A Q&A with Famous Strangers

Gritty modern rock, melodic darkness, emotional intensity…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
Our latest release is called ‘LSC’. For me, it was a real moment of discovering my voice, pushing between softness and grit. It helped us lock in our sound, and that balance of light and dark really spoke to who we are. It’s inviting, but there’s this lurking heaviness underneath. I think this track was the first time we really heard ourselves and said, “That’s it.”

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Waiting. That’s the hardest part. Once you record something, all you want is to share it. But there’s this long, necessary wait to finalise everything. In the studio, it’s like holding a magnifying glass up to your soul. You see every detail, every flaw, and it pushes you to be better. The video shoot was brutal too, freezing cold with fire pits going — but no regrets. We love what we do.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
We were lucky to work with Phil Anderson to track drums, Maor Applebaum mastered it, and Joel Wanasek mixed it. They took our sound to a whole new level. I’ve never heard one of our songs sound so massive. But we also do a lot in-house. Jeff is our guitarist and producer. We were lucky to be able to track bass, guitars and vocals ourselves. I can take a vocal home, fix a take on my time, and really live in the songs.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
We want people to feel fired up. Whether you’re at the gym, walking into work, or laying on the floor needing a moment. We want our music to lift you. To hype you up, to comfort you. To remind you that you’re worthy, strong, and not alone.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
We usually start with a jam, no pressure, someone plays a riff. Sometimes it’s magic and hits right away, sometimes it takes weeks. I freestyle lyrics at rehearsal, then take it home and write based on the emotions it brings out. Sometimes I’ll even ask the crowd mid-set what they want a song to be about and make something up on the spot. It keeps everything alive and present.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
It’s always shifting. We’re all influenced by different stuff. Braden brings punk energy like Propagandhi and Comeback Kid. Beej and I both love jazz. Jeff’s old school with Judas Priest and The Smalls. I jump between Paramore, Emma Ruth Rundle, and even Phantom of the Opera. It’s a mix of classic and unexpected, which keeps things fresh.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
We want to tour the entire world. Every city, every town, every weird little dive bar or massive festival stage. Red Rocks in Colorado would be a dream. Still, we’re just as excited about the smaller venues where the crowd is right up against the stage and you feel that energy in your chest.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
I’d go with ‘LSC’. It’s a mix of soft and heavy, pretty and gritty. That balance is who we are. It’s not just a song, it’s the start of what’s coming next.

What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
We want to be on tour consistently, not knowing what city we’re in, just waking up and playing shows. We want this to be full-time, and we’ve put in the hours and the heart. The goal is to connect with more people, expand our chosen family, and keep playing alongside amazing bands and humans.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
We love you. We couldn’t do any of this without you. Thank you for being here. You matter. You’re worthy. See you soon.

Find out more about Famous Strangers at famousstrangersband.com