young friend shares the jangly new song + video “golden rule”

November 22, 2024 BY Emma Orland

Today, Vancouver native and JUNO-nominated artist young friend returns with a jangly new indie-rock jam “golden rule.” After teasing the song on TikTok and Instagram, fans have been clamoring to hear the entire track constantly commenting with the Maple Leaf emoji in reference to the first lyric, “She saved my number to her phone with a maple leaf, I’ve got her name and then her city in parentheses…”

There’s a smokey, playful energy to this tale relishing a fling. “We don’t love each other, that’s alright. Yeah, we’re just each other time to times,” croons Drew Tarves’ fuzzed vocals over driving, riffy guitars. Drew worked with friend and co-producer David Marinelli (fresh off the new FINNEAS album) to artfully craft this follow-up to recent singles, “boyfriend material” and “the real deal.

Drew explains: “This song is about casual relationships and how connection doesn’t always have to be so deep. Sometimes it’s alright just enjoy each others company and move on…”

young friend is coming off a string of West Coast tour dates, including an LA show with fellow artists FINNEAS, Remi Wolf, and Adam Melchor in attendance, and an opener slot with Royel Otis, where he played to a crowd in the thousands. young friend is certainly one to watch!

Watch & Share young friend “golden rule” here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q26e0tFFX_E

Drew Tarves’ music as young friend feels classic and immediate all at once, capturing the nostalgia of post-adolescence while diving deep into a pool of self-reflection. His next project is bursting with big feelings and perfect golden light. It feels messy and raw, like long summer nights piling into the back of a pickup truck with all your friends, sprinting to catch the last summer sunset, taking off your shoes and dancing in the grass, falling, getting back up. 

A trained dancer for most of his adolescence, the 24-year-old Vancouver native switched artistic disciplines after spending time jamming with his musician friends. “I found out very quickly that I loved it,” he recalls. “It was my favorite thing to do.” Armed with a guitar and a laptop, Tarves started hashing out early songwriting attempts on GarageBand as he found his own style that suited him: “It was all about experimenting while trying to find what worked for me.”

In 2022, Tarves released his indie-pop debut EP HOW DID WE GET HERE?, and quickly followed it up with a sophomore in 2023 titled scaredy cat. 2024 brought in his first Canadian and international touring, as well as a JUNO nomination. Now, young friend is prepping his debut full-length that’s produced by friend and frequent collaborator David Marinelli (FINNEAS, Ashe, Wallice, spill tab). The album pulls inspiration from a multitude of places and artists, landing in this comfy space of new and familiar while also making room for self-discovery. It will take you along for the ride of your life. “This album takes notes from a lot of different artists and bands that I really love, and as a result, it is this sort of genre-bending fever dream album.”

YOUNG FRIEND IN THE PRESS…

“young friend keeps it casual and cheeky, but can’t help but charm listeners as the chorus melts into an earnest admission.” 

– Ones to Watch

“…summer anthems that sound otherworldly…”

SHEESH MEDIA

“…young friend has established himself as a rising act in heartfelt pop, building an expansive sonic world brimming warm nostalgia and self-reflection.”

–EARMILK

“One remarkable aspect of songwriting is the ability to paint a picture. It’s a rare talent, being able to use words to create a visceral image within the mind of a listener. With his slow-burn acoustic pop hits, young friends has mastered this art.” 

– V Magazine

Download Single Art Here