LA-based rock band Pacific Radio have one hell of a year ahead of them. After kicking off 2017 with the release of their new EP, Kitchen Table alongside a music video for the EP’s title track, the four-piece are already gearing up to release a full-length album later this summer. In the meantime, they can be found playing shows including a slot at Bottle Rock Festival in Napa Valley.
We recently caught up with the band to talk about Kitchen Table, the inspiration behind their new music video and their big plans for 2017.
Interview by Shannon Shumaker
Can you tell us a little bit about Pacific Radio for any readers who may not be familiar?
Kyle Biane [guitar]: We are a 4 piece band from Los Angeles.
Joe Stiteler [bass]: Our inspiration comes from the earth, the stars, the desert sands and the mountain air. And chicks. Mostly chicks.
You guys just released your new EP, Kitchen Table at the beginning of the year! What do you hope listeners will take away from the EP?
Joe Robinson [guitar, vocals]: Air. I hope it encourages air guitars, air drums, and singing into an air mic, “And it breaks my heart that she’ll never be with me!” And maybe tears. Euphoric miming followed by moderate sadness.
Joe Stiteler: We hope our listeners feel invincible after listening to the EP. Not in the bath-salt sorta way, more so in the “these guys make music & follow their hearts, so why can’t I?” sorta way. The more people follow their hearts, the less likely they are to go on a murder spree.
Kyle Biane: We had a lot of fun making the EP. There are lots of small details in each song. I am hoping that people can listen to it multiple times and hear more and more in the songs.
What was the best part about working on the songs on Kitchen Table?
Joe Robinson: I appreciate how the band works together in the studio, especially with Eric Weaver (producer) he’s open and extremely patient with all the dumb ideas I throw at him. Some even work.
Hyke Shirinian [drums]: The recording process for me is always a blast.
Joe Stiteler: I like the recording days, and watching my fellow bandmates kick ass in the studio. At shows and in rehearsals it’s hard to hear the intricate little parts that we’re all playing; getting into the studio allows me the opportunity to hear and see the specific little details that I might not see on stage or in practice.
Kyle Biane: For me the best part was getting to dive into the overdub additional element stuff. Recording the basic tracks with the band is a blast, but digging into string parts, acoustic guitars, pianos and other uncharted territory/ instruments is always a fun adventure.
What was the most challenging?
Kyle Biane: Knowing when to stop or when we have went too far with an idea. We operate, along with our producer Eric Weaver, with a good checks and balance system. Even so, it’s sometimes hard to know when to stop while we are building a song.
Joe Robinson: I agree with Kyle. You need to know when to call it. EVERY song doesn’t need a mellotron flutes and 3 part vocal harmonies. Some definitely do though.
In addition to the EP release, you also just dropped the music video for “Kitchen Table.” The video looked like it was a ton of fun to film, too! Where did the inspiration come from?
Joe Robinson: Sometimes girls throw your shit out the window. And sometimes you miss the shit more than the girl.
Joe Stiteler: We started with the idea of a day-in-the life of a rockstar frontman; his morning, his place, his calsones. Then we set out to tell the breakup story of the song and show as much live performance as possible.
Kyle Biane: It came from a few places. It was actually our editor, Zach Driscoll, who came up with the rough idea. Then our director, Caleb King, put in the work and really made the idea come to life.
What about “Kitchen Table” as a song made you want to create a visual to go along with it?
Joe Robinson: It was an obvious sentiment that was easy for the director to visualize. A lot of times you think of the good vs bad in a relationship. Others you say, “Man that was a completely horrible experience, AND I’m down a tape deck.”
Kyle Biane: There was a decently strong narrative in the lyrics of the song. We have never been fans of overly literal videos, but the idea of a crazy ex girlfriend breaking a tape deck seemed like it would be fun to do.
Even though you guys are still celebrating the release of the EP, you’re also gearing up to release a full-length later this year, as well. Do you have any goals in mind for your new music?
Joe Robinson: I think we’re up to a good spot where we know what to bring to the party. Sometimes hummus, other times Fireball. Usually both.
Joe Stiteler: Yeah, we want our full-length to match up with one of the Bourne Identity movies, not sure which one yet. Hopefully not the Jeremy Renner one, let’s face it.
Kyle Biane: We are always trying to discover new methods and techniques for recording. I think we have a standing goal of try everything and not settle for anything that does not make us excited to be working.
You’ve got a few shows coming up, including BottleRock in Napa Valley this May! Who are you most excited to see at BottleRock?
Hyke Shirinian: So much to see! Taking the headliners out of the equation, I’m stoked to catch the Silversun Pickups again.
Joe Robinson: Modest Mouse has some incredible hooks. I’m a fan.
Joe Stiteler: WARREN G!!! G-Funk, where rhythm is life, and life is rhythm.
Kyle Biane: I think Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is a pretty big deal.
If someone is just seeing Pacific Radio for the first time at one of these upcoming shows, what would you like them to take away from your life performance?
Joe Robinson: Air. (refer to question #1)
Joe Stiteler: We want their quads and glutes fatigued from gyrating all over the place. We want the soles of their shoes a little more worn than when they came in. We want their necks a bit worked from bobbing or banging along. We want the pads of their thumbs moved to like/follow us on all their social media platforms.
Hyke Shirinian: I think the raw energy is what I’d take away.
Kyle Biane: Hopefully they get a couple of the songs stuck in their head… not for too long, that can be annoying. It is a pretty high energy show, so hopefully they dance or jump a little too.
When can fans be on the lookout for more new music or upcoming tour dates?
Joe Stiteler: Full-length mid Summer!!!
Kyle Biane: We are about to announce a west coast tour for May and are will be out in Austin, TX in March.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Joe Stiteler: Every day is a gift.
Kyle Biane: Thank you!
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