Diandra Interviews Rare Americans: Welcome To Crooked City

In this world, you have to have fun and know how to get serious. There are times to be serious in a room, and there are time when playfulness makes the room. Rare Americans understand that balance, perhaps, because they are two brothers, James and Jared Priestner, who have united to make good music, have a blast, and take note of the people, places, and things that make a real “Hullabaloo,”of which their new song, titled as such, does. In our interview, James chats about brotherhood, Crooked City, and how one joke led them on a music adventure for their lifetime.

Diandra: What is the story/ inspiration behind Hullabaloo?

Rare Americans (James): We live in a world with gigantic conglomerations and we often take them at face value. When you take a deep dive behind these corporations, there’s more than meets the eye, and that’s fascinating to us. Who is really pulling the strings? We thought it would be fun to create a fictional company called “The Lemming Corporation” and tell the story of a character living through a world like this.

Rare Americans – Hullabaloo (Official Music Video)

Diandra: Hullabaloo is about someone thinking for their self. Describe a moment when you did just that and what was the thought you discovered?

Rare Americans (James): I would say choosing a musical career completely embodies that! It’s a very unconventional lifestyle, probably not something the average parent would encourage their kid to pursue! It’s risky and fickle, but also the most rewarding thing in the world. I really had to believe in myself and my team and make the conscious decision to go all in if we wanted to get somewhere.

Diandra: What was the joke that led to you deciding to song-write together?

Rare Americans (James): My older brother Jared and I decided to take a brother’s trip to the Caribbean, a couple of years ago. It was our first time taking a trip like that. I was in a different band, at the time, and my brother had never written a song before. I told him I was going to bring my guitar and that it might be fun to drink a couple beers and try to write a song. He laughed and said, “A song? Fuck that, lets write an album!”. We both laughed but sure enough 10 days later the first 12 Rare Americans songs were born. We caught chemistry and spent 10 hours a day writing on that trip, we barely made it to the ocean.

Rare Americans – Milk Man (Official Music Video)

Diandra: Was there a specific moment when you knew or felt you had to form this band?

Rare Americans (James): Ever since I first started writing songs, while I was playing in the Western Hockey League, I just felt in my bones this is what I wanted to do. It was such a special moment and turning point in my life. It seemed like the previous band I was in, going to production & engineering school, all lead to me being ready for Rare Americans. We had written stronger songs, had more of an identity, and it just felt right to go all in on.

Diandra: What is a “hullabaloo” or crazy commotion you have been in that you will never forget?

Rare Americans (James): When I was playing in the Western Hockey League every team around Christmas time has a “Teddy Bear Toss” night. All fans bring a Teddy Bear and throw them on the ice when the home team scores, every Teddy is donated to sick children at the hospital as a Christmas Gift. I was playing in Portland to 10,000+ fans and got scored on (I was the goalie). All of a sudden there was a GIGANTIC sea (or more like a tsunami!!) of Teddy Bears being thrown at me!!! Literal craziness. I’ll never forget it.

Brittle Bones Nicky (Official Music Video)

Diandra What are the qualities of your brotherhood that you feel transfers into your music?

Rare Americans (James): Our family has a strong identity. How we view the world, our interests, the type of people we are etc. I think that really binds us, a sort of “glue” so to speak. Whether it’s a song Jared or I has written, even though they are different as we are different ages and in different stages of our lives, I think they still fit nicely under the same umbrella. Jared is one of the smartest people I know. He’s tenacious, has great belief in himself and his ideas, which I really admire, and having him as a teammate gives me the confidence and belief to know what we’re doing is worthwhile.

Diandra: Being from Canada, what do you find is so “rare” or fascinating about Americans?

Rare Americans(James): America is just a bad ass country. I love the sense of identity Americans have. As soon as you cross the border, you feel it. Very passionate people, all in pursuit of chasing their dreams. It’s also the world stage. Every country looks at America as the cultural epicenter. Music, films, politics, influence; it’s the measuring stick.

Rare Americans – Ryan & Dave (Official Music Video)

Diandra: What character do you most relate to in Crooked City and why?

Rare Americans (James): As a character in the world myself, I guess it would have to be me!! It’s hard not to love our mascot Alfred, as well. He’s a little rough around the edges, gets himself into some trouble, but he’s a man of the people. He’s crafty, smart, and adventurous.

Diandra: How do you feel Crooked City represents the world right now or how you wish it would be?

Rare Americans (James): I don’t want to give too much away as we’re just rolling out content related to Crooked City, but I will say I think it embodies what I believe people are really longing for these days, and that’s finding their vocation. Marrying who you are as a person, at your core, to what you do to make a living. Not faking it every day or working for the man (that you can’t stand). People thrive when they are given responsibility. People want to contribute ideas and feel heard. Crooked City is all about finding your true self.

Diandra: Describing Crooked City as a place to be creative and unlock your mind. What are the places you have travelled to that did just that and why?

Rare Americans (James): Great question! I’ve been fortunate to travel to over 50 countries, so tons. One that comes to mind is India. I went there because I read “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts. He was so poetic about the country, so I first went to Mumbai. Despite the population density, some of the smells & dirtiness, it’s really a very beautiful city. The people are very kind, looking to help you in any way they can, and are so fascinated about where you come from. There’s such a curiosity, in the people, and a hunger to thrive. The people are very hard working. When I visited a slum, I wondered what the mood would be like, people living in such poverty. It was so cool to see how happy they were. Laughing, smiling, singing, contributing members of their own communities. It made me realize it’s not about what you have, it’s about who you have. 

Rare Americans – Cats, Dogs, & Rats (Official Video)

Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory together with music?

Rare Americans (James): My brother Colin (also a musician) was opening a show for a musical hero of his, Dan Bern, who is a fantastic singer/songwriter. Colin introduced our family to his music, and I knew, pretty well, every word to every song even though I was maybe 12. The show was 18+ but of course I really wanted to go so they snuck me in early before sound check. As Dan was playing to a packed house, he looked at me and said mid song, “Lay low little buddy! Lay low!”.

Their videos are FANTASTIC and worthy of an Adult Swim series. Meanwhile, their songs, like Hullabaloo, make Crooked City feel like a destination you want to visit. For More Information On Rare Americans Click Here.