Trapdoor Social

Los Angeles-based powerhouse duo, Trapdoor Social, made their official debut with a six song EP, Death Of A Friend, released in late 2012. The songs were produced by Curt Schneider, with Death Cab For Cutie drummer Jason McGerr playing on the tracks. The result of Death Of A Friend is a lush, moody indie alt-pop experience where lyrics, melody and beat work intimately together to create a compelling and seductive combination. The songs on this album speak of love, emotion, introspection. The lead single "Like You Never" was voted #1 on KROQ's Locals Only show in February 2013.

Trapdoor Social band members are Merritt Graves and Skylar Funk. They met at the Environmental Analysis program at Pomona College in Southern California. By day they studied the challenges for planet Earth, and by night they found refuge in their music.

"I'm extremely anxious about things going wrong in our environment, and that becomes a source to draw from.", says Merritt. "I take energy from a certain place and shift it from inside of me and transfer it into another medium - a song."

"We want to eventually write an anthem for the environmental or renewal energy movement." proclaims Skylar. "I had an epiphany when I saw the Harry Belafonte documentary 'Sing Your Song' while at the Sundance Film Fest last year. Harry was a star, but then also got into civil rights movement, using his clout to swing a big sword at those issues, dedicating the rest of this life to affect change. You can be a rock star and change the world - this is what I want to do. We have to become rock stars in order to get this message out, in order to get the work done that we want to get done."

In the meantime, Trapdoor Social walk their talk, with continued involvement with green companies Farmscape and Agrisaurus, which Merritt helped create, and the development of an awareness campaign around solar and other renewable energy.

"Life is about finding situations into which you can add love." says Merritt. "I want to help get the message out that everyone should just do what they can!"

Trapdoor Social will be sharing their message and music at SXSW in Austin.

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