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.