Biography
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Years Active
2008 – present (16 years)
Public is a three-piece indie pop group hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio. The band consists of John Vaughan on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Lapps on drums, and Matt Alvarado on bass. They formed in 2008, initially starting as a songwriting duo with Vaughan and Lapps before Alvarado joined to complete the current lineup of Public.
Drawing inspiration from their roots in classic rock and indie pop, Public released their first EP titled "Red" in 2012, quickly establishing a strong local fanbase in Cincinnati. Their energetic performances and infectious sound caught the attention of renowned acts like Walk the Moon, Twenty One Pilots, and Young the Giant, leading to opportunities for the band to support these artists on tour. Public also made appearances at notable festivals including Forecastle, Bunbury, CMJ, and SXSW, exposing them to diverse crowds and expanding their reach.
Following their second EP release, "Let's Make It," and a national tour supporting Walk the Moon, Public ventured to Los Angeles, California, to collaborate with producer Eric Palmquist (known for his work with Mars Volta and Bad Suns). Immersed in a new creative environment and drawing from their experiences on the road, the band embraced alternative and pop influences, resulting in the creation of their 2015 single, "Heartbeating." The release coincided with their national tour alongside Oh Honey and received favorable recognition from respected blogs such as Kings of A&R and Good Music All Day, which praised Public's harmonies and captivating indie style.
In 2019, Public experienced a breakthrough with their single "Make You Mine." Originally self-released in 2015, the song gained significant traction after going viral on TikTok, accumulating over 2.5 million TikTok videos featuring the track. The band's success on the platform and their partnership with Jonas Group Entertainment, headed by Kevin Jonas Sr., caught the attention of major record labels. In July 2019, Public signed with Island Records.
Following their signing, Public released a new version of "Make You Mine" that was mixed by Grammy Award winners Chris Lord-Alge and mastered by Emily Lazar. The track became a sensation on TikTok, reaching the number four spot on the trending charts and accumulating over 7 million streams per week. To date, "Make You Mine" has garnered over 260 million streams. On May 8, the group released their new single "Honey in the Summer," a breezy laid-back love song co-written and produced by John Fields.
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