Claremont High School has seen its fair share of musical talent, but none compare to the duo of seniors Frida Palafox and Mateo Cervantes. The pair released their first work, My Stages of Grief, on December 23rd, 2022. The EP (extended play) is the culmination of the intense feelings and thoughts brewing in Palafox for the last three to four years, showcasing her life and growth through this time. As the title suggests, the five-song EP delves into love, relationships of all kinds, and the pain that comes with it.

“I consider these moments that I write about, core memories,” Palafox said. “I could not express these moments verbally when I talked to people, but I was able to let the guitar and the chord progressions speak for themselves.”

Heartbreak, love, and building oneself up from the ashes are all themes that the EP touches on. Although many of these experiences are shared by Palafox, she attempts to share both sides of her stories in each song. Palafox finds it important to share both perspectives, adding depth and nuance to her lyricism.

Cervantes and Palafox have known each other since middle school, where their love for playing music talents first blossomed. During that time, Palafox showcased her singer/songwriter abilities to Cervantes, and the idea of a collaboration between the two stepped into the realm of possibility. The pair are both chamber singers in the CHS Choir which allowed them to hone their musical abilities and put out an organic, unique, and touching body of work.

Cervantes handled the production side of things, using their knowledge of music production software to insert a diverse range of chords and melodies to accompany Palafox’s vocals.

“A lot of the story in the EP has to do with its lyrics and I tried to complement that by adding whatever is going on in the background,” Cervantes said.

The production is one of the most interesting parts of the EP. Cervantes’ unique approach to music production is due to their fresh perspective. Having been recorded in their homes, the EP is given life through sounds that remind listeners of a homely and warm environment. Both Palafox and Cervantes are relatively new to professional recording and producing, but that brings a raw and wholesome feel.

“In the background, you can hear forks clinging and dogs barking, which I think is pretty funny,” Cervantes said.

Since some of the lyrics on the EP date back three to four years, Palafox is able to reflect on the different experiences she has had over time, and is able to visualize her growth. The album is rather universal, each song pertaining to multiple people or different times in Palafox’s life.

“There is a definite beginning to when the EP begins, but even the final track does not bring with it the end of my story,” Palafox said.