Demi Ramos busts out an early contender for song of the summer with her infectious indie-rock banger Just A Phase — premiering exclusively on Tinnitist.
With the swirling verve of vintage Blondie, the precisely three-minute track has a delicious vibey groove with hints of recent breakthroughs by Wet Leg, Snail Mail and Spill Tab — while also exhibiting a subconscious reverence for ’90s rockers like Interpol and Purple-era Stone Temple Pilots, along with early aughts trailblazers like Tegan & Sara and Metric.
“The tune was made in an hour during a spontaneous jam in L.A. and the sounds were inspired by the 2000s,” recalls the pop-rock artist, actor, model, podcast host and all-around shero. “I remember listening to a lot of Blink-182, Weezer, Bloc Party and Yeah Yeah Yeahs during that trip.”
The track also features Garzi, a rising alternative / emo star who has collaborated with Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens, Travis Barker, Point North and Fever 333, while touring with SWS, Don Broco and Zero 9:36. Their voices blend seamlessly like a warm ocean breeze washing over the Andes:
“I have never felt this before
California’s taking a toll
Summer days are making me bored
It’s just a phase.”
A Puerto Rican New York City native, Ramos started her first rock band at 11, before studying opera at one of the most prestigious performing arts high schools in the U.S. She’s since become a tour de force in N.Y.C.’s underground scene, going from sold-out DIY and basement shows to filling rooms at Berlin, Mercury Lounge, SOB’s, Webster Hall and Brooklyn Bazaar.
For the Just A Phase video, Demi joined forces with Emmy-winning actress (and former schoolmate) Victoria Konefal. Similar to the moment-in-time vibe of the song, the clip — Konefal’s directorial debut — is like an always-on watchful eye, recorded and shot on a small Kodak vlog camera showing a week-long flurry of fun, partying in and around the City of Angels. A treatise to the ephemeral nature of Hollywood, the engaging, hyper-cut footage includes a litany of L.A. hot spots including The Echo nightclub, Power House Bar, Shake Shack and Colette Miller’s Angel Wings mural.
In addition to fueling the indie music scene with the eternal sheen of hook-driven earworms like Dear Ramona, Killer 4U and Rock n Roll, Ramos is well-regarded for her personable, conversational interview style on the podcasts It’s Real With Jordan And Demi and The Demi Ramos Show, where she’s interviewed a long list of celebs and tastemakers including Stephen Sanchez, Gayle, Sueco, Joss Stone, Art Alexakis of Everclear, Guy Fieri, Surf Curse, Dylan Fraser, GG Magree and Royal & The Serpent. Presently signed with Elite Model Management, Ramos often hosts events during the Grammys, Super Bowl and New York Fashion Week.
Check out Just A Phase above, hear more from Demi Ramos below, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
