Back in 2008, I’d still venture to mixup records and scavenge the discount bins. I’d been doing it for the previous 4 years and I had some duffers and some keepers.

Since I would commute for 2 hours or so, I needed fresh music everyday. One day in July of 2008, a massive waterspout hit near my job and I had to stay for a while, waiting for the flooded streets to recede. I was listening for the first time to Headlights while writing a short story that ended up seemingly nowhere.

Put us back together felt meaningful. A moment of peacefulness after an excruciating time. Respite after the storm. A hug after a long mourning. When I felt bad, I’d go back to that song and feel like I can keep moving on.

In late 2009, I spent late nights at uni of Sheffield’s information commons writing a novel. Every chapter was titled after a song that reflected the plot, and a genre was assigned to each character. Headlights had the responsibility of the harshest, most emotionally draining chapter, the novel closing moment.

I eventually managed to interview Headlights in late 2011. Little did I knew it was their last interview as they’d split. Erin Fein, the lead singer, eventually created some wonderful music with psychic twin, so even if the end of Headlights felt emotional draining, she found a way forward.

-Sam J. Valdés López