Corner Club looks forward to more music, live performances

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Asian-American duo corner club — comprised of Savannah Du and Michael Zhang — has earned a reputation for their introspective, dreamy sound, often exploring love, growth, and self-discovery. Their hit songs include "Manhattanhenge," "ok time," and "dreamt home."

On their latest EP, "no refunds," they weave poignant storytelling, particularly on the focus track, "maplecrest drive," which delves into nostalgia and self-acceptance.

In an interview with Music Geek, corner club shared that their musical journey began in college as members of an a cappella group. Zhang recalled being stunned by Du's exceptional vocals when she performed a piece he arranged. After graduating, they both ended up in New York, where they started composing their own songs.

Asian-American duo Corner Club PHOTO COURTESY OF CORNER CLUB

The duo's name, "corner club," stems from a shared experience as introverts at a college party. They silently acknowledged each other from opposite corners of the room, a moment that later inspired their moniker.

Their sound spans pop to folk, with a willingness to explore various influences. For instance, the duo incorporates elements from their classical backgrounds and surroundings.

"Across all of our music, there is always an element of whimsy and heartfelt emotion behind our sound," they noted.

As self-producing artists, they take turns leading the writing, producing, and recording processes while collaborating on every aspect of their tracks. Du praised Zhang's precise ear and ability to turn vague descriptions into fully realized songs. In turn, Zhang commended Du's impeccable pitch and adaptability, qualities that set her apart from other musicians he has worked with.

Their musical influences include artists such as Eloise, Olivia Dean, Holly Humberstone, Dijon, Wasia Project and Jacob Collier. Zhang also cited The 1975 and Dijon, appreciating how these musicians evoke strong emotions and cross genres, shaping corner club's own style.

For the duo, music serves as a way to express their innermost thoughts and connect with listeners.

"Almost everyone has experienced heartbreak or nostalgia, and it's less lonely when you can put on some music and sit in those emotions, knowing that someone else has gone through the same thing."

Beyond resonating with their audience, they find joy and refuge in their craft.

Their latest EP, "no refunds," reflects on their experiences from the past year, touching on themes of growing up and moving forward with optimism.

Both members selected "maplecrest drive" as the track that resonated with them the most. Zhang shared that the song captures his fears of dreaming less as he matures, while Du revealed that it is named after the street where she grew up.

"There's a simultaneous softness and aggression to it that I go back and forth between. There's a tenderness to childhood and being released into the world."

Among the five songs on the EP, "I don't wanna die just yet" was completed in a single session.

"From the beginning, that song had the vibe of a long rant to a friend, and we kept that simplicity in the final recording."

Following the EP's release, corner club expressed both excitement and relief.

"There's a certain calmness in the fact that your music is no longer just yours anymore."

They never imagined reaching a thousand listeners, yet now, with over 200,000 monthly listeners, they humbly acknowledge their growth.

When asked about their dream collaborations, they found it difficult to choose. Du eventually mentioned Jacob Collier for his genre-bending work while maintaining artistic authenticity. Zhang named Mitski, admiring how she approaches her art and presents herself as an artist.

Beyond their EP, they released "Morning Bus" and assured fans that more music is on the way.

"Our motto has always been to keep going, and that's all we know for certain about the future. We've had some creative bursts while writing recently, so we're excited for all the new music coming in 2025!"

They also announced plans to play more live shows and connect with their fans in the near future.