We had the chance to sit down with alternative R&B band, We The Commas and talk about their start in the music business, their unique sound “SARB” and what other exciting things are on their agenda for the upcoming year.
Beyond the Stage: How did you get started in music?
Cam: Growing up, our parents constantly had the house filled with the widest variety of music. Even though we might not have played it yet, music was always our favorite thing. One Christmas our parents got us the video game “Rock Band.” We obsessed over this game so heavily that the next year on Christmas we all asked for real instruments. I was six years old. We haven’t set them down since.
Beyond the Stage: You describe your sound as “SARB”, which is also the name of your EP — can you explain what it means and how you came up with it?
Cam: “SARB” is basically an acronym we have given to the many genres that heavily influence our own original sound. Surf Alternative R&B or SARB was the best way to describe this unique sound and overall vibe and seemed like the perfect fit for our debut EP.
Beyond the Stage: Who are some of your influences, musical or not?
Cam: Some of our biggest influences in music are Young The Giant, Last Dinosaurs, Dave Matthews Band, Frank Ocean, Justin Bieber, Santo and Johnny, Pearl Jam, Chris Brown, Stevie Wonder, Erika Bahdu, Daniel Caesar, Mac Ayres, Nat King Cole and Heavy Mellow.
Beyond the Stage: You recently dropped the video for “I Will” off the EP. What was that process like? How does it come together with the rest of the videos, if at all?
Lenny: Making the “I Will” video was such a fun experience. We got to showcase where we’re from in a different way than we did in the “Sherry” music video, and we were excited to give the audience a little look into our lives. The “I Will” video is meant to give us all a fun and positive outlook on life as a contrast to the more rugged tone of the “Pissed Off” video which was released right before the EP and “I Will.”
Beyond the Stage: How many songs did you actually write for the SARB EP? Was it difficult to cut some to get to six tracks?
Lenny: We have written hundreds of songs together as brothers and as a band and narrowed it down to 6 for the SARB EP. We are creating so much that we’re already working on the next full project and are planning to release the debut album in 2021 plus many more videos. As a band, we know all of the songs we make will one day be put out into the world, so we don’t stress about it. Working with our manager, we usually have a pretty easy time figuring out what songs make the most sense to release in a particular project.
Beyond the Stage: Which tracks are your favorites from the EP?
Lenny: We love them all but at the moment I’d say “All the Best,” “Too Long” and “I Will.” But that just could be because they are our latest songs to be released and we’re really excited for everyone to hear them.
Beyond the Stage: When shows are back, which track are you most excited to perform for your fans?
Jordy: We are excited to perform all the songs, but we are definitely looking forward to performing “Too Long” and “I Will.”
Beyond the Stage: What are you listening to these days?
Jordy: We are listening to a variety of music at the moment. Our debut EP SARB has been in constant rotation and artists like Bieber, Smino, Joe Pass, Michael Nau, The Strokes, Frank Ocean, Young the Giant and Fleet Foxes as well. It’s a WIIIIIDE spectrum of music we enjoy as you can see.
Beyond the Stage: What’s next on the We the Commas agenda?
Jordy: Performing on some live streams, guest appearing on a few podcasts and releasing more music by the end of 2020. The album is completed so we are starting to piece together the second album currently. Hoping we can tour soon too!
Keep up with We the Commas on social media:
Instagram | YouTube | Twitter
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