music review – that lemon life

Moral Panic

Hola everyone.

How are you all doing today? I hope you’ve all had a nice weekend and that your Monday is going well so far. I for my part had a great, relaxing weekend with tons of sleep (thank god), which is something I really needed, so I’m super happy about that. To be honest, after the crazy busy days the past week, it felt good to finally put everything on hold for a second and just breathe for a bit. Part of a reason for that is, as I hinted at in my last post, that my friend Lauren and I really launched our own magazine called GEM (holy frick, that really happened, OH MY GOD). I gotta be honest, I still can’t believe that this is real and that we actually made it happen, especially as this has been such a big dream of mine for so many years. To say that this is an absolute dream come true would be an extreme understatement and I honestly can’t wait to share the whole story with all of you, so please stay tuned for my upcoming post on that.

But for today, I’ve actually got something different planned, something very exciting and something that is very close to my heart – the new Nothing But Thieves album. And no, I’m not being a bit overdramatic right now, because this album, without exaggeration, is my favourite album of the year, without a single doubt. I’m not saying this because I got to talk about it all with Conor, the band’s frontman, or because I’ve always loved this band to the moon and back. I’m really just talking about the music here, so please believe me when I say that this album truly is a freaking masterpiece from start to finish. It’s fun, it’s dark, it’s political and it’s a real rollercoaster all in one. And it’s just so so so important. But you get that really quickly once you take a closer look at the lyrics.

And so, as I’m so in love with this album and as I actually got to have an early listen of it, I’ve obviously had to write a little review of it for my magazine, which was published a few weeks ago, but which I’d still love to share with all of you amazing people today. It’s definitely one of my favourite pieces I’ve ever written, so I truly hope you enjoy it. Please let me know in the comments what you think of it, and the album too, obviously. And yeah, until then I hope you all love the album just as much as me, and, as always, I wish you all a lovely week and thanks for reading. x

Amid ‘Moral Panic’ – a Nothing But Thieves album review

In a world filled with uncertainty and destruction, almost nothing offers more inspiration as lively as the current events, and the British rockers of the acclaimed indie group Nothing But Thieves are no newbies to skilfully mixing politics, mental health issues, and social struggles with their own experiences and turning it all into magnificent songs. It comes to no surprise then that this is also how the group’s latest work, their third album ‘Moral Panic’, came to be. It’s an album that doesn’t shy away from spotlighting today’s world and its problems. The tension in the air. And all of us.

At its core, ‘Moral Panic’ acts as a mirror for all of us, for a society that has become too idealistic, too ‘Hollywood’ and too afraid to face its darker sides. The record’s opening track titled ‘Unperson’ quite literally personifies that, having lead singer Conor Mason cry out about the loss of himself, in a modern world where demand beats supply not only with material goods but with living, breathing people, making him question his identity while being convinced he’s an ‘unperson’, someone not fit for ‘public consumption’. The song screams of frustration of a youth being drowned out by a regressive ideology in a world where ‘is not what you think it is, it’s worse’.

It’s the beginning of a story that is continued in the band’s ultimate hit of this year ‘Is Everybody Going Crazy’, a song that could’ve not been released at any better moment, right when the world started to shut down in the midst of a global pandemic and toilet paper unexpectedly became a somewhat new currency. It’s a heavy-hitter that comes with its own dystopian edge, but also a sense of comfort that we might not be alone in these times of emotional struggle.

‘This is the last day of my life‘, grief-stricken words chanted by Mason, are what follow at the start of the next piece, the eponymous ‘Moral Panic’, a song that proves that Nothing But Thieves might have more trumps up their sleeves than what they make it seem. Packed with a captivating beat that almost resembles a dance hit, the track feels as light as it is heavy, with lyrics talking about a state of panic and anxiety, but a rhythm that makes it impossible not to move with it.

It is at that moment that the album turns onto a new page, one that is filled with hope and the discovery of love. Shining tracks ‘Real Love Song’, ‘Free If We Want It’ and the ever so enchanting ballad ‘Impossible’, which has only recently become an even bigger blessing to the ears as an orchestral version recorded live at the famous Abbey Road Studios, have the band repeatedly look behind the romantic, idealistic nature of love and reveal the unrequited or almost painful reality that many of us experience all too often. Hymnic and of terrific wildness, the songs sparkle with triumphant-euphoric melodies, which Mason performs with moving, almost operatic vocals, and grainy, addictive guitar riffs that help lead them to a perfect balance.

The biggest surprise of the album – and it might be seen as the heavy, guitar-based black sheep – comes with the album’s number 10, titled ‘Can You Afford To Be An Individual’. Usually, a band to embody their stories and experiences in metaphors, this almost scream-ish track has the group instantly get rid of all thoughts and hints of double-meanings, with Mason roaring ‘Oh, you are you a walking contradiction in a MAGA-hat’ and ‘So who are you to tell us where we do and don’t belong / And who are you to tell us who to love and who to not / Because your mother told you, you would win when you were young’. It is obvious that the song is addressed at Donald Trump, the 45th and current President of the United States, a political figure the band has expressed resentment towards on countless occasions, and the overall heated political climate. It is without a doubt the most daring track of the whole LP, but also the hardest one to not fall for, as it introduces a new side of the Southend-On-Sea-based five-piece that sparks a longing for more.

A ray of sunshine is what the closing piece ‘Before We Drift Away’ feels like then, with a strong classical base embedded in the background and Mason’s stunning voice sending a message so hopeful and personal that there could hardly be a better way of ending this album. With it, the whole record, which until that point had come with its own expiry date, suddenly gets a sense of infinity, like it will still be there long after this is all over and we are all gone.

It’s that mix of huge monstrous riffs, energetic, sometimes angry, sometimes loving lyrics and calmer, more reflective moments, all of which feel so beautifully connected, that brings ‘Moral Panic’ close to near faultless. There’s a sense of scale unrivalled by near enough any other release of this year, with astonishing lyricism, stunning vocals, and incredible musicianship that might just coin Nothing But Thieves as one of the most exciting and intriguing indie-rock bands out there. Born from a time that couldn’t be more uncertain, the quintet has created an expressive little work of art that urges listeners to engage with their own minds in order to bring a dash of positivity to a steadily darkening world. One that could not possibly need it any more than right now.

Nothing But Thieves third album ‘Moral Panic’ is out now everywhere via Sony/RCA.

Follow Nothing But Thieves on Instagram, Twitter and Spotify.

Text by: Laura Weingrill // photo credit: Jack Bridgeland

Live Music is Back (kinda)

Hola everyone.

And welcome back to a new post and a new week. I hope you’ve all had a great weekend and a fantastic Monday and that your Tuesday is going well so far. I, for my part, had a great weekend, which is partly thanks to the topic of today’s post that we’ve all gathered together for today. I’m here to share something very very very special with you guys and something that has made me more emotional and happier than quite a lot of stuff that’s happened the past few months. And yes, we’re talking about music. Good old live music. But let me start right at the beginning.

Those of you who’ve been following my blog for quite a while now will probably already know this, but for those of you who are new to this blog (welcome. thanks for being here.), let me tell you a fact about me. I freaking love Amber Run. And no, I’m not talking about some cool movie or a crazy online game, I’m talking about one of the best and most underrated bands of this current time. And this in itself could still be understood as a massive understatement. That’s how good these guys are. Last year in October, I had the absolute pleasure of not only seeing this crazily talented trio live for the first time, but also getting to interview them before their show in London. And let me tell you, they weren’t just three of the kindest and most grounded people I’ve ever met, but the overall night was one I will definitely never forget. The only way I can possibly describe the experience of seeing them live is by comparing it to stepping into pure musical heaven – check out the full review here. I mean, Joe, their lead singer, could sing me the alphabet and I’d quite certainly call that the best song of the century. It’s a voice I wish I could crawl into and surround myself with like a blanket. That’s what it feels like – a warm, cuddly blanket. And don’t even get me started on the other two guys, Tom (their uber-fantastic bassist) and Henry (the beast on the piano). All three of them singing together and harmonizing the way they do is what true heaven must sound like, for sure.

Okay, so, that’s Amber Run. I love them. I think you got that. But let me get to the point why we are really here today. This talented indie group just gave me the chance to attend my first concert ever since the Corona hell broke loose – but in a different way you would probably expect. Actually, I was meant to see them live in May, but thanks to the pandemic it fell flat. And in order to reconnect to their fans, the guys decided to still put on their show, just a bit differently than they are usually used to. Because instead of a crowd, there were cameras in the room with them and instead of being there with them, I was sitting on my couch at home. Sounds weird, but that’s what concerts look in 2020. And still, it was a concert, and every time I closed my eyes, I imagined myself there at Omeara with them and the feeling that gave me is indescribable.

During all these weeks and months without being able to attend gigs and without live music, I’ve been feeling like a part of myself, a part of my soul, has been ripped off me, like I haven’t been complete anymore. Which figures, as gigs are literally my life. There isn’t a place on earth where I feel happier than when I’m standing in the middle of a crowd, music blaring through the speakers and one of my favourite bands smiling down at me from the stage. That’s my kind of heaven. The heaven I’ve been missing more than anything else ever since our world got hurled into utter chaos. So when I saw that Amber Run would be doing a real gig, at a real concert venue in London and streaming it live to everyone’s homes, I felt like I had got some part of that heaven back. Suddenly I was able to buy a real ticket for a real concert again, have something I could get excited for, something I could count down the days for.

In a weird sense and despite not really being able to attend the concert in a way I would nearly do anything for right now, the show gave me something back I had been missing for so long. The happiness I can only ever experience while listening to live music, while being at a live show. Obviously, the streamed show can’t really hold up against the show I got to attend in October, but it’s the closest to a live gig any band has brought me to the past few months and for that I’m eternally grateful. Naturally, that is also because of the guys’ phenomenal talent that only seems to grow and improve over time. My parents watched the show together with me and I think my mum fell just as much in love with them as I did while seeing them live for the first time. Thankfully, we both still have our tickets for their unplugged show in December, which I’m hoping won’t have to be rescheduled again, and I seriously cannot wait for this special evening to finally come around.

And I know you’re probably thinking that live-streamed gigs can never be the same as actual live gigs, and I couldn’t agree more, but that show on Sunday also made me rethink my opinion a little. Obviously, it wasn’t the same, but I haven’t felt the excitement of going to a concert in so long and that show gave me parts of that back. For example, when they suddenly started playing ‘The Weight’, which is easily one of their most heartfelt and beautiful songs and one I discovered and fell in love with after seeing them live, I nearly jumped off the couch and shouted OH MY GOD THEY’RE ACTUALLY PLAYING THAT SONG!!!!!????!?! And whether that moment happened at home while watching a stream or live at an actual gig, that kind of shock and happiness I felt right in that moment would have always been the same. Even more so when Joe suddenly started singing a new, yet to be released song titled ‘I Hope It’s Not Like This Forever’ (very fitting for the current time), which I’ve still got stuck in my head.

What that show made me feel even through a screen is proof for the fact that music always has and always will find a way through all the hardships that will come its and our way. It will always be stronger than that and will always reunite us. Always. And I’ll always be in love with it. And Amber Run. Simply for making me feel at home when I’ve felt lost for so long.

So yeah, and that’s that. Here’s a very loving and very excited review of my first concert after four long months. I will honestly be forever thankful for Amber Run putting up this show and letting me experience live music again. I hope you enjoyed reading all about my experience and if you check the guys out, which you really should, I hope you fall just as much in love with them as I did – you can follow them on twitter and Instagram or listen to them on Spotify or YouTube. Please don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts and comments down below. And until then I wish you all a great week and, as always, thanks for reading. x

thatlemonlife presents: LEMON – the magazine

Hola everyone.

How are all my lovely readers doing? Oh my god, it feels like I haven’t been on here and talked to you for ages. I’m so incredibly sorry for the long long silence. You can probably guess why I couldn’t find the time to really post anything… yes, you’re right, good old uni work, innit? But as of Tuesday last week, I am finally free again and also done with my second year at BIMM. Which still sounds so insane to me. I can’t believe I’m already done with my second year and only have one year left to go. Time just flew by, my god.

But actually, now that I’m finally back, uni stopping me from posting anything on here is more fun than anything, as it is also the reason for me coming back and for today’s post. Because as most of you have probably seen from the title of this post, I want to present you with something today that is probably one of the most special and most meaningful projects of mine that I ever got to share with you guys. And it’s all thanks to uni. Never thought I’d ever say that, but here we are. Thanks, BIMM. But let’s not spend more time talking around it, but let’s get right to it. I proudly present to you – my very first own music, arts and lifestyle magazine LEMON. Can you hear me screaming in excitement?

Okay, I know, this is super exciting, and, please believe me, I’m more than on the edge of my seat now that I finally get to share it with you. But first, let me tell you how we got here. As I already mentioned, this is all thanks to my university, which made me fall in love with design and specifically magazine design and now for my end project of our ‘Making Magazines’ course had me design and write a complete 16-pages magazine. I know you’re probably thinking what a crazy and difficult task, but out of all my courses, this was one was definitely the one that I enjoyed the most.

And actually, the whole idea for LEMON began right here, on this very blog. Because in a nutshell, the magazine is a paper version of this very blog – without the sometimes way too personal oversharing and babbling around. From the start, my goal was to translate the feel of this blog, its ambiance, its style, and its fun and passionated character to the magazine and create a paper that is just as sweet, creative, and interesting. Obviously, the look was also just as important and, for me as a perfectionist, also the part I worked on the most and hardest. I think in total I worked on it for about three months, which made it possible for me to create a magazine that I couldn’t be any more proud of. And I even got to include my obsession and love for Twenty One Pilots (I just had to, sorry not sorry). And yes, I’m probably prouder of that than I should be, but I got to put Brad Heaton, the ultimate photographic genius, into the spotlight and my favourite band at the same time and even put Ty on the cover, so I can only see this as the biggest achievement ever.

Overall, creating this mag has probably been one of the most fun things I’ve ever done and I couldn’t be happier to share it with you, so without further ado, here it is. My magazine LEMON. I hope you enjoy it. Or even love it.

Omg, this is just so exciting. I honestly hope you enjoy/enjoyed my magazine. As already mentioned, all the design was done by me and all the articles and pieces you can find on the pages were also written by myself. Unfortunately, Brad wasn’t available for an interview, so I had to use some quotes from past interviews and his reddit q&a for my feature on him, but I don’t think that lessened the quality of the piece in any way. His pictures with their magic and striking beauty are the highlights anyway.

Again, I truly hope you enjoy the mag just as much as I do. This is my first attempt at creating my own magazine and now that I can literally hold it in my hands, it feels like another path for me has opened itself up. It has definitely become a project for me that I want to come back to in the future. Maybe, one day, LEMON will be a real magazine one day and waiting for you to pick it up from the store. How crazy does that sound? Even just the thought makes my tummy fill with butterflies. But until then, here’s the very first version of this super special paper. I’d love to hear your opinions and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to leave them down below. And, of course, I hope you’re all doing great and feeling well and I wish you all the loveliest week. And as always, thanks for reading. x

New Music Friday

Hola everyone.

How are you all doing today? All enjoying the beautiful weather we’ve been blessed with the past days? Because I definitely have. Actually, I’ve caught myself thinking I’m already on my summer break more than once, which just shows how 1. long I’ve been at home already and 2. how good the weather has been. And I’m not sure whether I like that or not, because, you know, climate change and all that. I guess all of us staying at home is probably the best thing that could’ve happened to the environment right now. I hope once this virus crisis is finally over, everyone’s going to try and fight climate change just as aggressively as we’re all currently fighting this asshat Corona. Our beautiful planet deserves it.

I know, I just made a huge detour and got completely off-topic. I haven’t even presented today’s post and what it’s going to be all about yet. But I guess you all saw the title of the post, so here’s the probably weirdest way of announcing another fantastic edition of “New Music Friday”. In a nutshell, all of these songs have been with me during this hell of a crazy time and have kept me on the bright side of things. They’ve pulled me up when I was feeling down on another “what festival got canceled today”-day. They put a smile on my face when it seemed like everything was going more than wrong. And they gave a normal, plain day that little extra to become a highlight. So I’m more than excited to share all of these with you. I hope you love them just as much as me. Please enjoy.

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OK – Wallows

Well, who would’ve thought I’d ever get this addicted to this band and get to call them one of my favourite bands right now? Definitely not me when I first heard ‘Pictures Of Girls’ two years ago. But here I am now, deep down in an intense obsession with Wallow’s newest track called ‘OK’, which couldn’t be any more perfect to listen to while the world outside is literally getting turned on its head – which has basically been happening the past two months. So, in a nutshell, it’s definitely the most perfect song for quarantine and if you haven’t listened to it yet, you should definitely check it out ASAP. Also, Dylan’s blue hair looks amazing and I’m kinda jealous that he can actually pull it off.

Feels So Nice – The Wrecks

I mean, I’ve already dedicated a whole post to the new album of this super amazing indie-rock group from the US, but here we are again because sharing The Wrecks’ new stuff with you all once just isn’t enough (see the first post here). ‘Feels So Nice’ right here has been an absolute favourite of mine ever since it got released and so far I haven’t been able to get it out of my head, so here you have it too, so we’re all in this boat together. Please give it a listen, it’s phenomenal.

Level Of Concern – Twenty One Pilots

I think you and me both know that I don’t really have to introduce this band nor to explain why their newest hit ‘Level of Concern’ is part of this list (see the original post about the song right here). My boys went and created the number one song for quarantine and nobody can tell me otherwise. Also, Ro is in the video, so it can’t really be beaten by any other music video out there. And, because I only just heard the news today – huge congrats to Josh and Debby for getting married when we all knew they did. I’m honestly super happy for them. If you give the video a shot, try to spot Josh’s ring. Another huge giveaway.

The Key to Life on Earth – Declan McKenna

I’m going to be honest, whenever I put this song on at home, my parents look at me as if I had just started to play some cringy Austrian folk music or something on that level of crappy. And, to be real, I still don’t get how they’re not overly in love with this song. Declan has always been an important part of my ‘favourite songs’-playlist and I’m super happy to share this new record with all of you. Not only because the track is more than great, but also because the video can only be described as art in itself – I mean, just look at it. Go on.

Black Licorice – Peach Pit

Do you know those days when you just feel like everything’s going all wrong and you’re just not meant to be in a certain place? Moments when you feel like you’re not really wanted or needed? A bit like black licorice? Well, if yes, then this song right here is perfect for you, because it’s about those exact moments, but instead of pulling you down, it’s a beautiful piece of music that can be enjoyed not just when you feel a bit down, but also when you feel like anything but black licorice. That’s how magnificent the song is right here. I applaud you, Peach Pit.

Is Everybody Going Crazy? – Nothing But Thieves

I’m not going to lie, I couldn’t describe the past two months in any better words than the title of this song does even if I wanted to. Because that’s just how it’s been and somehow Nothing But Thieves managed to write a song way way way before the actual crisis which couldn’t fit it any better. Imagine that? You write a song a year before an event that makes it seem like you just wrote that same song for that exact moment. And then on top of that, the song turns out to be freaking awesome. How cool is that?

I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again – Mura Masa ft. Clairo

I think every good music playlist needs a nice EDM-ish song in the midst of it, so here is mine for this month. This time, happily presented to you by the amazing Mura Masa featuring Clairo. To cut it short, the track is incredibly fun to listen to and always manages to pull me up and get me hyped whenever I need it the most and I hope it does the same for you.

Cinnamon – Hayley Williams

Last but certainly not least, here’s is once again my favourite female singer, the one and only Hayley Williams with my favourite song of her recently released solo album ‘Petals for Armor’. This song is literally the coolest womanhood anthem I’ve ever heard and it makes me feel at peace with myself and connected to my feminity in such a cool way that my appreciation for this track hasn’t found its end yet. Also, the music video for it is absolutely baffling and I still have a lot of questions. Well freaking done, Hayley.

And there it is, guys, this is it for this month’s ‘New Music Friday’. I hope you enjoyed/enjoy listening to the songs as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. I’d really love to hear your opinions and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to leave them down below in the comment section. And until then, I wish you all a super lovely weekend, hope you’re doing well and, as always, thanks for reading. x

Infinitely Ordinary

Hola everyone.

And welcome back to another Friday and another end of the week. How are you guys? I hope you’ve had a good week, despite the current circumstances, and that you’re looking forward to the weekend. Also, guess what guys? I went outside today… without any reason. I know, what a shocker. And you know why? Because the quarantine here in Austria is officially over and I’m finally free to leave the house whenever I want. Weheeeeeee. I can’t believe it. It makes me so incredibly happy that we’ve already reached that point here, but also sad because the UK is still doing so bad and I have no idea when I’ll be able to fly back. I remember after I had left London, I told my mum that we should immediately fly to the first country that was doing well again, where life had gone back to normal. And now we already are in that country. Oh, the irony. But oh well, I’m glad I’m home, no matter what.

Thankfully, music has kept me calm and collected throughout this madness and has brought me a lot of highlights and happiness. Just like today. Because today, after what felt like an eternity, The Wrecks finally released their debut album and I can’t even put into words how happy I am that it’s finally in this world.

I’m not going to lie, I might be a bit biased when it comes to this band. Their song Favorite Liar was my most listened track of 2017 and even other years included it’s still high on top. So when I heard that they were about to release an album, I could only just about contain my excitement. And a debut album as well. I don’t know why, but I feel like debuts always have this unique touch of excitement and newness. There’s nothing like a first album, the first time a band really gets to show and present its talent in its full colours. And today is the day The Wrecks finally get to show us who they are. And I swear, they didn’t disappoint. Very much the opposite, to be honest. Because Infinitely Ordinary is even better than I had imagined.

First of all, the probably most unique aspect of the album is that every song sounds different. I’m not gonna go into much detail, because I’m a strong believer that you can spoil an album just as much as you can spoil a movie and I definitely don’t want to spoil this fun rollercoaster of an album for anyone. So I’m going to keep the overall tracks and what they sound like a secret. All I’m gonna say is that they all sound phenomenal and that the debut couldn’t have been a better one. It’s an album that lights up the rainy day when you’re stuck inside with nowhere to go. It’s an album that makes you think of Californian beaches and the ease that comes with being young and free. And it’s album that reminds you that there’s always something to look forward to, even if it’s just a nice piece of music.

I know that a lot of bands have decided to postpone their albums due to the current situation, which I totally understand. Still, I’m insanely happy that The Wrecks decided against that and went on to release their album as planned. Because the world might not be able to go to music stores now and get physical copies of songs and albums, but I think especially now we’ve got even more time on our hands to listen to some good music. And Infinitely Ordinary is no exception to that. It was definitely worth the wait and I already can see myself playing this over and over again. Naturally, this also means that I can’t recommend it enough to you guys. I swear you won’t regret giving it a listen. These boys really deserve all the attention they are receiving and I can’t wait to watch them grow bigger and bigger in the upcoming months. And hopefully come to Europe so I can finally see them live. I sure damn will be standing in the front row, waiting to hear this masterpiece of an album live. And until then it will stay as a staple of my quarantine playlist and hopefully of yours as well.

And there you go, guys. This is today’s music recommendation from yours truly. I hope you enjoy the album just as much as me. And if you want to find out more about the guys, here are their Spotify and Instagram accounts. If you give them a listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. And until then I wish you all a lovely weekend and hope that you’re doing good. And, as always, I’m sending you the tightest hugs and thanks for reading. x

“Rock with Horns”

Hola everyone.

Looks like we’ve reached another Friday yet again. To be honest, I’m surprised I still know what day it is. They seem to blend into each other the past weeks. But here I am once again, sitting in front of my laptop, thinking about what to write about today. And I know it might not sound like that, but this simple act of typing something up to share with you guys is one of the things that have been keeping me afloat. It gives me a sense of structure and responsibility. I might not be able to the cinema or meet my friends, but I’m still able to talk to all of you and I can’t even put into words how much I appreciate that. So here I am, once again.

Okay, and now let’s talk business. I know I’ve hinted at it already a few weeks ago, but today the time has finally come for me to share the fantastic interview I did with the uber-amazing band HUNNY. If you’ve been following me and my blog for a while, you will probably already know who these very special boys are. In a nutshell – they make crazy good music, I was super excited to finally meet them and you should definitely read the interview and then give them a listen. You won’t regret it, I promise. And so, without further ado, here’s our little chat. I hope you enjoy it.

“Rock with Horns”

Going to a concert of the Californian band HUNNY is a very special experience. They meet all the criteria for the perfect indie band: charismatic with a touch of rogue, a frontman who turns the stage into his dance floor, a flawless shredder on the guitar, a synth magician, and a funky bass player. That’s why it’s fairly easy to be obsessed with HUNNY, consisting of Jason Yarger (vocals), Jake Goldstein (guitar), Joey Anderson (drums) and Kevin Grimmett (bass, keyboards) – these LA rockers are absolute favorites: young, passionate and full of sugar. I met the humorous guys for an interview before their sold-out show at Shepherd’s Bush in London and talked to them about their current tour, the production of their newest album, and the fight for authenticity in the music business.

How did your band start off?

Jake: Same old story. Some old story. We’ve just all known each other forever. Jason and I lived together in a house and then everybody started to come to us and hang out and then this band happened.

Joey: Pretty boring origin story. Nobody got bitten by a radioactive spider or anything.

How would you describe your band to someone who doesn’t know you?

Kevin: If you mean an older person, like a boomer, then we’re a rock band, they wouldn’t understand anything else. But when we’re talking to someone who knows what we’re about, we do alternative rock.

Jason: I don’t like that one though. It’s so broad to say that. I never know how to describe us.

Jake: We make rock with horns.

What do you dislike most about your job and what do you love most?

Jake: The industry behind music sucks. But that’s also the thing that allows us to play shows like tonight. Venues are only open because people buy tickets and drinks and come to concerts. That is also the catch 22. I wish every show could be five pounds, but unfortunately, that wouldn’t work.

Jason: Speaking of catch 22, tour is the worst and best part. It’s tough, but it’s also the greatest time. When we played a small gig recently, there were two girls from Japan at the show who go to school here in London. So they came from Japan and are here in England and we are also here and we are all very far from home and connected by this one thing, by the music. That’s really cool.

How does your production process work?

Jason: Basically, we sit around the laptop and play around with melodies and rhythms until it sounds cool. We don’t really jam with all our instruments in one room, because then everyone just worries about what they do personally. Because you feel like you have to add something even if the song doesn’t need it. That’s why we prefer to sit together and talk about what we have to add to a track instead of everyone doing something just to do something.

From your album cover to your merch, everything you do looks really nice. I assume aesthetics mean a lot to you?

Jake: Yeah, we have a hand in pretty much everything. Jason designs our merch and album art and in general, we talk about our visuals a lot. It’s definitely something we actively talk about and think about.

Me: Do you think that will ever change?

Jason: I’m too much of an asshole to let anybody else make any of our art for us. So probably not. I have a very tight grip on things sometimes.

Joey: He rules with an iron fist.

What does the contact to your fans mean to you?

Jake: That’s the most important thing. It’s our favourite ethos – we come from loving DIY bands and punk bands, where the whole idea is the connection of the fans being a part of the greater thing that is the band. The fact that they have such a strong bond with our music and want to share their art and ideas with us means that they are as invested in the band as we are, if not even more. That means a lot to us.

How do you try to stand out from the endless mass of bands?

Jason: I think we try by not trying. As lame as that may sound.

Joey: Being genuinely ourselves is going to make us stand out. Trying to be anything else will only make us look like doofuses.

Jake: Absolutely true. Those are the things in music that cut through right now. Things that feel genuine, that are authentic, that’s all people want. To know that something is real.

What does music mean to you?

Kevin: I think it’s everything. It’s style, the way you act, everything.

Jason: Music took over my life when I was ten years old. It’s quite literally absolutely everything in my entire life right now. I was up on a night drive with our tour manager in the states a while ago and we were talking about how insane it is that some people are not like that. Obviously, everybody is different but it’s so crazy that it’s literally the only thing I can think about. It’s made me homeless and happy and depressed and everything in my entire life revolves around it.

Jake: It has to mean a lot to you to give it a go like we are.

Jason: Tell Rolling Stone my last words were I dig music.

HUNNY’s new album “Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes” is available everywhere now. In short – you should definitely give these guys a listen right now – here are their Spotify and Instagram accounts -, they’re too good to miss out on them. And until then, I hope you all enjoyed this interview and wish you all a fantastic weekend. I hope you’re all doing good and getting through the quarantine okay. We’ll get through this together, I promise. If any of you need to talk, I’m here. And, as always, I’m sending you all the tightest hugs and thanks for reading. x