Even before it seemed like the entire world started communicating exclusively through Zoom in 2020, the members of Couch were collaborating remotely via video chat, writing and recording the songs that would make up their first EPs and eventually fuel headlining tours and opening slots for Lake Street Dive, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Cory Wong and more. 

Now, the Boston-bred, seven-piece, pop-soul outfit are unleashing their full-length debut record, Big Talk, which began in a similar remote fashion but truly came to life when the collective was finally able to spend time together in the studio. 

“We were definitely excited to be there, and that plays into the energy of the music,” says guitarist Zach Blankstein, explaining that his band’s history of recording individual parts separately carried over from their video chat days— though being present in the studio gave it an extra punch, similar to the energetic live shows that have garnered Couch fans around the world. “Being together allowed us to simulate that energy. Even if Danny [Silverston] is the only one recording on piano, three of us are in the control room and two of us are standing next to him. What used to be a lonely, by-yourself recording process is now all your buddies in there rooting you on and hyping you up.”

Big Talk’s lead single, “What Were You Thinking,” is a punchy, funky reclamation of agency that finds lead singer Tema Siegel calling out a former relationship partner for taking advantage of her youthful infatuation. (One impactful line goes, “What were you thinking?/ Handling a heart of 20 years like that?”)

“Thematically, this project has a lot of content about being assertive and grounded and coming into your own,” Siegel reflects. “And this song embodied those themes, so it felt like a strong representation of what’s to come.

“When you’re putting out EPs, there’s only so much you can say and capture, and I’m particularly excited to share this deeper, more expressive project with people,” she continues. “Historically, we’ve put out very optimistic, bubbly, danceable music and that high energy is still so important to us and will forever exist in our sound, but I like to think we’re diversifying our subject matter and bringing in stories that are more angry and moody—capturing a wider variety of feelings in the human experience. It’ll still feel like Couch, but I hope that it’ll also feel elevated and engaging in a new way.”