As fans await the release of Allison Ponthier’s (Pon-tee-ay) debut EP, ‘Faking My Own Death’ on August 6, fans continue to catch a glimpse of her delicate and timeless sound.
Her new single, “Hell is a Crowded Room,” written with Rick Nowels (Lana Del Rey, Stevie Nicks) and produced by Dean Reid and Brandon Shoop, addresses the perpetual struggle with social anxiety. Through echoed guitar, ethereal vocals, and a unique concoction of indie-folk, alt-rock, and country, the singer-songwriter opens up about her own fears.
“‘Hell Is A Crowded Room’ is a song about pushing through social anxiety, especially when it manifests in a really physical way,” explains Allison Ponthier. “I always wondered why a shy person like me would choose to be an artist when it’s constantly putting yourself in front of people, and I think HIACR is a response to that. It took on a much more intense meaning post-pandemic, but I also think that it’s an applicable song for anyone that gets nervous in groups and is doing their best to be brave enough to get through it.”
The song is paired with a haunting carnival themed video.
Fans can catch Ponthier’s empathetic music at select dates on Lord Huron’s Long Lost Tour this Fall.
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Amelia Cordischi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Juice Box Press, is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in media and communications. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including The Boston Globe. A communications graduate of Simmons University in Boston, Amelia served as manager of Simmons College Radio (“The Shark”), where she also launched and co-hosted her radio show, The Find.
In addition to her editorial work, Amelia is an established freelance photographer, with bylines in Blended Magazine and CelebMix, capturing artists and cultural moments across the music and media landscape. Her career began at WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, the ABC affiliate in Boston, where she gained firsthand experience in broadcast journalism and storytelling.
When she’s not taking photos from the photo pit, interviewing emerging artists, or crafting the next Juice Box Press feature, Amelia can be found thrifting and exploring the world of sustainable fashion.