For Emmyn Calleiro, aka Video games We Play, creating music has all the time been about authenticity, enjoyable and expressing precisely the place he’s at in his life. Video games We Play has been Calleiro’s focus for almost seven years since he dropped out of college on the age of 14 with nothing however a dream and a decided work ethic. Via relatable lyrics set to upbeat and danceable pop-punk music, he has actually turned his goals into actuality. Now with the discharge of his major-label debut EP, Get A Job, Video games We Play has turn into a hero throughout the scene. Calleiro is somebody you may’t assist however root for, because of his clear lyricism and skill to search out lightheartedness in the whole lot. “It’s not a Video games We Play track if it’s not significant and never a little bit humorous and self-deprecating,” Calleiro says from the highway whereas on his almost sold-out headlining tour.
At this time, Video games We Play is sharing a brand new music video for the EP’s title observe, “Get A Job,” which reveals Calleiro performing his first-ever LA present inside an undisclosed Denny’s diner — and the result’s really wonderful. The video, which references the now-viral “What The Fuck Is Up Denny’s” video, evokes the traditional vitality present in ‘90s and early 2000s punk movies with nonstop crowd browsing and mosh pits whereas encapsulating the infectious optimism of Video games We Play’s creative universe.
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Out of the various successes he has skilled over the previous couple of months, signing to the influential document labels Fueled By Ramen and DCD2, in addition to scoring a co-sign from good friend and collaborator Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy), are a number of the most enjoyable new developments in his profession. Wentz, who’s additionally the top of DCD2, exceeds what it means to be a supporter by crowdsurfing within the video for “Get A Job,” in a bittersweet second that was not solely surreal to Calleiro but additionally for Wentz. “Every little thing about that is insane. I can’t even think about telling myself at any level I might be crowdsurfing to a punk band inside a Denny’s in 2022. However right here we’re,” Wentz shares. “Every little thing about this efficiency jogs my memory of Fall Out Boy’s video for ‘Lifeless on Arrival’ — the chaos, the best way it captures the ‘needed to be there’ feeling.”
With a headlining tour below his belt, an upcoming help slot for pop-punk mainstays State Champs this November and a extremely anticipated album on the best way, it’s clear that Video games We Play is headed for the celebs.
How did you provide you with the inventive idea for the “Get A Job” music video?
The inventive course of was actually humorous as a result of it’s actually only a present at Denny’s. I personally have all the time idolized movies which can be DIY reveals the place everybody goes loopy in a spot that should not maintain that many individuals. There are H2O, New Discovered Glory and Fall Out Boy movies — simply previous punk-rock movies [that were definitely an influence].
Does it really feel surreal to know that this track is now autobiographical, the place you don’t need to observe the established order and get a job however can as a substitute dwell your dream?
It’s wonderful but additionally a little bit scary as a result of individuals will come as much as me at reveals and say they give up their job due to that track. [Laughs.] That is actually what I’ve needed my whole life. I’m so blessed and have been doing this for seven years, and now it’s lastly occurring. I dropped out of college after I was 14 and have been grinding on Video games We Play ever since. It was lots of getting made enjoyable of by my household and native bands who thought I used to be lame. It’s so loopy to assume that the track is out now, the video is out and it’s all freaking true. I’m a little bit selfishly proud that it labored out like that.
How did you hyperlink up with Fueled By Ramen and DCD2 in addition to working so intently with Pete Wentz? To not point out, it have to be fairly loopy to see Pete crowdsurfing to your track within the video.
With Pete, it’s fascinating. In January, I posted a video of my track “I Hope You’re Completely happy,” and it began to do rather well. My good friend Anthony [Raneri] from Bayside instructed me he needed me to speak to one among his pals within the business for recommendation. After I confirmed up, Pete Wentz was simply there — I used to be not instructed who it was going to be. As I used to be strolling as much as meet with him, I despatched a voicemail to my spouse that mentioned, “Holy shit, Pete Wentz is right here.” To be trustworthy, I had no concept this might occur — he simply confirmed up and has by no means left since. Pete is among the finest pals I’ve made in music, and I speak to him virtually each single day now. Pete’s simply all the way down to get silly with me on any concept I provide you with. He’s there to hold and help me, and it’s actually simply the most important blessing.
With the Get A Job EP, what did you need it to characterize lyrically?
Lyrically, the document expresses precisely the place I’m in my life. I wrote it a year-and-a-half in the past, and for that document, I simply needed it to be enjoyable. On the time, I used to be dwelling in an condominium with my pals, and it was actually loopy and exhausting, but it surely was additionally actually enjoyable. We’d play video video games each night time, keep up tremendous late, inform tales and make enjoyable of one another. In the event you take heed to all the phrases on the document, it appears like a dialog [between] two pals going forwards and backwards attempting to make one another snigger.
You’re in your first-ever headlining tour and can quickly be gearing up for a run with State Champs. What are you trying ahead to essentially the most about these reveals, and what are you attempting to drag off this time round?
Headlining reveals are undoubtedly simply extra penis jokes, for positive. [Laughs.] I’ve a brand new track that I’ve simply begun taking part in dwell for the primary time, and it’s additionally one among my first unhappy songs. Folks have been crying, and it was actually a little bit bizarre for me — but it surely was additionally a extremely particular second. For the headline reveals, it’s simply gonna be new music, lots of penis jokes and fucking round with my pals. Having the ability to sing my music to individuals and have them sing it again to me and know the phrases — I acknowledge it and am so grateful for it. With the State Champs tour, I simply actually like these guys, and I’m actually excited to fulfill new individuals. State Champs followers wish to crowdsurf and push one another round, and I like when that occurs.
What’s subsequent for Video games We Play? Can we count on a debut album quickly?
After I get off this tour, I’m going to be recording my first full-length document, and the writing course of has been exhausting as a result of I need it to be good. I’ve written 20 songs already, and just one has made the reduce to this point. Proper now, I simply wish to write the very best songs that I can that specific who I’m.
