In a world that takes pleasure in haunted lyrics and compositions, it seems like the natural, musical route to go dark. Do not get me wrong! I love a good sad song or a heavy beat, i.e. The Weeknd is my jam! Still, I admire a band that chooses to see life according to optimism. I, especially, admire a band like, Cheerleader, whom approach positivity without all the “kitchiness” that could plague it. Interviewing this rising band, helped me realize that behind their solid musical debut, The Sunshine of Your Youth, is a group of tight-knit musicians that truly enjoy life. They are backing their positivity through a genuinely cool connection with each other as bandmates. Although mostly, Joe Haller (vocals) and Chris Duran (lead guitar) spoke, hearing a group of guys laugh and agree with each other reminded me that behind every great song are just regular people.
Diandra: You have toured a lot with other bands, what would you say you has influenced you the most from those experiences? Joe: I think influence all starts from growing up and listening to a lot of different bands and falling in love with music. Just listening to them, and wanting to be them and being curious about that lifestyle. Chris: I think playing with other bands has a minor influence, but not sonically as much as wanting to have that “moment” on stage. A performance is physical, and it about being present and knowing your abilities.
A Million Ways
Diandra: You guys have known each other since childhood. Do you think that bond build a creative trust while making this debut album? Joe: Well, some of our band-mates did not join until 4 months prior to recording, which was definitely something different. Chris and I have known each other a long time, which absolutely helped us communicate with each other and with everyone more easily. The better you know someone, the more you know how to better get back on the same creative page about stuff. There is a trust in each other’s ideas.
Diandra: So with that creative trust, what was/is the specific image and feel you want this album to provide to listeners? Chris: It is about having fun and betting on yourself. Yeah, it talks about the ironies of life, but its about optimism, hope, and just going out there.
The Sunshine Of Your Youth
Diandra: In doing an album about being positive and having a good time, how did you learn to compose a bright sound that promoted exactly that? Joe: I think when we started it was more about the recorded sound, but then we started playing more gigs and it became about connecting that positivity with the audience through basic elements of our performance. When we were recording our original demos we did not have a lot so it was just about using what we have, and then when we started recording in a studio we realized “Whoa, this is different!”. Chris: We always knew what our sound was or what we wanted it to be. It was just about learning to translate it to different platforms to keep a basic element or consistency.
Diandra: That is interesting because I have found that many artists go through bouts of unclarity as they rise and gain more access to tools for making their music, but you guys seem to have had a set core throughout your process. Joe: I think actually when we upgraded our recording setup, we able to bring things down and make things cleaner. Ironically, we did not have to work to do so much more to make sure the sound we wanted actually came out exactly as our idea of it.
The Sunshine of Your Youth Album
Diandra: I know this may sound random, but you guys went to college, and there is a certain articulation that comes out when you hear songs written by those with a university experience. Just in the way they write their words, you can hear their professor. (laughs) So, do you think that having a college education has formed your music?
Joe: Yeah, definitely! For me, college was one of the most formative years as a musician. Most of the songs that I write are about people I met in college, and I studied English so that definitely influences how I write or approach a song.
Chris: When we (Joe and I) separated for college, it was because we had become so close that we thought we were going to merge and become one person (laughs). So, it was about having a complete university experience and meeting people and trying to figure life out. There were so many other musicians there that influenced me in playing music and loving to just play. It was there I realized that I wanted to make music for life.
Diandra: Ultimately, this album is about optimism, hope, and feeling happy no matter what which gives a refreshing contrast to the usual songs about struggle. Do you think there should be more music trying to bring those specific feelings?
Joe: Yeah, I think it would be great if there is more optimistic music out there, but I also think there is already. I think people are really drawn to songs about emotional struggle because they feel alone, and we want to make them feel less lonely but through hope. I personally use to write sad songs and love Elliott Smith,, but for Cheerleader, we wanted to move away from that and not make it a bummer.
Diandra: What is your advice for bands, like yourself, trying to doing their debut or trying to get to that point and push themselves further into the music scene?
Joe: It is all about the first performance, and making sure you give your all on stage. So I recommend trying out smaller venues and practicing your presence for awhile to learn how to build a distinct connection with your audience.
Chris: It is also about creative cohesion. You want to have a clear, signature sound that makes sense not just sonically but visually. You want listeners to to hear, feel, and literally see through your music. It is also about patience, and knowing it is not going to to happen overnight, so you just have to really believe in yourself, and know that this is what you want from your life.
These guys were super kind, laid-back, and very in tune with their own music. They have a casual confidence that is open to all, which will definitely help them as they attain more success. For more information on the band and to buy their debut album, Sunshine of Your Youth, Click Here.
