BIVES Take Flight with “Airlines”

With soaring hooks, heart-in-mouth honesty, and a sound built for sweaty dance floors and live stages alike, Bives’ new single “Airlines” captures the band at a moment of lift-off. Following a breakout year that included their debut EP Misery and the Mend and a run of standout singles, the band are doubling down on what they do best: emotionally charged songwriting powered by the raw thrill of a classic rock band setup. We caught up with Bives to talk about the inspiration behind “Airlines,” the evolution of their sound, and what lies ahead as they head into 2026 with serious momentum.

Your new single “Airlines” has such high-energy, danceable vibes. What was the inspiration behind the song, and how does it capture the spirit of Bives right now?

“Airlines” represents what is most fun about being in a band. It was written to be played live and captures the magic of the tried-and-true rock band format—two guitars, bass, and drums. It starts small, almost as if the singer is demonstrating a new song for the rest of the band for the first time, then moves into the expected sonic signature of a rock band before lifting into more contemporary territory with lush synth layers in the final chorus.

That foundation supports the lyrics, which depict a mutual affection between two people who finally reveal their feelings for each other and discover that those feelings are reciprocated. Anyone who has been there knows the anxiety leading up to that moment—the perceived risk of expressing how you feel—and the relief and happiness that comes when you learn they love you too.

2025 has been a big year for Bives, with your debut EP Misery and the Mend and standout singles like “Standing Alone” and “Burning.” How has the band’s sound evolved over the past year?

We’ve worked with several producers and performed many times throughout 2025. One thing we consistently notice is how grateful we feel when the magic of the studio version translates naturally into our live arrangements. That tends to happen most often when a song relies on the rock band format at its core.

You can hear that clearly on “Airlines.” We’re really excited about establishing a song’s composition with two guitars, bass, and drums, and then augmenting it with additional layers. All of the drums and electric piano parts on the upcoming EP were recorded together in the same room at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, specifically to establish a real, alive timbre at the foundation of the songs.

The official music video for “Airlines” brings the song to life visually. How do you approach translating your music into visuals, and what story were you hoping to tell?

“Airlines” is the first music video we’ve made that features actors and a narrative plot. It was crucial for us that the video felt eventful and carried the same sense of drama that exists in the lyrics. We really prioritized the rhythm of the story—so much so that we created an abridged version of the song to perfectly match the pacing and needs of the narrative.

The video mirrors the same reveal of mutual attraction described in the lyrics, but places it onto two characters in a very unlikely situation: one has just hit the other with their car. That contrast helped heighten the emotional stakes in a way that felt both surprising and true to the song.

Bives’ music has been described as both introspective and electrifyingly energetic. How do you balance those contrasting elements in your songwriting and performances?

It’s important for artists to make work that’s as multi-dimensional as they are. Creating music that’s fun to dance to while also acknowledging things that are difficult to talk about helps us become better artists. Ultimately, we want to make music that listeners find moving—both emotionally and physically.

Looking ahead to 2026, what can fans expect from Bives in terms of new music and live shows, and how do you plan to build on the momentum of “Airlines”?

“Airlines” is the first single from our upcoming six-song EP. Each of us has individually contributed songs, while also building on and augmenting one another’s ideas. The EP really highlights the benefits of being part of a team—every element of the music and every stage of the process is shaped by someone who feels deeply passionate about that particular aspect of creating it.