It’s a Friday in October, which means we’re set for a packed day of releases as the music industry rolls into its fall season. One band that you should make sure to hear today is San Diego-based trio almost monday as they release their debut EP don’t say you’re ordinary. This band has been picking up serious steam throughout 2020 with their infectious blend of alt-rock and funk taking over the airwaves; the EP’s anthem of a lead single “broken people” has made waves on TikTok and is sitting at #36 on the Billboard Alternative Rock Charts. The rest of the EP collects their previously-released singles and the unheard title track — simply put, this EP is a blast to listen to. If you’re a fan of artists like half•alive, Cavetown, or IDKHOW, you should really get on this. In anticipation of the EP’s release (it’s available everywhere today,) we sent over some questions for the band to answer:
MM: Where did your name come from?
almost monday: We needed a band name so we landed on calling ourselves “The Mondays” from a friends suggestion but then we shortly realized that it was already taken and changed it to “almost monday”.
MM: What does your songwriting process look like as a song like “broken people” or “come on come on” comes together?
am: Our creative process isn’t always the same and song ideas come about in different ways. It usually starts with talking about what’s been inspiring us lately and what direction sonically and lyrically we want to go with. broken people came quickly, we started with a bass line idea and had the demo finished in a day. come on come on took a bit longer. We started with a demo and then revisited it later to finish it.
MM: Your origin story has been told time and time again — booking shows in the back of surf shops until you broke through with Mark Needham. Does this sudden rise in starpower (for yourself and the collaborations y’all have) make you feel any pressure in releasing this EP?
am: Definitely no pressure. I think we’re just doing what comes natural to us and making music that we love. I think that is the best mindset to stay in, once you start putting pressure on yourself is when I think you could overthink things.
MM: What have you been listening to throughout the pandemic?
Dawson (vocals): Basically every week I’m listening to new music and falling in love with new artists. Some of my standouts from the pandemic have been Prince, David Bowie, The Stone Roses, Mac Miller, and Carole King. Like I said though I’m listening to new stuff basically everyday! So much good music everywhere!
Cole (guitar): I’ve been through a few fazes since the pandemic began from binging The Strokes, Blur, MGMT, Cocteau Twins, New Order, Radiohead, Pond… I listen to new music every week from artists currently putting out songs but I also like to listen to complete discographies of artists. I keep a running list of artists and just listening to all of their releases one artist at a time.
Luke (bass): Over the duration of the pandemic I’ve listened to new music that’s come out as well as revisiting some older albums. I listened to Dua Lipa’s album when that dropped at the beginning of quarantine and have revisited some of Foster The People’s records as well as Empire of the Sun’s records.
MM: What’s your dream collaboration? This isn’t just limited to music.
am: Musically people like Frank Ocean, Damon Albarn, Calvin Harris, Daft Punk, or Justice would be crazy…it would also be insane to work with directors like Dave Meyers or Michel Gondry to bring to life future music videos.
MM: What’s the first thing you’re going to do when we make it through COVID-19?
am: Get back on the road and play live music!
–
A big thank you to almost monday for letting us talk with them. Check out don’t say you’re ordinary here, and follow the band on Instagram here.
