Following on from the release of their 2018 single 'Hate Myself', which landed on NPR's New Music Friday Playlist, US alt-poppers Babe Club now return to preview their forthcoming debut EP 'Remember This Feeling' with their new offering 'Together'.
Described by The Head and The Heart's Jonathan Russell as "a punk Sheryl Crow", 'Together' sees them take their bright and diverse aesthetic to a brand new heights. With its breezy guitar hooks, sweeping rhythm, and soaring vocals, this new delight sees them comeback in stellar form with a solid and captivating sound.
So with their new release proving to be huge success, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Corey - I started playing guitar at age 13 after my friend taught me how to play the bass line for “Feel Good Inc.” I couldn’t get away from the guitar after that. I learned Metallica solo, after Metallica solo!
Jenna - I started playing the piano when I was 7, mostly couldn’t stop playing 1000 miles by Vanessa Carlton. I had a teacher who modified that piano part because my hands were too small. I also played clarinet in the band until I was 14.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Jenna- Most of my songs are autobiographical, so I get a lot of inspiration from my emotional states throughout the years. I get inspired mostly talking to people or listening to podcasts. I think listening to other artists' music and feeling their energy is also a big inspiration. I’ll hear a certain production or tempo of a song, and say I want to write a song that feels like that.
Corey- Bach and Beethoven are my main inspirations.
What kind of music did you love as a teenagers?
Jenna - My favorite band was Arcade Fire. I saw them play at Madison Square Garden and tried to write my college essay on my experience going to that show, but my guidance counselor said no. I was a big fan of bands like St. Vincent, Of Montreal, Sufjan Stevens, Death Cab and Manchester Orchestra. I also loved classic singers like Ella Fitszgerald, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra.
Corey - Oh my gosh, music that i don’t ever listen to anymore. I used to be really into Metal/metalcore & many other associated micro-genres lol. Bands like Underoath, As I lay Dying, & August Burns Red. Jenna listened to way better music growing up than I did.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Corey - Fade to Black by Metallica. It’s really embarrassing now, but i remember feeling so incredible when i finally mastered those guitar solos.
Jenna - My brother is also a musician and when I grew up I watched him perform in NYC with his band, Gabriel The Marine. There wasn’t a specific song that made me want to be a musician. I always wanted to sing, but I was too shy in high school, so I sang along to his songs in the audience. Watching him made me want to express myself in that way too. He has a new indie pop project called Local Nomad, you would be sad if you didn’t check it out.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Corey - Honestly I don’t really listen to music first thing in the morning. I am trying to get into the habit of listening to a podcast every morning.
Jenna - My own songs haha. I usually try to sit down and expand upon whatever I’m writing-- production wise or lyrically.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Jenna- Pretty much every song I’ve written is about a person in my life, myself, or the lack of people in my life. I can’t even count anymore.
Corey - I guess i’m not much of a songwriter. But I like producing/performing on songs about people in other people’s lives.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
Corey - That one time Jenna and I did an arena tour (as members in a different band) with the Lumineers. That was pretty memorable!
Jenna- We played a show to about 6 people on a rooftop, and ended up meeting our producer for the new EP, Dan Gleason. Just goes to show, you never know who you're going to meet!
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Corey - I really love working on videos/color grading. It’s kind of a fun little side hustle. I also really love to read books whenever I can find the time.
Jenna - I’ve recently started directing videos for our songs, so I’ve been learning about lighting and watching more movies to get inspiration. I like getting together with friends and cooking a big meal.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Corey - I’ve always had the mentality that I don't want a backup plan. Music is the only thing I’m passionate about. So honestly, I don’t really have an answer for this.
Jenna- I went to college for psychology, and spent a few summers working in my dad’s physical therapy clinic. I never thought I would be pursuing music. I almost applied for grad school when I graduated but I ended up touring in a band for 3 years. I actually still struggle a lot in missing that side of me. Writing songs, and feeling emotion is psychology in a way, but I’m still trying to figure how to incorporate those parts of me into my life now.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
Corey - Follow the feels. If you’re writing/performing/recording something, and you feel one with the universe, or feel like you're transcending, chase that. Don’t do it for any other reason. Because that path of genuine inspiration is going to lead you to being yourself, and encountering originality is always refreshing.
Jenna- It’s okay to be your own critic if that means accepting that growth takes a tremendous effort and a good bit of time. It’s not okay to be your own critic if you’re self hating, judging, and blocking your own creativity. Work everyday at what you want to achieve, and when you look back you will have done a lot, and you will be closer to the artist you always saw yourself being.
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Babe Club's new single 'Together' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.