In Color’s New Single “Big Deal”: Nashville Alt-Pop at Its Best

Nashville’s In Color Just Dropped a Massive New Single—But the Story Behind It Is Even Better

There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when a band isn’t just a group of “coworkers,” but a group of actual friends. For the Nashville-based outfit In Color, that chemistry is the entire engine.

Their new single “Big Deal” just hit the airwaves, and while the hooks are undeniable, it’s the history between the members—Holden Clontz, Matthew Hastings, Val Hoyt, and Miles Laderman—that makes the track feel so grounded.

A Decade in the Making

In Color didn’t just appear out of thin air. You can actually trace their roots all the way back to an Atlanta middle school, where Val and Miles first met. They navigated high school together, moved to Nashville for Belmont University, and spent years as roommates.

On the other side of the equation, Holden landed in Music City at 19 and met Matt through a roommate. They didn’t just start a project; they became best friends first.

The Snowstorm That Started It All

While the guys had been in each other’s orbits for a long time, the “lightning strike” moment didn’t happen until the brutal Nashville snowstorm of early 2024. When the city shut down, the four of them leaned into their “silent bond,” locked themselves away, and started pushing the boundaries of what they wanted their sound to be.

The result? A brand of alternative pop that feels three-dimensional. It’s got those big, “stuck-in-your-head” melodies, but there’s a grit and depth to the soundscapes that you only get from people who aren’t afraid to take risks around one another.

Why “Big Deal” Matters

“Big Deal” is a perfect introduction to who In Color is right now. It’s polished, sure, but it feels alive. It’s the sound of four people who have spent years learning each other’s rhythms finally hitting their stride.

In a world of manufactured pop, In Color feels like the real thing—a group of friends making music that actually means something to them. And if this single is any indication, they’re going to be a very big deal, very soon.