Smooth like melting candy in the sun.
Hey boyyyyyy… 👋
Here’s the beautiful song by Friends Of.
How can a breakup song sound so laid-back and cool?
Friends Of describes himself as a “disco cowboy” — and we love that. 🤠🪩 So we had to share this one.
“Not Quite Ready” is a song about knowing a love can’t last, but not quite being ready to let go. It was born out of feeling blindsided and heartbroken during Zeke’s last breakup, and was recorded with three of his best friends.
And somehow, he’s turned all that heartbreak into something you can actually dance to.
The first half has a psychedelic soul feel before the song opens up into a full festival dance-floor moment. Lush, layered vocals, strings and synths build something that feels both groovy and massive, with touches of Jungle, Collect 200, Say She She and Rio Kosta.
It’s the kind of song that makes you want to take an outdoor desert bath, lie back in the sun and let the sound wash over you.
Friends Of is the solo project of Zeke Reed, a Topanga Canyon musician who blends disco, house, indie and psych with his love of western wear and vintage Americana. He calls his sound “desert disco” — daytime dance music with a psychedelic twist.
"The project wouldn't be what it is without all the talented women I get to create and work with. I think being an ally is about lifting up other voices in addition to your own."
A classically-trained cellist, Zeke started making his own music while studying neuroscience and philosophy at the University of Virginia. He lives in a 1971 Airstream in Topanga and records in an old tool shed overlooking the canyon.
We love the idea that a broken heart doesn’t always need a sad song.
Sometimes you just need to put on your dancing shoes, get some sun and keep moving.
Friends Of is giving heartbreak a dance floor.
QUICK Q&A WITH ZEKE REED
How would you describe your style?
I describe my style as “desert disco,” daytime dance music with a psychedelic twist.
How can guys be more of an ally?
Friends Of is a very inclusive and collaborative project by its very nature, and around half of my collaborators are women. Musicians, photographers, filmmakers, managers, DJs.
The project wouldn’t be what it is without all the talented women I get to create and work with. I think being an ally is about lifting up other voices in addition to your own.
What’s your dream for the future with your music?
My dream future with music is to collaborate with my musical heroes and play curated, interesting shows around the world in beautiful locations.
I’m not as interested in just playing clubs or run-of-the-mill festivals. I want my music to be part of immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences for people.
I’m working on a tour of vintage stores across the American West for this next spring. And that’s just the beginning. I’m also growing my creative retreat studio space in the mountains of Topanga Canyon to host artists from all over the world.
Who’s your hero?
My musical hero is Damon Albarn of the Gorillaz. He can collaborate with anyone and make it his own. His music is accessible and dancey yet weird and eclectic. And he’s built an immersive world around his project. I would love to work with him.
My nonmusical heroes are the journalists standing up for human rights and against authoritarianism in America and around the world. Often unsung, they put their lives and livelihoods on the line. As a journalist myself, I have the utmost respect for people who bleed for this profession.
Any questions for HEY GIRL?
“I’m curious what you all think the future of music journalism and curation looks like in the era of algorithms and AI music?”
We don’t like algorithms deciding what should be seen, what should be heard and what shouldn’t. We miss the randomness of life — those unexpected connections, discoveries and moments you couldn’t have planned for. We think people need more of that.
Some AI is fun and interesting, and it can definitely help tidy up your words or hone a creative idea. But real talent, real people and real human connection will always be so much better.
But we have created our own AI — HEY GIRL Panda — who is a cute creative helper. 🐼 designed to encourage ideas, connect people and help creativity happen, rather than take over. HGx
Listen to “Not Quite Ready” by Friends Of now. 🪩
PS — don’t look straight at the sun or your candy eyes will melt. 🍬🌞