Following on from the release of their much-loved LP 'What We've Called Ugly' last year, Minneapolis-based outfit Streetlight Eyes have now returned to deliver their sweeping new single 'i'm having problems getting dressed'.
Channelling a wonderfully rich and dreamy direction from start to finish, 'i'm having trouble getting dressed' makes for a wonderfully vibrant listen. With its airy production, euphoric textures, and soaring hooks throughout, we can't wait to find out what they come out with next.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with Andrew Bailey from the group to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The acoustic guitar. My dad was a folk musician so I grew up surrounded by them. Although I've moved into more electronic production, the origin of nearly every song I've written has been singing alone with a steel string late at night.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Actually the first music I really fell in love with was Japanese Pop and Rock. When I was 8 my older sister started burning me CDs of my favorite theme songs from anime we would watch together. The explosive and joyful energy of those soundtracks amped me up more than anything else in the world, and that really taught me the emotional power of music.
What was the first album you remember owning?
American Idiot by Green Day.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Solo by Frank Ocean. I always drift towards heavier subject material in my music, and I deeply envy the carefree abandon of songs like this.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I think the most important part of writing music is living a beautiful life, and learning to see the beauty in any aspect of life. I'm not sure that I ever actively "try" to write music, I believe creative expression is a natural byproduct of fascinating experience. If it isn't happening naturally you have to put your mind and body into new spaces.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Aries and brakence are two of my favorites recently, I think hip-hop and emo adjacent pop music is a direction I want my sound moving towards in the future.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Bright Eyes. The songwriting of Conor Oberst has had not just an influential, but a borderline parental impact on my own. He has written things that haven't just changed my outlook on music, they've changed my outlook on life.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I recently saw a fan tattooed lyrics from my song "Headphones" because it meant so much to him, and helped him process trauma. It's the connection. It's validation that processing my own emotions through art does in fact aid others in doing the same. That brings me endless joy.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The inherent lack of balance. Life will always be throwing new challenges at you, and I think rolling with those punches while simultaneously trying to maintain relationships, work a day job, create, promote, and take proper care of oneself is nearly impossible. Every artist giving it their all is making serious sacrifices to be successful, and I don't think that gets talked about very frequently.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
"Confidence is a habit, not a trait." Even the most successful musicians have dealt with countless rejections, and I think your trajectory in the industry is greatly contingent on your ability to stay confident after being ignored or told "no". I honestly think this persistence may be a greater separator between the successful and the unsuccessful than actual talent or ability, simply because the former is more rare than the latter.
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Streetlight Eyes' new single 'i'm having trouble getting dressed' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.