In the first song on their upcoming debut EP, Irene Greene and Mason Summit, collectively known as The Prickly Pair, sing “I hold my breath and take the plunge.” Leaps like this one, both personally and musically, mark The Prickly Pair’s tale. The first one was when Berwyn, PA native, Greene, reached out to Summit to team up for a class assignment when they both were students at USC/Thornton School of Music—they were in the same class, but had never met. The next came a bit later when they became a couple. And then, after pursuing separate musical paths, deciding during the pandemic to see what they could do as a duo. After that it was a big jump, moving from L.A. to Nashville. What started as a songwriting class exercise will soon become a marriage and a debut showcasing their “angsty Americana” approach, The Prickly Pair EP.
Today, The Prickly Pair debuted the first single from their new release, “Winsome Lose Some Game.” Ripe with tight, close harmonies throughout the entire song, “Winsome Lose Some Game” is the perfect introduction to the fullness of Green and Summit’s relationship, the excitement and fears of committing to another person captured in both the words and music, and, crucially, their gorgeously intertwined voices. “I think this song is about loving and accepting a person for who they are,” says Greene. “Sometimes it’s a toss-up, but when you find the right person, you’ll love them wholeheartedly, in spite of their flaws.” Summit added the “clip-clop” percussion to give “Winsome” its decidedly Western feel and the Pair asked Jeff Plankenhorn to play lead on the song after opening for him at Santa Monica’s beloved McCabe’s Guitar Shop last year. The end result is a stunning statement signaling great things to come from the up-and-coming duo.
Atwood Magazine premiered the single yesterday, writing, “With warm harmonies and an aching sweetness, The Prickly Pair invite us into a space that feels both timeless and personal. It’s the kind of song you might catch spilling softly out of a back porch at dusk, or echoing like a secret between two lovers. It’s tender, vulnerable, and utterly disarming: An ode to love as a gamble worth taking. ”
Stream or purchase “Winsome Lose Some Game” today at this link and pre-order or pre-save The Prickly Pair EP ahead of its October 24th release right here. For more information, please click here.
The Prickly Pair EP Tracklist:
Winsome Lose Some Game
Swamp Angel
Riverside
Never Any Good
Piece of the Sky
Upcoming Shows:
Aug. 28 - The Underdog - Nashville, TN
Aug. 30 - FESTCO at New Heights Brewing Company - Nashville, TN
Sept. 27 - Eastside Bowl (Low Volume Lounge) - Nashville, TN
About The Prickly Pair: Mason Summit & Irene Greene join forces as The Prickly Pair, a Nashville-based duo specializing in angsty Americana. Both have pursued solo careers but sought to combine their talents in a project that demonstrates a deep mutual love of country & western traditions while staying true to their own unique musical instincts. The Prickly Pair’s self-titled debut EP will be out on October 24th, 2025.
