PUBLIC

When someone introduces themselves as a ‘band from Ohio,’ what do you think of? Probably not a small rock band from Cincinnati, formally known as PUBLIC. However, PUBLIC is here to encourage you to change your mind about that. Band members John Vaughan, Matt Alvarado and Ben Lapps formed PUBLIC while still in high school. This began the journey to where they are now, signed to Island Records with viral TikTok hit, “Make You Mine.” With a tight-knit, dedicated fan group from the very beginning, PUBLIC’s music brings a new level of authenticity to their indie-pop infused rock songs.

The road where they are now, was not an easy overnight success story, however. Especially with how accessible music is today, reaching people through all the other noise can be a process. PUBLIC, however, is in it for the long haul. Being a band from Ohio has also been a fundamental part of the formation of PUBLIC. While some might resent being so far removed from the major music hubs like Nashville or LA, PUBLIC mentions that once they started to view being from Cincinnati as a positive instead of a negative, that’s when things began to shift for them. Lead singer John shares: “I think I kind of resented that for a while when we were younger because I was like, ‘Oh there’s nothing here, we don’t have an industry hub here in Cincinnati.’ But now, I’m actually really glad that we started in Ohio. There just wasn’t as much going on there, so we were forced to become unique and it didn’t feel like an area that was too oversaturated to be a band, which I think can happen with places like Nashville or LA. That’s what is nice about Ohio, it gave us room to build who we are.”

Alvarado, the bassist, also adds: “Yeah, without knowing what other areas are like, being from Ohio a lot of the bands stick together in the same scene, with some of the most die-hard fans I’ve ever seen. We were also super fortunate to come up at the same time as WALK THE MOON and twenty one pilots to kind of pave the way for a rock band to come into existence.”

PUBLIC has more to attribute their success to than just die-hard Ohio fans, however. From the small streets of Cincinnati to touring the country both as an opener and headliner, PUBLIC always puts on a live show worth remembering. It serves as a simple reminder that music is often about the process, not just the end result. Vaughan cites one of his favorite shows was the Chicago House of Blues while on tour with Jesse McCartney. “I remember that show felt really, really cool. The audience was awesome, the venue was beautiful, and my family was there. There was stuff on either side of the stage to climb, that was the tour where that became my thing, I tried to end our set on top of something. That one scared me because I had to actually climb it and I could touch the balcony up there, and it’s just kinda stuck in my mind since. I loved that show.”

Lapps, the drummer, says, “I really liked the first time we went to the Fillmore in San Francisco because it’s a historic venue and looking at all the posters on the wall of legends who have been there and the venue is still there today.” Vaughan adds to that: “There are so many venues we see with examples of what band sold this out or what person sold this out and it just gives us a lot more drive to be one of those people that get to out up our name on the wall at the end of the day.”

In the process of cementing their sound, and coming to be as a band in Ohio was beginning to create music that was unique and pulling from various genres of their background. From influences like Muse to Maroon 5 to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band’s genrebending hits are irresistibly upbeat and catchy. Alvarado says that one of their songs, “‘On my Mind’ is a cool track that showcases the funky disco aspect of us, but is also still kind of pop-y. It’s not necessarily one our fans gravitate towards the most, but I don’t know, I like that track a lot.”

After “Make You Mine” became a viral TikTok sensation, the song began to do numbers, and PUBLIC found themselves with a whole new audience. PUBLIC speaks about how crazy it all is to them, and how the song came to be. Vaughan says, “At the time, it was just my first serious relationship, so that’s where the lyrical content came from, and that’s kinda what inspired it. It’s just about learning how it feels to be vulnerable with somebody for the first time and learning what it means to be in a relationship. And also just how when you are getting vulnerable with somebody and you’re like, ‘I like you, you like me,’ it’s very exciting and sometimes just that bliss, in general, is enough. It’s very much about young love.”

With 52 million Spotify streams, and 14 million views on the music video for “Make You Mine,” clearly people are ready to listen to what PUBLIC has to say. With a sequel video to “Make You Mine” with the same cast and crew now released, PUBLIC is ready to move onto to bigger and better things in 2020, from new music, and maybe even more touring.

After signing to Island Records after “Make You Mine’s” success, we see PUBLIC’s big plans begin to fall into place. With their tour with American Authors and Magic Giant ending, PUBLIC talks about the road ahead of them and how excited they are for what is next. Alvarado says, “It’s crazy because ‘Make You Mine’ has given us this new audience so it’s gonna be really interesting and exciting to show them something that’s not ‘Make You Mine’.” From booking writing sessions in New York City to looking into more touring in 2020, PUBLIC is ready for everyone to hear what they are working on in the same way “Make You Mine” was received. Clearly, PUBLIC has no intention of being a one-hit-wonder. Vaughan adds, “We have a lot of music ready to go that we’re just really itching to get out there.” PUBLIC is ready for the world to hear them, so it’s time to start listening because their music isn’t something to be missed.