Welcome to AP&R, the place we spotlight rising artists who will quickly change into your new favourite.
Innovative indie-rockers late night drive home are a product of El Paso, Texas — and of the synthy, mid-2000s alt-rock surge that encompassed outfits just like the Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. Their tackle that period is fresh-faced and thrilling, weaving the sound and really feel of these sources via their very own expertise as younger Hispanic and Latino artists. With elevated illustration within the scene as a aim, during the last 5 years, the band have grown — each actually, going from a twosome to a foursome, and of their viewers attain, and of their artistic ethos and sonic depth. What started as a lo-fi storage challenge has organically shifted right into a glowing, layered sound replete with melodic guitar components, an upbeat, angular rhythm, and lyrics that glisten with wistful pleasure.
Read extra: The Strokes albums ranked: From worst to finest
The evolution of late night drive home, and their ensuing success, has not gone unnoticed. After releasing their breakout monitor, the bilingual, emotion-driven “Stress Relief,” it wasn’t lengthy earlier than the band got the chance to be signed to Epitaph. In celebration of this second, after years of grinding and constructing as an impartial challenge, lead singer Andre Portillo, guitarist Juan “Ockz” Vargas, bassist Freddy Baca, and drummer Brian Dolan dropped the extremely anticipated “Stress Relief” music video by way of Epitaph, and are gearing up for a headlining vacation present at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre on Dec. 23. Lucky for us, the band allow us to relish this thrilling time with them, sitting down with AP to unpack the place they’re at proper now, and the place this thrilling group are going subsequent.
Let’s discuss “Stress Relief.” You’ve mentioned you don’t fully perceive the way it blew up the best way it did, nevertheless it’s clearly resonating with individuals in such an unbelievable manner. What’s the story behind that track, out of your finish? What does it imply to you, and what was the method that led us to the monitor that it’s at the moment, and the video?
ANDRE PORTILLO: “Stress Relief” is predicated on poisonous relationships, even these situationships that are very tough to take away your self from. Within the track, there are lyrics that I believe resonate rather well with what I simply defined: “Tell me you love me, come back, come back to haunt me…” Which briefly isn’t solely explaining the scenario as it’s, however later down the road when every part is all mentioned and carried out, the entire scenario really got here again to hang-out me mentally for some time.
The very which means behind the track is carried by the title “Stress Relief,” which, lengthy story brief, are the precise phrases to explain the sensation of efficiently eradicating your self from any points generally. For us, the track offers a way of relatability for anybody going via any sort of scenario, not solely relationship issues.
In addition to being trapped on this scenario, we needed our music video to seize this which means as effectively. The white room represents being trapped in these experiences with no clear manner out. The previous TV represents and shows these previous recollections that you simply’re caught with — fixed reminders about every part you possibly can have carried out higher and methods you possibly can have prevented these issues.
What is the origin story of late night drive home? How did you meet, and the way did you establish the sound and ethos you needed to seize?
JUAN OCKZ: The origin of late night drive home began in 2019 when Andre and I shaped the band after Andre exchanged an acoustic voice recording for a track he made. I actually needed to attempt music, so I requested him if I may add one thing, and it simply started from there. For the primary two years, it was simply Andre and I making demos however not releasing a lot — solely 4 songs in the course of the ethos of our duo. Come 2021, we recruited Brian Dolan and Freddy Baca to the instrumentation of the group to kind a full-scale band
Your sound has shifted and adjusted for the reason that band shaped. Can you communicate to how that’s occurred, whether or not consciously or subconsciously?
PORTILLO & OCKZ: Our sound is an ever-evolving snowball how I see it. Art is supposed to vary and change into new in its personal manner [with] each passing launch or creation, and I’m glad to say we study each time we create one thing new. Even now I’m studying new methods to provide songs and write higher. It’s finest to let the artistic universe information us into new methods of forming artwork, [rather] than forcing ourselves.
How do you see your sound proceed to vary going ahead? Are there new avenues or collaborations you’d hope to discover?
OCKZ: I, for one, wish to create extra genres of music and work with anybody that represents artwork in its purity as I see it. Seeing others work and their artistic power encourages me to work in that method. I see late night drive home as a challenge that can proceed evolving and by no means sticking to at least one sound, as we enter this new period of music; the sound will change.
What do you suppose you provide an viewers or listener that units you aside?
OCKZ: I really feel we as a band provide a wide range of sounds and experimentation that simply resonates with the listener. I, in fact, although, see that there are many nice bands throughout, developing within the 2020s. From digital to indie, I really feel we will provide something to our listeners whereas [staying] true to ourselves
If your fanbase had a reputation for itself, what would it not be?
PORTILLO & OCKZ: I’m undecided! We have considered this for fairly now… Maybe passengers? It’s one thing that’s simply accumulating on this new period, for certain.
What do you suppose the most important false impression about indie musicians is?
OCKZ: I believe the most important false impression is that indie musicians stick to at least one sound or stick to at least one subject of lyrics. I really feel these days “indie” musicians are breaking out of their shell and reaching new blends of genres that symbolize every particular person artist effectively. At least that is how I really feel for us. I do really feel we as indie musicians, the title of indie will change with the brand new album.
Your songs are inclined to really feel fairly melancholic and carry quite a lot of emotion. What experiences, or locations, or factors of reference sonically and in your life have you ever been drawing from or in search of out in your lyrical course of?
PORTILLO: I really feel like most individuals are pushed by emotion, each choice we make. Most of every part that I write is predicated on real-life occasions. Every track now we have launched up till now has been a set of our childhood experiences and what it was like rising up in rural America, or the desert as we name it. Growing up in a smaller city, there isn’t actually a lot to do by way of enjoyable components, so your family and friends are actually the one issues that matter.
You had been impartial for fairly a while earlier than signing to Epitaph. I can solely think about that takes a sure relentless work ethic and deal with an finish aim. What was that like, and the way did it really feel signing to the label lastly? What are your objectives now?OCKZ: It feels nice to signal to a label. I imply, it is what quite a lot of artists attempt to succeed in, however for us, it seems like the start. I really feel now as this new document will get written and recorded, it’s gonna really feel like a brand new debut for us. Recording independently is nice, and I encourage everybody to at all times begin that manner, however we really feel now we have succeeded the in-home studio. Being capable of work in studios and attain increased sounds that might simply not be potential in-home [studios] excites me for what we’ll launch.
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