Frantic Romantic has etched their title into the curb of the Sundown Strip, not with brash declarations however with regular sparks of authenticity and instinctive showmanship. On this interview, the Hollywood-based outfit opens up about their transition from San Jose to the center of LA’s most iconic rock hall, the place levels just like the Viper Room, the Troubadour and Whisky A Go Go have change into a part of their common rotation.
They focus on the electrical cost of sharing these rooms with crowds who reside for the second, their evolving Cyberpunk-tinged aesthetic, and the curious scenes and strangers they’ve encountered alongside the way in which. From a baby’s first gig in Tijuana to run-ins with LA business figures, it’s clear their rise has been something however atypical. For a candid glimpse right into a band that thrives on momentum, reflection and chaos in equal measure, learn the total interview.
Welcome to A&R Manufacturing unit, Frantic Romantic, and congratulations on making waves on the Sundown Strip — it’s at all times a pleasure to talk to artists who’re genuinely embedded within the scene they’re shaping.
You’ve made the leap from San Jose to Hollywood and hit iconic venues just like the Viper Room and the Troubadour. What’s stunned you most concerning the reside scene since making that transfer?
Rising up within the Bay Space, it was quite common for us all to dunk on Los Angeles and/or Southern California typically. It was usually simply the tradition up there. Having been down right here in LA for a while now, I believe we are able to all agree that there’s an undercurrent of, for lack of higher phrases, magic to Los Angeles, and particularly to sure elements of Hollywood and its surrounding areas. You are feeling it once you’re on the Sundown Strip enjoying a present on a Saturday evening, or driving down Highland Avenue early within the morning earlier than rehearsal, or hitting up Canter’s or the Rainbow Room at like 2am after you’ve performed a present.
Breaking into the Sundown Strip circuit is not any small feat. Has enjoying these legendary venues modified the power of your performances or the way you strategy your setlists?
It’s arduous to not geek-out once you see your title on the marquee for a spot like Viper Room or Troubadour. I bear in mind being a youngster and dreaming of enjoying these locations. Seeing them in motion pictures, or listening to about them in biographies. There’s a particular power to them. There’s a way that you just’re with a crowd that enjoys being out, and enjoys being part of this second you get to share with them.
You’ll quickly be hitting the stage at Whisky A Go Go, which has a popularity for internet hosting acts on the point of one thing massive. Any nerves, or are you taking all of it in stride?
Each particular person within the band handles the ritual a bit in a different way. I have a tendency to not actually take into consideration any of it till I’m truly there, after which for the couple of hours earlier than the present, I are likely to get actually nervous. The second we go on stage and the set begins, any type of fear, expectation, actually any exterior emotions in any respect simply go away me. I believe that’s why I take pleasure in doing reveals within the first place… one of many few events the place I can simply be within the second.
Touring inevitably introduces you to all kinds of characters. Have any encounters with fellow bands, venue workers or scenesters left a long-lasting impression on you, whether or not hilarious, unusual or unexpectedly healthful?
There was a present we performed in Tijuana, Mexico, as soon as, and after our gig, a dad got here as much as us along with his son, who should’ve been perhaps 5 or 6 years previous. This was his first live performance ever. The child was actually excited and received a replica of our album. All of us autographed it, and I leaned down and gave the child a excessive 5 and thanked him for popping out. That actually meant the world to me.
As a band based mostly in Hollywood now, do you are feeling a strain to match the town’s picture, or are you extra targeted on holding onto your roots and letting the music communicate for itself?
There’s by no means been a dialog between the members of the band to match any picture that might make us extra Hollywood. We do assume visually about music, and narratively, and it’s naturally molded over time into this sort of Retro Future, Cyberpunk aesthetic. For instance, I wakened at some point compelled to search out myself a turquoise leather-based jacket… so I made it my life’s mission to search out one till lastly, three months later, I used to be in a position to find one.
Your band title, Frantic Romantic, instantly paints an image. The place did the moniker come from, and the way do you are feeling it displays your sound or ethos?
Earlier than 2018, we have been Skyway View, which was a venture our guitarist, Ruben, had since perhaps 2009, and the title had been thought up by a earlier member. Once I first met Ruben, I used to be in one other band, and he was in Skyway View. I ultimately dissolved the band I used to be in and joined his band. Flashforward to 2018, and the tone and magnificence of our band have been already there, however we felt the title now not match what we have been doing. By that point, it had change into clear that Ruben and I had change into the 2 principal members, so the mentality behind the title “Frantic Romantic” was to have a phrase that described Ruben’s writing with a phrase that described mine. Ruben, being the romantic one, it was a no brainer. Me, being the manic one, we ultimately settled on “Frantic.”
You talked about it’s beginning to really feel like a film, which undoubtedly tracks with the venues you’re enjoying and the tempo you’re preserving. Should you needed to choose a scene out of your current tour life that felt fully surreal, what wouldn’t it be?
Can’t say an excessive amount of about who is concerned with this, however we’ve had our share of individuals courting the band, whether or not they be producers, managers, labels, and so forth. The conversations, as I write this, are ongoing. All I can say is at all times watch out, and have an leisure lawyer prepared that you may belief. Mark has saved us from a number of doubtlessly band-killing situations. As well as, I’ve met and befriended musicians who I solely knew from their precise data, and right here they’re simply in Hollywood and part of the scene.
Stream Frantic Romantic on Spotify and join with the artist on Instagram.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast