With their bigger and better first full length dropping later this year in October, Fort Lean are more on top of their game than ever. The band recently released “New Hobbies” from the album, titled Quiet Day, a track that is upbeat, fast paced, and the product of some heavy dentist drugs (no seriously). We had the chance to chat with Fort Lean recently about Quiet Day, cover songs and the future of the band. Check out the full interview and a stream of “New Hobbies” below!
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about Fort Lean, for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to check you out yet?
We are an excellent band with five guys in it that plays rock songs that make you feel really good and really weird.
Having known one another for over ten years, how do you feel that helps the way you work and write songs together as musicians?
We finally understand how to play off each others strengths as songwriters and performers, as well as in the studio. And if it gets contentious or emotional, as it can when you make a lot of music together, we have our best friends right there to smooth things out.
You guys are getting ready to release your new album, Quiet Day in later this year in October – what about the album are you most excited for listeners to hear?
Im excited for our fans that pick up the vinyl to listen to the whole album at once.
What do you think sets Quiet Day apart from your previous releases?
It sounds bigger and better, and it’s finally a full size, complete piece of work that hopefully our fans can listen to and find out who we are now that we finally have the freedom to make an full length album that realizes some of the aspirations we’ve had all along.
Did you have any major goals in mind when writing and recording the album?
To make a record that we would want to listen to, that we wont get sick of playing, that our friends and family would want to put on at a party, or that someone in another country would want to cheer themselves up with on a lonely rainy day.
You also recently released “New Hobbies” from the album – can you tell us a little bit about the song?
I wrote it while I was still reeling from some heavy duty dentist drugs, and its about why you shouldn’t sleep with your bosses daughter or let your parents catch you smoking pot.
What makes a song “single material” to you guys?
If our friends and our business associates both like it.
What would you like to be able to accomplish with Quiet Day, or just your music in general? What would you like someone to feel when walking away from a Fort Lean show?
I want them to feel like hopping in the van with us to come to the rest of the shows on our tour. And I want to make music my job forever.
I know you guys have recently been doing quite a few cover songs lately, so what do you think the ultimate song to cover would be?
Probably something by The Beatles. If you could make it sound as good as them then you would know you might be doing something right. Not that that is totally possible.
After Quiet Day drops, what are your plans for 2015 looking like?
More shows. More songs. More videos. More food. More drinks. More yogurt.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I love u.
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UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
w/ Dave Monks
06/15 Washington, DC @ Black Cat DC Backstage
06/16 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
06/25 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
06/26 Hamilton, ON @ Casbah Lounge
06/27 Ottawa, ON @ House of TARG
07/08 Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bear’s Place Inc
07/09 Philadelphia, PA @ MilkBoy Philadelphia
w/ CHAPPO
07/14 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
07/17 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
07/18 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
07/21 – San Antonio, TX @ 502 Bar
07/22 – Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock
07/23 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs BBQ Jr.
07/24 – Dallas, TX @ Dada