Biography

Not all artists have the luck of a teenage Billie Eilish. Some artists play opening gigs for years, others never leave their garage. For the San Jose based Second Story Duo, they are choosing to make a splash in their later years, proving you don't need youth or celebrity to make an impact.

Most people will remember 2020 for the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, Lynn Case and Doug Bloomquist, however, will remember it for crafting their debut album ‘What I Wish For Us.’ A ten track album that soothingly explores the journey of finding joy, healing, and love, reminding even the most cynical romantic that some things in life are worth waiting for.

The album's title track is upbeat, led by funk-driven guitars, and hard hitting beats. It’s lyrics best convey what they hope for: “Let life be healthy, let us grow old with love and laughter.” The song is described as a “moment you feel everything is going right, you say a prayer hoping it will stay that way.” On songs like ‘Becoming a Family, and “When April Comes Next Year” Lynn’s delicate vocals achingly sing of finding oneself and each other through grief. No stranger to loss, the songs’ simplicity beautifully explores the intimate nature of healing, as the duo became a creative and family unit after Doug’s late wife died by suicide. Lynn’s voice weaves through the truthful lyrics of how “trust and fear collide,” depicting the return of Doug finding himself and happiness, as well as learning to lean on one another.

Life is a collaborative experience, and that's exactly the idea behind ‘What I Wish For Us.’ It’s the partnering of a love story, creating a collective piece of work that stands out as a solid debut. In the newly redesigned music industry where you can craft the next greatest hit at home, Second Story Duo produced and recorded their entire album from their home studio.

Doug, an early Apple pioneer and multi-instrumentalist, grew up inspired by his father, who had a hit record in 1957 and owned a chain of music studios that Doug would later teach at with his mother. While incredibly proficient, music was more of an extracurricular activity for Doug. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he spent 18 years as a Naval Officer which led him to the doors of Apple, working with Steve Jobs. Later moving on to Google, he retired in 2013.

Lynn was raised on musicals and developed a thrilling and emotional connection to songs, purchasing her first 45’ as a young girl. Inspired by female artists such as Judy Tzuke and Angela Bofill, Lynn had an early awareness of the lack of representation of female creators in the music industry describing “it was hard to find women artists when I was younger, so they (Judy Tzuke, Angela Bofill) were on my player over and over.” It wasn’t until she was 40 that she decided to sing in public, and at 50 write her first song(s).

‘What I Wish For Us’ is more than just an album title, Second Story Duo are an inspiration. Maybe they don’t have an acclaimed hit yet, but it doesn’t mean they can’t heavily influence a music culture that tends to glorify young artists. Lynn and Doug are creating a legacy, not afraid of dreaming big, and putting themselves out there while not trying to fit someone else’s mold. As for the future, they would love to pen or co-pen tracks for bigger artists. If anything is for certain, Second Story Duo can steer their empire in whatever direction they choose.

‘What I Wish For Us’ available Thanksgiving Day 2020