Family of the Year talk barbeques and 90’s sitcom stars

March 15th, 2010

familyoftheyear2

California-based indie band Family of the Year wowed audiences at CMW last week and were buzzed about as one of the “bands to watch”. If you’re like me and love bands like Arcade Fire or Fleet Foxes then you will love these guys. We caught up with the band while they were on their way back to the South for SXSW this week. Here they tell us about how the band formed, their love for David Guetta, and the band’s obsession with 90’s sitcom stars. You can check out their new EP “Through the Trees” here.

You guys are from California – what brought you up to Toronto for Canadian Music Week?
Our blue van brought us up there (her name is Buttercup), but really we were itching to get out of LA and on the road before SXSW and it was a bonus that we’d never been to Toronto or even out of the country as a touring band yet.

You guys trade off lead singers – what’s the creative process like with two singers? Who writes the songs – or so you pen them together?
All different ways. Some are written entirely by one person, sometimes it’s a total collaboration where we write everything together and record it as we go. Sometimes one person will be working on something and get stuck and the other will take over… There are really no boundaries and no formula for what we do, which keeps it interesting and organic.

Do you guys have any musical guilty pleasures? Any song you’d be embarrassed to admit you love?
To be honest we’re pretty shameless about the ridiculous cheesy stuff we obsess over. From David Guetta’s “Sexy Bitch” to Ace of Base, we will sing along embarrassingly loud in public places without batting an eye.

How would you describe your sound?
Well, we start with a little bass and drums, then we sprinkle in a little 4th of July BBQ, add a few beach blankets, perhaps a walk in the woods, and away we go. And harmonies and guitars, of course. We like singing. Lots of singing.

What’s the significance of the name Family of the Year?
It started off as a song, and then seemed to fit since we are really each other’s family at this point. Joe and Seb are literally brothers, but we all live together and do everything together.

How did you all meet? How did the band form?
Joe, Seb, Farley and Meredith are from the island of Martha’s vineyard in Massachusetts. After years of playing in various bands with eac hother and other close friends, including Jim Buckey who they met in Boston, Joe and Seb moved to Los Angeles where they found Christina. Farley and Meredith followed later to complete the circle.

You guys cite Jerry Seinfeld’s pants as an influence – are there any other 90’s sitcom stars’ clothing that have influenced you?
Just look at a picture of us and then look at a picture of David and Darlene from Rosanne.

What’s the one thing you hope the band will have done a year from now?
To have made an awesome second album and be playing all over the world. And maybe have a dog.

Tags: ace of base, David Guetta, family of the year