#ftbtmusic

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The Band Camino @ The El Rey Theater *Night 1* (Los Angeles, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Bones @ The Observatory (Santa Ana, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Bombay Bicycle Club @ The Mayan (Los Angeles, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Interview with Cowgirl Clue

Sitting outside of The Constellation Room in Santa Ana, we were able to have a fun little chat with Cowgirl Clue as she geared up for her show! Check out our Q&A below!

There’s a bright color scheme running through all of the visual media accompanying your music. Have you picked any colors in particular based on color theory? What feelings are you trying to evoke with your visual media versus your music?

I just like to kind of run with one. Sometimes I'll just go with a color scheme for a while because I think it helps support the music and gives the visual stimulation naturally. It's not really something that I'm thinking of, it's just something that I put together depending on how I'm feeling or what my favorite color is at that time. Since I've been doing a kind of fairy theme right now, I’ve been using green because it symbolizes leaves and nature and is just very pop-y. I have been gravitating towards orange lately though!

Do live performances play a key role in your creation process for new music?

Yeah! I think it's all relevant. The more you play the same songs, the more you want to write new songs. Sometimes I'll get a vision while i'm writing of what the reaction will be live, and if I get a good feeling then I'll keep writing it.

Do you feel like you get into a different creative headspace when you're on the road?

Yeah! Everyone has their favorite songs to play live, but it's really refreshing to have new songs to play. This tour has been really fun because i have all new songs to play after how long I've been playing the old ones. Keeping it fresh is a great feeling in the creative process.

You’ve partnered with Enjoy (Wyatt Shears) to curate a clothing store out in Fullerton. How have clothing and fashion influenced your life, and how did you land on your signature look?

I don't really know. It just came to me over time! I have this one white jacket that I got because it was weird, but it was way too big for me so i got it tailored and it turned into my favorite jacket and started my look. For the shop, I get a lot of inspiration from Japanese culture and the Y2K era, so it's full of stuff that I was too young to be wearing when it was popular.

The whole Vada Vada brand is about cultivating your own story and identity, are there any specific events or places that have helped you create Cowgirl Clue?

Definitely! I feel like bad and good experiences mold who you are. When I think about pivotal moments of my life where I've had a decision, it's never one straight line. When I met a lot of my friends, I met them all on the same night in 2013 and Vada Vada was a loose thing for them, and it's just grown as we've all grown. In our music, art, and fashion it feels like there's a lot of rules, but it's nice to be surrounded by people that embrace the weirdness of each other.

Have you been to any shows that have really stuck with you and inspired you to build up your own live set? If so, who?

I think when I started doing shows I had a rough outline of what I wanted to do, but it's always just about how you're going to get from point A to point B. I don’t even know if I'm there yet, but I'm happy that i have an album out. It's always been interesting to me to see an artist that’s big have sound problems because when I’m up on stage I think about how an artist I like had their mic screeching back to them on stage and it reminds me that it's OK. I recently went to Coachella and saw Rosalia and she was really good. I’m a huge fan of her right now, but there has always been a lot of DJ's that have inspired me!

https://cowgirlclue.bandcamp.com/

Writing and photos by Ashton Carr

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Bad Suns @ The Glass House (Pomona, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Black Beach @ Programme Skate & Sound by Ashton Carr

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Interview with FIDLAR

We recently got the opportunity to pick the brain of Elvis Kuehn from FIDLAR to find out some of the process that went into the creation and celebration of their latest record, “Almost Free”. Read it below and let us know what you think!

The musical, political, and literal landscapes have changed quite a bit for you guys over the years since your past releases. Have these changes created a positive impact on FIDLAR as a whole? Do you feel as though you will need changes consistently to keep the band going?

Since change is the only constant in life I think it’s important to embrace change.  We push ourselves to try new things and get out of our comfort zone.  That’s a very important part of our creative process.  

Were there any ideas thrown out during the planning of ‘Almost Free’ or the tours around it that you had to just stop and laugh at? Did any of those end up being used in the end?

The beginning of “By Myself” is a voice memo Zac made while he was in Hawaii, we ended up just keeping the audio from the voice memo because it’s funny and intimate, it wouldn’t have had the same impact if we tried to rerecord it in the studio.  

Toning down your use of so many musical elements between ‘Too’ and ‘Almost Free’ seemed to do you right. Was that the obvious direction of the album from the jump, or did it take some experimenting to come to that conclusion?

A lot of these songs came from demos either made in my studio or Zac’s studio, and a lot of the original tracks on the demos are used on the final album tracks, like guitars, samples, etc.  We pushed ourselves to try to strip down certain songs and take a “less is more” approach.

Highlighting the FIDIOT community seems to be an integral part of the FIDLAR brand. Do you feel like bringing fans and friends into FIDLAR on social media and in music videos helps to bring you guys back to Earth when you’ve been away from home for a while?

Social media isn’t the best way for me to get back to earth while on the road, it can actually be very disconnecting and isolating, but connecting with our fans is really important, and being able connect with them at shows is amazing, we would be nowhere without them.  

In a lot of interviews in the past you guys act like FIDLAR is ancient due to you guys hitting your 10 year band-iversary. Do you feel like your years are giving you something to pass onto the younger generation of artists, or do you feel as though your learning more from them?

We have experienced a lot as a band so far and I hope we can help some younger bands just starting out.  I think it’s very important to be constantly learning and growing, and that can come from young artists or old artists.

You’ve been utilizing more traditional instruments like horns and Spanish percussion as of late. Are there any other avenues that you’d like to explore for upcoming releases?

Utilizing strings and more orchestral elements would be fun.

To kick off the release of your latest record, you threw a string of shows that were smaller, cheaper, and completely accessible for fans. Why did you feel the need to bring the ‘Almost Free’ sentiment to your fans in that way?

Our fans have been with us since the beginning and are very loyal, especially in Los Angeles, we wanted to give them a great show for as cheap as we could to show them how much we appreciate them.

Written by Ashton Carr

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The Greeting Committee @ The Mayan (Los Angeles, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Yungblud x Machine Gun Kelly @ On The Rox (Hollywood, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Ashton’s Top 10 of 2018

On the first day of the new year, let’s look back at some of the best 2018 had to offer!

Know me - The Band Camino

I don’t really know what to say other than: This song hit me hard. Something about that odd percussive sound right at the start sent shivers down my spine before the lyrics had a chance to (but those shivers soon followed). Elements such as subtle reverb and harmonies build up the stack of endless reasons for you to love this track, and i guarantee that the more you listen, the more you will find. Spencer Stewart is the featured vocalist on this track (The Band Camino utilizes two vocalists, the other being Jeffery Jordan), and the sheer control he showcases in this track gives it the impact that truly left my head shaken and heart broken.

$20 - Armors/Olivver The Kid ft. Lostboycrow

Take whatever you know about song structure and throw it out your car window while you hit the road and head to Vegas in the dead of night. Armors (Sam Beresford/Olen Kittleson), Olivver The Kid (Bryan Sammis), and Lostboycrow separately are 3 of my favorite artists and songwriters, but together, are a unit that can not be stopped. “$20” is a masterpiece of a lyrical story, wrapped in an almost frantic instrumental, and tied with a bow of ridiculously fabulous vocals from all of the artists involved. There may be nothing more powerful than these 4 men in a room together.

Bambi - Hippo Campus

Hippo Campus has been on my radar for the past 4 or so years, but I really think that this year was theirs. "Bambi" is a frame full of what makes this band as wonderful as they are: covering things such as anxiety, toxic masculinity, love, and loss in a perfect genre-less package of songs. Their last record "Landmark" was an important part of shaping the indie music market, and "Bambi" is leading the pack in changing everything we knew. That being said, I wouldn’t be too mad if all we knew was Hippo Campus.

Hourglass Sand - Derek Ted

My heart has not-so secretly belonged to folk music ever since I stumbled upon the boys of Sunroom Recordz & Salon, and i found myself hiding away to listen to this EP from one of said boys more than most this year. “Hourglass Sand” carries a Spring breeze throughout the EP in it’s sometimes bubbly instrumentals, flower petals flourish in Ted’s vocal melodies, and lyrics fall lightly but with reason like April rain from the tops of the clouds.

Wait - Arlie

The debut EP from Nashville sweethearts, Arlie, has left a lofi fuzz lingering over the polished production of this year’s indie scene. The seriously good music from this band is eclipsed by the whimsical melodies and ridiculously bubbly personalities of each band member, leaving a dreamy, fun feeling with the exit of each track. I can’t find a single track from Arlie that doesn’t perfectly encapsulate their energy and creativity on this EP. There simply isn’t a bad or uninspired track in their collection.

Stereo - Omar Apollo

Throw one of the most gorgeous voices you’ll ever hear, some horrible dance moves, and a massive sense of humor into a blender, and out will come Omar Apollo. His debut EP covers a plethora of genres while still maintaining his own unique perspective. More ambient undertones form the base of this release, leaving ample room for Apollo’s singing/rapping to fill your psyche and leave those melodies for days after.

People Floating - Renny Conti

It takes a certain type of soul to bring forth nostalgia over events that transpired thousands of miles away from you. Renny Conti possesses just that type of soul. You will find it flowing effortlessly in and out of his debut record, titled “People Floating”. This record feels like the bone-chilling warmth of a cloudy night, enveloping you in memories of lighter days while promising a new start once light breaks through again. Stumbling upon this record is one of the highlights of my year.

Carnival - Briston Maroney

More than any other artist this year, Briston Maroney will likely leave my head and heart spinning well into the new year. Borrowing tones from classic Southern blues, “Carnival” boasts original, homegrown, and near-holy rock tunes that are almost unheard of in modern music. I’ve found it impossible to stop listening to this EP over the past month- unwillingly (but happily) drowning in the hope and heartbreak that this 5-track collection offers.

The Sound of Your Voice - Nightly

The end of 2016 brought Nightly into the light with their debut EP, “Honest”, but the end of 2018 has shown us that Nightly /is/ the light with “The Sound of Your Voice”. Elements ranging from acoustic to electronic in this EP show the versatility and inspiration that drive Nightly’s sound forward with every release. The style of production chosen for most of these tracks beautifully elevates the band- adding depth to their discography and leaving the fans they’ve gained this year wanting more. Nightly successfully split their time between writing and touring this year, and i can’t wait to see what they have to show us in 2019 on both of those ends once again.

Welcome Back - Handsome Ghost

This duo was one of the first artists I was introduced to this year, their live show ushering me into their then-unreleased record and surrounding me with music that I will never be able to forget. The juxtaposition between the orchestral arrangements, electronic percussion, and acoustic guitar give Handsome Ghost an edge on every other indie/folk band out there right now, and force this album to standalone in it’s very own genre. Essential tracks from this record like “Shallow City” and “beauty/bends” have made it into almost every playlist that I’ve made in 2018 (both for myself and others) and at this rate, will continue to do so into the new year.

Written by Ashton Carr

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Bad Suns @ The Observatory (Santa Ana, CA) by Ashton Carr

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Just Like Heaven Festival Favorites

Just Like Heaven Fest kicked off it’s very first year in spectacular fashion- Immediately selling out the 1 day festival’s tickets, requiring a 2nd day of the stacked lineup. I lucked out and snagged a ticket to the additional day, which allowed me to soak up not only the Long Beach sun, but the incredible music on display during the weekend. Here’s a few words about my favorite sets of the festival:

STRFKR

Having been a fan of STRFKR’s since my high school days, I was familiar with what their live show has promised over the years, and I am very glad to say that they delivered. Even those who may have never heard the band’s catalogue were found bouncing along to the entire(ly too short) set. As soon as the band walked out joined by volunteer astronaut dancers, the sun behind the stage was eclipsed by the fiery energy emanating from the music. Despite a few aliens being thrown into the crowd, no one felt like extraterrestrial outsiders in the masses of people dancing along to songs like “Bury Me Alive”, “Julius”, and a cover of “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”.

Miami Horror

The first artist I saw on my way into the festival was Australia’s own, Miami Horror. The band hadn’t performed in the States for a number of years and were welcomed back with one of the most excited crowds of the event. Despite playing under the early afternoon sun, they were able to shine their own light in the form of their bright, bouncy electronic music. Happiness seemed to radiate from the band and their special guest (Alan Palomo of Neon Indian) for every second of their 30 minute set, and I absolutely cannot wait to see them headlining shows on this side of the world sooner rather than later.

Neon Indian

After the taste of a performance earlier in the day, I was left counting down until the sunset just to see Neon Indian. A colorful mix of electronic music, pop, and some classic Latin flair greeted the young night’s eager ears. Old school presentation melded with new school style in every aspect of the group’s performance gives them the familiarity that lures in new listeners and holds the attention of the die-hard fans all the same. Out of all of the performances of the day, I think STRFKR and Neon Indian have to share the title for most enjoyable.

Greer

A bit of a stand out from the rest of the festival lineup, teen band Greer brought a bit of a crowd with them to Long Beach. With only 2 songs out and a handful of shows under their belt, they brought their surf rock sentiments to the mainly electronic pop festival and the cheers of some. That being said, they are one of my favorite up and coming bands in Southern California, and put on one hell of a performance for everyone who had never heard of them. This was my third time seeing the band, and will definitely not be my last.

Overall, Just Like Heaven was a success and I hope that the festival gets to live out at least a few more years in front of the Queen Mary. Here’s to hoping that future lineups will be just as fun as this year’s!

Written by Ashton Carr

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Interview with Hot Flash Heat Wave

Following the release of their latest EP, “Mood Ring” and their first full US headline tour, we got to chat with Hot Flash Heat Wave and ask them some song-inspired questions!

Floating - A lot of people describe that listening to music makes them feel like they’re floating. Is there a certain emotion or sensation that you want your music to evoke in those listening to it?

Every song evokes a different emotion so it really depends on the track, but usually it has a lot to do with what the meaning of the song is to me and how I want the lyrics to impact someone. A song can be sad, but have a happy melody so the meaning can have a kind of silver lining to it. The Beatles would do that all the time with their songs which has made a big impact on how we craft our tracks and present them to the listener.  

Head in the Clouds - Is there a particular headspace that you have to be in to write your music? Has it differed between your releases?

For me (Adam) I try to find a place in my mind where i’m having fun and experimenting. It’s kind of a flow that you can’t force, but you can cultivate through a healthy lifestyle or trying new things. Maybe one day you wake up early and go on a run and it puts you in the perfect mindset or maybe you wake up hungover at 1 pm and you just have this idea that you have to record. There’s many ways to find this place, but there’s never one way to get there and when you do get to that space it’s never exactly the same. Nick is just generally most productive when he’s in a good mood, and so he needs that as a prerequisite for writing. Ted typically needs to be feeling very inspired and motivated to express a specific emotion that he is hoping to evoke in the song.)

Glo Ride - What 3 songs are on your essential road trip playlist currently?

‘Nevermine’ by Forth Wanderers, ‘Maybe you’re the reason’ by The Japanese House, ‘New Magic Wand’ by Tyler, the Creator

Grapes - What sort of ‘fresh’ take do you think your latest release “Mood Ring” has brought to your live show?

‘Mood Ring’ has made our live set more dynamic. It gives us a chance to break up the rock n roll songs of our previous records with chiller, groovier, and more psychedelic sounds. On our headline tour in Feb/Mar this year we wrote the setlist so to cultivate a specific journey and arc through our music, where the energy ramps up and then ramps down, to people have time to catch a breath and a different vibe.

Sky So Blue - If you could describe your music as the ideal weather conditions for listening to it, what would they be and why?

Any kind of weather is good for listening to music in my opinion. Sunny days lend themselves to more upbeat and energetic songs, but also a dark and rainy day is great for a sad song or a love song where you could just curl up in your bed and blast some tunes.

Trust - Do you ever find your trust in your artistic abilities wavering while creating new music? How do you bring yourselves back to center when this happens?

Absolutely, but we have each other to help ground each other. We all have very similar songwriting sensibilities and a collective ear that we have cultivated over many years together as bandmates and friends and so at this point we feel pretty comfortable with each other and can trust the other bandmates for advice while we are going through a period of personal uncertainty.

Dreaming of U - What’s a dream you have for Hot Flash Heat Wave for the rest of 2019?

One dream we all have had that is coming true this fall is going to tour Europe. We can’t wait to go play our music outside the US and meet people in countries around Europe and the UK. Truly a blessing and a dream come true. Also that our next release turns out really good! We hope to grow our audience as well, so our music can reach more listeners and potentially impact their lives, as our past music has already done. That is one of the most rewarding aspects of this line of work.

Written by Ashton Carr

Photos by Allyssa Cornier

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Zelma Stone @ The Mint (Los Angeles, CA)

Photos by Ashton Carr

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Ashton and Aimee’s Spring Playlists

Now that Spring *coughsglobalwarmingcoughs* is upon us, Ashton and Aimee are bringing you 2 more seasonal song lists! Click the links on our names to open up our playlists on Spotify!

Ashton:

Field Medic - used 2 be a romantic

flor - slow motion

Lostboycrow - Stargazing with Patrick Bateman

Renny Conti - Some Kinda Love

COIN - I Want It All

Aimee:

Prince Kaybee, Shaun Dihoro - Wajellwa

Years & Years, MNEK - Valentino

Lily Allen - Come On Then

Emily Burns - Too Cool

Lizzo - Cuz I Love You

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Boy Pablo - Soy Pablo

Norway’s Youtube sweetheart, Boy Pablo, has returned with a brand new EP titled “Soy Pablo”. A slightly obvious but not overly-cohesive follow up to last year’s “Roy Pablo”, this EP really encompasses the energy that Boy Pablo brings to the stage in their live shows and shows even more of the fun, lovable sound they’re known to have.

Boy Pablo managed to create a lot of hype surrounding the release of this EP by posting a hotline for fans to call to hear a brand new track or even talk to the members of the project themselves. If you weren’t lucky enough to chat with the guys, you were greeted by the EP’s lead single “Feeling Lonely”. The opening track to the EP, glistening and sharp guitar melodies immediately hit you ears and make it nearly impossible to not shimmy along. Danceability is one of the things about Boy Pablo’s music that can be found and has been very obviously perfected in each of their songs.

“Limitado” is probably my favorite track from this release, as it stands out from the crowd with it’s slower tempo and more ambient attributes. Simplicity may just be the biggest strength that this song posses- Lyrics don’t take up the majority of the song, but the harmonies and textures created by the vocals help to bridge the verses and choruses together. Rainy, sleepy Sundays come to mind as the guitar rolls over you like the tide and washes away thoughts of anything but this track.

Although Boy Pablo is the poster-child for Spotify’s Bedroom Pop playlist, these guys truly thrive once they hop out of bed and onto the stage. A slew of North American headline shows this Summer have helped to concentrate the sound that the band has created over the past few years and released into the wild with “Soy Pablo”. After taking the stage at Tropicalia Festival later this year, Boy Pablo will be heading out on a tour around their home country before hopefully heading back to the States. Make sure to track them down on social media to keep up to date with everything they have coming up!

Written by Ashton Carr