Los Angeles art pop band Sure Sure just released an EP What’s It Like? and announced a tour with Half-Alive. We chatted with the band’s twitter-famous drummer Kevin Farzad about the new EP and his inspirations.
ALTANGELES: How did you meet and start making music?
KEVIN: Chris and Charlie met on the first day of college and one of them was like “Want to start a band?” and the other one was like, “Yeah.” After college, they lived in San Francisco. I’d fly up from Los Angeles and crash on their couch for a week at a time and we’d play music. Long distance relationships are difficult so they moved to Los Angeles and into Mike’s house where Sure Sure was birthed. It was a water birth.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
The past and the present. The Beatles, Nick Drake, Little Dragon, Alabama Shakes, Radiohead are a constant source of inspiration for us. But then there’s also artists coming up right now that we really dig. Like Benee and Western and Still Woozy is also reallllly cool.
What is your songwriting process like?
Usually Chris & Charlie will come in with some kind of melodic//harmonic//lyrical idea, or I’ll make a groove, and then we start to build the song together. Then we get stuck and go to the park, where we throw a frisbee and wonder what we should eat for dinner. Stir fry? Pasta? Lentils? One thing is for sure: there will be a salad on the side.
You recently released a new EP What’s It Like?, what inspired the songs on the album?
The EP is mostly love songs. We hadn’t really done too many positive love songs before, so it was quite fun lyrically. Recording was a blast as usual, most of the songs were recorded in between our 2018 tours. I like releasing songs without overworking them. There is a bit more R&B/soul influence on some of the songs, and there’s a little Lou Reed in there too, and some Cake.
What’s your favorite song on the EP?
I like Out Of My Element and Might Might Not because they’re the most freshly recorded tunes.
What was it like playing your EP release show at such an iconic venue as the Troubadour?
It was fun. I liked playing music on stage with my friends.
How has living in Los Angeles benefitted your career as a band?
It’s been great. We live near the coast so if you have a rough day it’s really easy to drive your car into the sea.
What artists have you been listening to lately?
Benee, Westerman, Anderson. Paak, Daft Punk, and other things that I can’t remember now.
If you were a cover band, what band would you cover and what would you call yourselves?
We’d be a touring Sure Sure cover band and we’d call ourselves Tour Tour. Is this anything? I’m so tired.
Can you describe each of your bandmates in one word?
Mike: Bike. Charlie: Book. Chris: Bud.
What are you most excited for in the coming year? What are you looking forward to?
I’m excited to grocery shop, maybe learn how to cook some new meals, throw a frisbee at the park with my friends.
Are you planning on touring any time soon?
We’re going on tour with Half-Alive this fall tickets at suresuremusic.com/tour !
Anything else you want to add?
Remember to stay hydrated!
Photo by Matthew John Benton
