Pinkshift's infectious melodies, incisive yet vulnerable writing style, and diverse ethnic backgrounds have helped make the Baltimore trio beacons of the modern pop-punk scene. Their Hopeless Records debut, Love Me Forever, appeared in 2022, with the Suraksha EP arriving the following year. Comprised of Ashrita Kumar, Paul Vallejo, and Myron Houngbedji, who met while attending Johns Hopkins University, Pinkshift emerged in 2019 and found fame during the COVID-19 pandemic when their single "I'm Gonna Tell My Therapist On You" went viral. Combining punk, grunge, alternative rock, and emo elements -- the band cites Nirvana, No Doubt, and Arctic Monkeys as influences -- the trio issued their debut EP, Saccharine, in 2021. The overwhelmingly positive response prompted the band members to ditch higher education for a music career. Pinkshift inked a deal with Hopeless Records ahead of their first full-length effort, 2022's Will Yip-produced Love Me Forever, which included the streaming hit "I'm Not Crying You're Crying." The band kept the momentum going in 2023 with the EP Suraksha and teamed up with N.Y.C. musician, illustrator, and animator Jhariah for the single "Eat Your Friends." - Biography by James Christopher Monger