Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon break with our Afternoon Tea curators. Need an extra lump of sugar? One more sip? If you have five minutes more (or ten), we have one more hit.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Earthquake Lights.
Ahead of their upcoming fourth studio album’s 2027 arrival, New York’s Earthquake Lights share “Too Late” (feat. Nicole Zuraitis), a soulful, sophisticated new single that pairs timeless songwriting with modern alternative rock production. Drawing equally from classic soul, neo-classical composition, and contemporary rock, the track tells the story of two people drifting apart, with each voice offering a different perspective on the same relationship. The result is a poignant meditation on longing, regret, and the quiet realization that some moments cannot be reclaimed.
Inspired by the music of Norah Jones and vintage soul records, “Too Late” began as a melody at the piano before gradually revealing the emotional story it wanted to tell. Rather than approaching the lyrics first, the band allowed the music to dictate the narrative, ultimately shaping a duet that feels both intimate and universal.
“We always write the music first and fit the lyrics into the melody,” vocalist/pianist Myles Rodenhouse explains. “This one started at the piano, sung to gibberish and the phrase ‘It’s too late.’ I further fleshed it out with the band before we asked Nicole to collaborate and sing on the track.”
Stream + share “Too Late” now:
The title arrived only after the emotional framework had taken shape, becoming a simple yet powerful expression of the song’s central truth. Rather than assigning blame or searching for easy answers, “Too Late” explores the bittersweet space where love, timing, and acceptance intersect, allowing both perspectives to exist with equal weight.
Musically, the single embraces an approach rarely heard in contemporary rock. Instead of relying on repetitive four-bar loops, the composition unfolds through evolving neo-classical chord progressions inspired by mid-20th-century songwriting. That timeless foundation is paired with lush modern production, creating a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic and strikingly current.
The collaboration with two-time GRAMMY Award–winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis became one of the recording’s defining moments. After hearing the completed chorus, Nicole penned the verse lyrics from her character’s perspective, adding emotional depth and completing the conversation between the song’s two protagonists. Together, the performances transform “Too Late” into something that feels less like a duet and more like two parallel stories finally meeting.
ONE PIECE OF MUSIC – “Estate” by João Gilberto
Patience rewards you with this track. Tremendously lush string arrangements (recorded in the long defunct, large format studios once found in NYC) perfectly balance the simple, tight sound of Gilberto’s guitar work and songwriting. This tune is not at all repetitive, with a lengthy intro and restrained dynamics and tempo, it’s a bit of a slow burn. But the old school sensibilities offer a great look at what songwriters used to favor: arc, cadence, motive, chromaticism, and clever repetition. Bossa Nova great João Gilberto is a master of this style! This is a perfect track for an introspective cup of tea.
ONE VISUAL – “Kingfisher and Crescent Moon” by Yoshimoto Gesso
The dark, simple colors of a kingfisher at night remind us to take a moment and reflect. A shaded green tea should evoke the same reflection. Not too much is happening here, just take a moment for introspection, clarity, and simplicity.
ONE TYPE OF TEA – Kabusecha (Japanese Green) – This tea is the first harvest from shaded tea plants in Japan. It offers a mellower, umami rich cup of green tea; perfect for spending time with a patient record by João Gilberto. Brewed at 165º for one minute, this is a light, grassy tea with balanced tannins.
For those in Brooklyn, Kettl has an excellent selection of green tea and serves it brewed to perfection at their tea bar. You can often find Kabusecha here.
Tea + Me 