Interview with The Neighbourhood

The Neighbourhood has been on my "watch list" since I first heard them, and the fact that none of my friends seemed to know their music was frustrating to me! How were so many good bands like this one so unknown, while others with more "marketable" sound were filthy rich and ridiculously famous? (Just another reason why I am passionate about this website - to help those great bands get more recognition - free press is good press!) I fell in love with their music, the lyrics, their energy, and I told myself I knew that they were gonna hit it big. I didn't know when, but I knew it was going to happen for them.

If you don't know them, they're California based and comprised of vocalist Jesse Rutherford, bassist Mikey Margott, drummer Bryan Sammis, and guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels. All hugely talented guys, with an obvious passion for music. It's been said that they popped up out of nowhere as a band, and I think that mysterious aura adds something to their music.

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How did you guys first get started as a band?

We all knew each other and decided we wanted to try and fulfill this shared vision we had with our best friends.

What, if anything, have you run into as a band that was difficult to overcome?

We were thrust into this world so fast. It was the best thing that has ever happened to us, but going from living at home to being on tour for over a year is definitely something that you need to adjust to.

Do you feel like those things brought you closer and made the band even stronger?

Definitely. We live together now, all day every day. We've gone through the trials and tribulations of a proper relationship. We've had arguments and disagreements and it's all brought us to a place of love.

Tell me about your current process in songwriting and recording. Has this changed at all since the beginning?

It's always been an evolving process, especially on the road. Now a days people work on songs in the van on their computers and such. We have also been jamming some new stuff during sound-checks, which is definitely a new experience.

Who writes most of the lyrics and music? Or is it a collaboration between all of you?

Jesse writes the lyrics. We all write the music.

Photo by Eric T. White (c)

Do you find writing songs therapeutic, if you use real life experiences to influence them? They seem to be pretty different than a lot of what's going on in the music scene these days, so I'd like to know about where they come from.

It's definitely therapeutic. The lyrics are all truthful and about real life things. The music is from a place where we get to express our feelings through our instruments.

Did you experience any issues or problems while recording your new album?

Honestly, no. Our biggest problem was which songs to put on the album.

Do you think that the Spotify EMERGE contest had a lot to do with building your fan base more recently?

Spotify is a great tool for people to find music. It has definitely helped people find us.

How has being on tour for you recently? Have you had a favorite moment that has stood out as being especially memorable?

Denver was a great show with our good buds in the band Lovelife.

What can fans expect from you in 2013/2014 after your current tour is over? I know you just released a new album, but hey, the fans always want more!

They will get more. It will be momentous for us. You'll see.

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years? What are your long-term goals for the band?

I see us doing what we do on a larger scale. Being more respected.

I'm curious as to how you feel about the way music sales have changed, such as online sales and illegal downloading. Do you feel like this improes the way that music is purchased and reaches your fans ears?

Definitely. It makes it more accessible.

Do you think that the future of CD and vinyl sales will eventually be completely replaced by online music sales?

No, because there will always be that niche market for vinyl.

If each of you could colaborate with one artist or band, who would it be?

Mikey: Dustin Kensrue
Zach: Kendrick Lamar
Jeremy: Tony Iommi
Bryan: Hans Zimmer
Jesse: DJ Premier

If each of you could pick one place to travel/tour to, where would it be?

Mikey: Hawaii
Zach: The Beach in the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio
Jeremy: New Zealand
Bryan: Japan
Jesse: Paris

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If you don't know this band and their music, please do yourself a big favor and get acquainted right now. You don't even have to thank me. Let the music speak to you like it did to me. It might be one of the best things you do for yourself! Buy the music if you like it. Support them! I can't stress how important that is.

Find them on their website, Facebook, and Twitter.


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