Editor's Note: This story first appeared in its original format in the new issue of Variance. Click here for the full version.

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Not long after West Coast outfit Port O'Brien disbanded in 2011, singer-songwriter Van Pierszalowski quickly released a new full-length under the moniker WATERS.

Pierszalowski has laid low for the past couple of years, but he made a rousing return in February with an incredibly addictive new single, which is appropriately titled “Got to My Head.” And as the title not-so-subtly implies, it’s an earworm.

WATERS Featured in Spring Playlist

It should come as no surprise WATERS is heading in a more hi-fi, melodic direction this time around. But it’s a welcome change. Pierszalowski has always had a knack for catchy hooks, but he recently revealed he’s been working with Ryan Rabin of GROUPLOVE and Chris Chu of POP ETC. In fact, they actually recorded on the new album, which is expected to be done sometime this spring.

While WATERS is hardly a “new” band, the new material is promising this is the beginning of a new and much more interesting chapter in Pierszalowski’s career as he’s likely about to go from that small fish in a big pond to flat-out ruling the ocean.