Song Spotlight: Declan Palmer's Am I Into You? (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

With a full backing band, Declan Palmer took to the WFNM showcase at Bar Lubitsch to perform his recently released EP, Scarred/Shining. On a recent Cal State Northridge Music Industry Studies Instagram post, he described his music as, "Alt pop, singer-songwriter type stuff. I love cool chords and cool production." 

Declan Palmer at Bar Lubitsch

Is he scarred? The last two songs on the EP are titled "Remember When You Held Me On The Boat?" and "When I Bleed." The Spotify video clip for the former (first) song has a young woman pulling back on an archery bow, aiming it directly in his direction. I don't think she represents cupid, "You used to love being held by me." He also mentioned during his set that he just "can't get over my ex." The EP title is taken from the lyrics of "When I Bleed." Once you're scarred, perhaps you come out of it a better person.

The band wasn't all about being depressed about romance. The band did a rather fun rendition of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." There was some joking to lighten the mood. For the last song of the night, he called it "[We Found] New Habits." A joke about WFNM. When the band finished up that song, the crowd was anticipating another and Palmer had to emphasize to the crowd, "The set is over."

Declan Palmer at Bar Lubitsch

The song spotlight goes to "Am I Into You?" Samantha Franks did an unanticipated pop-in for the song, singing back-up vocals. Back in 2025, I wrote a blog post (you can read it here) about a WFNM night where she performed under the band name The Franks Sisters (a band that includes her sister). 

The song highlights a lo-fi alt pop performance by the band. During an instrumental portion of the song, Franks walked up on stage to temporarily take over lead vocal duties before the two blend their vocals together to give the song a raw vibe. 

Declan Palmer at Bar Lubitsch

What have you done to me?
Now I'm losing sleep without the fix I need.

A song about yearning for connection with a girl at a party. Is this a moment of scarring or shining? 

Setlist: Tell Me The Answer, Am I Into You?, Remember When You Held Me On The Boat?, When I Bleed, Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears cover), New Habits.