Listen to This Song and Don't Be a Dick: Peter Yanowitz of Princess Goes on "Sincere Chroma"
Interview by Camille Germain
Photo by Joe Gall
Princess Goes has never been a band that followed a blueprint. Michael C. Hall, Matt Katz-Bohen, and Peter Yanowitz first met more than a decade ago while performing together in the Broadway production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. That shared stage experience turned into creative chemistry that continued long after the curtain came down. Since then, the New York City trio has steadily carved out a space and sound all their own. They’ve released an EP, two full-length albums, and performed more than 100 shows worldwide, and are now preparing to release a third album later this year.
Their latest single, "Sincere Chroma," showcases the contrast Princess Goes has become known for. Driven by shimmering synths and an undeniably danceable groove, the track explores the lingering emotions of heartbreak, self-reflection, and the reality that some relationships don't end with the closure we'd like. It's the kind of song that pulls you in with its energy before revealing the weight carried beneath the surface.
In this interview, drummer and songwriter Peter Yanowitz reflects on the breakup that inspired "Sincere Chroma," how the songwriting process helped him work through those emotions, the creative decisions that shaped the track over months of refinement, and why one of Princess Goes' most upbeat songs also became one of its most emotionally revealing.
CAMILLE: What was the main inspiration for this song and does that inspiration match the final story?
PETER: A break-up... one that still bites. Aside from the Gwyneth Paltrow/Chris Martin 'uncoupling,’ there rarely seems to be a nice break-up story. The end result pretty much matches the final story, but on "Sincere" the bouncy, positivenature of the track contrasted nicely with the bitter emotions going on in the lyrics. It has a party on your grave kind of feel.
CAMILLE: While creating “Sincere Chroma,” were you surprised by any new emotions or ideas you felt or had? If so, what stood out to you?
PETER: The lyrics for "Sincere Chroma" just flowed out in one go. They were pretty much exactly how I was feeling. It was a case of letting the emotions flow, and using the song as a sort of container for healing. I'm a firm believer that creating art can save you, or help paint you out of a corner, and "Sincere Chroma" was like that for me. I felt much better after I sang it, and was able to let go of some of the angst, but not all of it.
CAMILLE: The band describes the track as being about the lack of tidy closure in life and relationships. How would you describe the different elements of the song and the ways in which they contribute to the many facets of interpersonal turmoil?
PETER: It always takes two, but sometimes, one party is really a bigger dick than the other. I like the pre-chorus, where there is some self-reflection too on my side. I could have done better, but boy, you didn't need to be such a dick. There definitely can be differing levels of dick-ness, and sometimes that needs to be called out.
CAMILLE: What was the recording process like for this track from your perspective? Were there any creative decisions or experiments behind the drum performance that listeners might not immediately notice?
PETER: This track went through many months of revisits. I got the verse vocal melody wrong the first six months of working on the song. Sometimes you lock into the wrong melody and it can really be a bitch to back up and start again. In this case, the new melody sat in the verses a lot better and we were finally off to the races.
CAMILLE: Were there any specific drum patterns, textures, or dynamic choices you used to reflect tension between chaos and acceptance?
PETER: The drums are live, but looped (one of the only drum loops we use on the album cuz we wanted live drums on most all the other songs). We worked hard to get the perfect loop.. with the fat sounds, and the little nuances (like that ghost kick drum that happens every other bar). It's hard to not want to move to this beat.. it gets me dancing every time I play it.
CAMILLE: Is there anything else you would like to add?
PETER: PLEASE GO LISTEN TO THIS SONG!!!!! .. AND DON'T BE A DICK!!
Pre-save their album here.
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