the fans finally expect a full album, after releasing four EPs? “That is definitely in our plans, but nothing definite right now. We will see!” Connor said.