This series of blogs is called IN PASSING, and in it I'll be interviewing bands/artists I love and trying to shed further light (in the small ways I can) on their music to give anyone who may come across this a reason to listen to them. I want to focus on smaller music that deserves more attention than it gets. All blogs in this series will include an unabridged (yet, slightly edited) interview with the artists and a small write-up from me. As always, send music, shows, suggestions for artist interviews, and anything ever that you want to talk about or see covered to [ fosterhildingmusic@gmail.com ] or DM me on Instagram.
 |
| photos stolen from the internet. |
AB: Hello #FEBNATION, coming back with more bullshit.
What is the story of Febuary?
A: So, it started as Rila, Abby, and Steph jamming in like 2023. We were all there. We were all hanging out at that time. I was in Dreaming Maria at that time, and I remember being really jealous of them because I thought their band was way cooler than mine. And it was. It was way cooler. They were just starting out, too, and I knew that they were way sicker. They played their first show in Ontario with Clay Birds and onewaymirror. Dreaming Maria played that show, too.
By the next show, I was in the band. That was at The Haven in Pomona. I was just so excited for my friends to be doing really cool stuff and I wanted to join in on them. I asked to play bass. I started writing bass to all their songs and I realized that Steph is a way better bassist than me--like miles better, so I started writing stuff on guitar. I think the first song we wrote with me on guitar was I'd Rather Burn Than Fall. I'm pretty sure it was that. That's how that's how it kind of came to be.
AB: Yeah, I think that it's so funny. The first one was I'd Rather Burn Than Fall because I remember when you joined the band we obviously had a specific sound and we really didn't want to change anything or do what a lot of bands do and go hardcore, like fucking panic chords and shit like that. We were like, "Airon, you got to keep that female energy," and then we wrote I'd Rather Burn and that's one of my favorite songs off the album, I think it's just such a Febuary sound, you know. And he did so beautifully. We knew that he was going to kill that shit. But, it honestly was all about keeping that female energy, too. That's what I think we strive on, is doing it for the girls, so the girls know that that's what that is about.
What brought you back and what keeps you all together?
AB: Our friendship.
R: The friendship. The magic of friendship, like My Little Pony.
A: That is the main thing. Yeah.
AB: I think what was so special about this band, and I've said this in interviews before is that we didn't make it off of, you know, "Oh we need a good bassist and we need a vocalist and we need two guitarists." We literally were all just really good friends and hanging out and jamming together was so natural to the point where Steph was lowkey the first one to do vocals between the three of us, and her ass was screaming, singing, not a care in the world. We were like, "Wait, this sounds so good." I think it's just that comfortability that we all have with each other, even on stage, too. You can just feel that energy. That was a big reason why we wanted to get back together as well because, band aside, the energy that we all have has impacted all of our lives so much that... We were literally all going through it when we weren't friends. I swear. We were at the lowest we'd ever been and we just knew that not having each other in our lives just wasn't worth it compared to what we have when we are together and we all are at our best type shit.
A: I think it really is hard to find people that you're really good friends with but who also share the same artistic and musical drive as you. It took me a while to find that with bands and stuff. I've been in multiple other bands and I've never felt this compelled, or I've never wanted to do it this bad than with these guys, honestly.
How do you prepare for your shows? How do you feel after?
R: We've got to get food after. That's what I keep looking forward to after and just hanging out with everyone. I don't think we really prep. At least I don't, but we just have a little pep talk. I mean, "We're going to do so good. We're going to kill it. And then let's go get pizza after."
AB: I know I always am like, "We got to play like this is our last time." I'm the corny one. That's what makes me power through, even when it's 150 degrees and the crowd is not one that one would typically enjoy, you got to think like, "This really could be our last show." Because when we broke up, our last show was Home To Heart, but we didn't even know it at the time. I just remember being so disappointed because I really took that for granted. Now, I think just preparing is keeping that feeling in mind. We're literally back, we're doing this and we have this platform. Go out there and kill it, bitches. And then we go kill it.
R: The moment we're on stage and looking at each other, it all just clicks and we go into this other world where no one else is and we're all looking at each other like...
AB: The eye contact is crazy.
R: It's fun.
What are new things you find to stay inspired and outside of the box? How do you deal with lulls or blocks when writing?
A: I think I take inspiration from everywhere. It's not strictly from music. I'm trying to read more and even the experiences we all have together as a band really influence me to do better and show to whoever that we're doing this shit. Whether you like it or not, we're going to keep doing it. That's what keeps me going and what keeps me inspired to keep doing everything. If you play in a band, your only inspiration for writing music and writing lyrics should not be other music. If it's just that, you're kind of missing the point. I really feel like that.
R: Life, just life. Everything it throws you, you got to use it, because if you don't, fuck is you doing with your life?
A: Our other band, Julliette! Has a Gun got in a car crash, and I remember we all piled out of the car.
R: Airon immediately went into his notes.
A: "Ugh it smells like car crash, dude." And I wrote it down. Literally the weight of seatbelts in my chest because I felt it.
R: He was in the front seat. He almost died, ho.
AB: Airon be getting these crazy ass pieces of media like books or fucking sleep sounds and he's like, "Dude, we should do something like this." Bro heard the fucking soundtrack to Midsommar and was like, "Bro, we need to do some shit like the score." And I'm like, "Okay, bet."
A: Dude, I have a personal inspo playlist on my Spotify and it's like chainsaw sounds and weird choir shit. And what I do is, I'll also go on to YouTube and you can type in "IMG" and then four random numbers and you get a bunch of videos with zero views. You get like choirs of little kids and shit. It's cool.
AB: Yeah, Airon's weird. Airon's a freak.
A: Little freakazoid.
S: Yeah, Airon likes eating mold, like deadass, Foster.
AB: Loves mold.
R: That's what keeps him inspired.
S: When we released this new EP, check the lyrics out. There's there's a mold like... something's in there. You'll see.
AB: It all started with bleu cheese.
A: And no one knows besides them and you now, Foster.
And now the world.
AB: #FEBNATION no... put a like in the chat if you like bleu cheese.
What is one band, artist, or album that changed the way you thought about music?
AB: The Lazarus Plot. That's also because it's one of the first pieces of emo music, but also screamo and it was a female and she was doing spoken words, too, it's just like she's literally talking to only me. I was like, "Oh my god, I need to do something like this." Before then I was so used to more happy, formulated beats with a chorus and a bridge and, you know, a structured type of song. But, that got me into real crazy shit, you know, like explosive emo.
S: I think mine was lowkey early Gorillaz because it broadened in the horizons, not just for music, but the physicality that music can become. That's a totally different thing with art and music videos and characters. It's not just music, you know, it's a whole different world.
R: I'm thinking of two. Probably Paramore and Avril Lavigne because I'm circling back and I'm listening to only that. I just remember when I was younger, I would watch all their music videos and be like, "God, these girls are just so badass and they're rock stars and I love everything they write about and maybe I could do this." It was just cool looking up to girl rock stars, like that was lit and they're fire. And I love Paramore.
A: I think, for me, it's iwrotehaikus. That's one of my favorite bands ever and they're really, really important to me.
What do you think this kind of niche brand of music gives you that other music might not?
R: Self expression. I mean, you're literally screaming and the best bands ever, the best live sets ever are where they're literally just being fucking crazy and not caring and everybody likes it. I don't think there's any other genre that can give you that--where these teenage kids are crying on the floor and throwing things and tackling each other and everyone is just so emotional. I think that's the best thing. You're not just sitting there being bored. It's almost like church. I feel like shows are like church, like everyone's worshiping and you almost are going to a higher power. It's crazy.
AB: Steph is saying she gets PTSD from church.
S: Sometimes. No, I'll just be like, "Oh man. No."
R: Our religious trauma is so real, though.
AB: A big theme that we had for our second EP and just how we want to portray ourselves in general is just being human and embracing that. I think that's just such an awesome thing that we get to do with this type of music, specifically, is being able to express whatever that is to us, whatever that means, being human, because that's such a personal thing to everyone. It's so easy to express it with how we write our music just as any other band, like they have their sound and stuff and that's them expressing themselves. I think that's just such a special thing that you get with this genre, specifically, is how everyone chooses to do it. It's just so cool. It's just a representation of them, you know.
A: Sort of relating to what Abby was saying, but I think a really big thing in any form of art that should mean something to anyone is: there needs to be a level of vulnerability. You need to be able to get out there and put yourself in front of others for people to care about your art. I think a lot of people and a lot of bands and artists, not to dunk on anyone of course, put on a sort of facade. But, the most powerful art to me is art that is so vulnerable. Like Black Country, New Road. Isaac Wood quit because he didn't expect the band to blow up and those lyrics are so personal to him. I think that's why a lot of people are able to relate to it.
S: I just like the illegality of it. It feels so wrong, but it's so right in a way where, you know, all these rebellious kids and people who are looked at differently get to express themselves in a way where, you know, other artists don't push it. They're not inspiring others to feel a certain way and release a bunch of emotion. You see it in the crowds, you see it in the bands, it's everywhere, it's not just one or the other where people are watching someone express themselves on stage. Everyone else is doing it as well with moshing or whatever they're doing. It's just cool to be a part of that and we're glad to be a part of that and see it. We're about to see it every day and that's a blessing.
A: One of the biggest compliments and the coolest thing someone could say to us is like, this big fucking, tough-looking dude coming up to us and being like, "Dude, I cried during your set." It's the best thing. I'm so happy that we're giving you a space to feel comfortable enough to express how you feel. Your emotions.
How are you guys feeling about the tour?
AB: Excited to see you, buddy. It's gonna be so awesome. Really excited.
A: I'm excited to be on the road with my friends and see all of our other friends out of state. Super happy about that. It's really a blessing, honestly.
R: I'm excited, but I'm also kind of sad. I'm excited because I'm gonna make so many memories, but I'm actually really sad because I'm gonna miss my cats and my mom. I feel like I didn't think of that before. I mean like, "Oh yeah, gonna go on tour!" And then I'm like, "Wait, I need to leave everyone at home." But, it's okay. I'll FaceTime them every night. I'm excited.
S: All the firsts are always crazy. After our first one, the next one's gonna be like, "Yeah, this is cool," but at the first one, it's just you get to...
AB: It's that feeling.
S: It's that almost anxiety in your stomach. You're just like, "Oh shit, this is actually really happening for the first time." Didn't you go on tour, kind of?
A: A tour where I made a whopping $40.
S: You can regain your tour virginity, I guess.
What would you guys be doing without music?
R: I'd be going to school trying to find a normal job with no shit in my face, no tattoos, and I'd probably have five cats, and I'd probably accept being a normie and just really take that, and probably be really sad.
A: Yeah, I would be super bummed out all the time, working a regular 9-5 job.
AB: I'd probably be on them streets bumming it, bro. Real shit. Knowing me, if I never had music, I probably either would have killed myself or still hopeless, doing really bad things, and just feeling like there's no way out. Type shit. Music saved me!
S: I think I would still try to pursue some sort of art if I didn't kill myself.
Do you guys hate No Way...?
S: I don't hate it. I mean, the lyrics mean something, but you know, there are better songs on the album.
AB: Let's be real here. It's the one song where you play the first chord and everybody phone out. Everybody pushing to the front.
R: You know what? I don't hate the damn song. Dare I say I love it because I love all our songs. First of all, that is the one song on the album that y'all do not need to be doing all that for. There were motherfuckers dying and passing out, I'm like, "Wait 'til the other ones, ho."
A: Guys, we're gonna play breakdown later.
S: I will say, everyone around us was all like, "This song is going to blow up guys." Everybody.
AB: That's what we all said. We were like, "That's going to be our top song. For sure."
A: We had predictions before the album came out, we were like, "What song is going to blow up?" and I think it was just No Way... that we predicted.
AB: I thought I'd Rather Burn than Fall. I was like, bro, that shit's such a banger.
S: I thought Slow Dance or Bitches.
Any bands, projects, or friends you want to shout out?
AB: Shout out The Ritornello Form. We're recording right now and it's going to be fire. They honestly are the best band ever right now. They're so next up. I think it's exactly what the scene needs right now, too.
S: We need a singing revival.
AB: Imagine Aren't We Amphibians but on some cool nonchalant shit.
R: They are not nonchalant. They're goofy and funny.
AB: Actually, on some goofy shit. It's like goofy AWA.
R: Aden literally got possessed at their show.
S: Shout out Clay Birds. Shout out journal. Shout out bulletsbetweentonges. Shout out aplacewe'vealwaysbeen.
AB: Shout out Washed. Shout out stitching.
S: Shout out Cash Only Tony's. Just released.
AB: Shout out Spring Breeding. Shout out pretty much everyone in Vegas that ever helped us on the come up. Adam. Tyler. Crochet. Love you guys. Shout out OLTH. Shout out my dad.
S: Shout out Frank. Shout out Rila's mom. Shout out Airon's mom. I'll shout out my mom for the shits and giggles. Shout out Dreaming Maria, too.
A: I think there's a real push in Vegas. There are some kids in the scene now that are really pushing hardcore forward like, dude, shout out the Order Number 5 guys and shout out Pete Jennings.
R: Shout out Giyera.
S: Shout out Knuckle Sandwich.
R: Shout out I Set My Friends On Fire.
AB: And most importantly, shout out #FEBNATION, dude. Like, I'm being so serious #FEBNATION is about to take over the world just like One Direction did. Okay. Just like One Direction did. I'm like just now realizing that none of them played any instruments, they were just all singing, bruh. It's like, "Oh, who's gonna pop and lock in the back and who's gonna pop and lock in the front?
S: Who's going to sing better than one of them?
AB: No, shout out #FEBNATION. Let's take over the world, guys.
A: Get ready. Y'all really think #FEBNATION is a bit, bro? It's not. This is not a joke at all.
AB: First person to get that tattoo, I swear to god, bro you're going to get some extra Feb perks.
S: You're getting some Feb bucks.
R: Wait, can we give out Feb bucks on tour with the money gun?
A: #FEBNATION Discord server with a mayor and our own currency.
R: We could actually do that. I could set that up. Back to my old days when I met Foster on Discord. I've known Foster longer than I've known any of you and now we're here.
AB: My name is Airon. I made the mimic.
What are each of your favorite Febuary songs?
S: Some new new.
A: I think my favorite song is a some new shit we got. It's really good. It shows all of our progression as musicians really well.
S: I actually do really like Slow Dance Tune a lot.
AB: I'm gonna have to say Bitches Love My Wite Belt just because that song is so fun to play and, drums-wise, I feel like it showed my progression because everything I've ever learned was self-taught and you can really hear it as you listen throughout the album, too. I'd be fucking that shit up.
R: Slow Dance. That's my favorite.
S: Bro, that song just like... at like 1:24 really hits.
AB: She got the timestamp.
R: There was a time where we couldn't play that without me crying. I would just always cry while we played it. Love that song.
What's next?
AB: The world.
A: We got a new release coming out. We're going to be in the process of recording it very soon. We're really proud of these songs. They're really good. It's like what we did on the first album, but the natural progression of where we're going and everything that happened between releasing the first album and now, I think.
S: We got a tour. We got an EP. We got a tour. We got a tour. We got a tour.
AB: The world!
A: We will be electing mayor. We will be conducting an election for mayor of #FEBNATION, so if anyone would like to run for mayor of #FEBNATION...
S: Camp Flog Gnaw! Coachella!
R: Lollapalooza.
AB: Mainstream.
R: Spotify headquarters.
S: Billboard Hot 100.
R: 102.7 kiss FM. The radio.
S: Oh yeah, also Best Friends Fest is cool, too.
R: Sound and Fury.
All: Bye, #FEBNATION!
I'm so incredibly grateful to have these four wonderful people in my life. I love you, Febuary, and thanks for talking to me about your music stuffs. If you haven't listened to them, what the fuck are you doing?
Stream February.
-Foster
Continuing Dead Mothers Collective's live series, check out Stitching's new video on YouTube.
See Febuary on at Kingdom Boxing Gym on April 4th with a slew of awesome bands.
Also see them on tour with aplacewe'vealwaysbeen, journal, and bulletsbetweentongues.
Also see them at California Kicks 2 on June 14th and 15th.
Also see them at Sound and Fury Fest on July 12th and 13th.
Also see them at Best Friends Forever Fest on October 10-12th.
Comments
Post a Comment