The word ‘whirlwind’ would be an appropriate one to describe the past six years in the lives of D.C. alt-pop band SHAED .
The unexpected worldwide success of their 2018 hit, “Trampoline,” catapulted them onto festival stages, international tours, and national television appearances, including Good Morning America and practically every late night show. The release of their luminous 2021 album, High Dive , was soon followed by the arrival of a more personal production: Lead singer Chelsea Lee ’s and husband-bandmate- multi-instrumentalist Spencer Ernst ’s first child, June , was born in January of 2022. Five months later, the new parents, along with Spencer’s twin brother, Max Ernst, were opening for Coldplay at FedEx Field.
All of these major life changes are brought to the forefront in their latest album, Spinning Out (released June 7 via BMG). It’s a contemplative outing from a band reflecting on everything that’s happened to them in the past six years, both good and bad. Inevitably, these changes would also alter how they approached songwriting for the album.
“The inspiration for the album definitely changed,” Spencer tells City Paper . “Having a child ..
. you feel this new love that you didn’t know existed. June, for the first year and some change, was around 24/7.
She would be sitting in the room with us while we’re writing music.” “Having her around, I think the themes got a little bit more serious,” says Max. “The more that we were st.