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InAlternative had the opportunity to interview Naked Brunch, a Chicago-based funk rock band. They recently dropped their latest single "Falling Out of You," which explores the feeling of finally leaving a bad relationship. In this interview, the band discusses this release, their current sound, and pre-show rituals.
Tell us about your latest release “Falling Out of You.” What topics or ideas does this single explore?
Falling Out of You started as a bass line that felt stuck, like tripping over the same crack in the floor again and again, but getting wiser to it every time. When we added guitar and drums, it seemed to explode into this expansive, cosmic territory, especially in the chorus.
The lyrics sort of wrote themselves. It was a way of processing a bad break up. I think we’ve all loved someone who isn’t good for us. Falling into them feels so easy and natural, but you start to lose a sense of yourself inside the relationship. When you realize that it’s time to go, falling out of them feels like ripping yourself from a powerful orbit. It’s a death of sorts. Ultimately the good kind, where there’s room for rebirth, but you gotta pass through the shit first.
How would you describe your current sound? Which of your songs would you recommend to first time listeners?
All four of our members come from such different musical backgrounds. When we started playing together a year ago we made a playlist to get a feel for each other's influences. Immediately we were like, “This is a lot of fun. And it’s a total mess!” There’s Queen, Dua Lipa, Omar Apollo, the White Stripes – it’s a wide net!
Ultimately that’s what makes us unique. Right now, and especially with “Falling Out of You” we’re riding this groovy glam rock Red Hot Chili Peppers wave. But our next single “Kiddie Pool” couldn’t be more different.
Our first single “Punish Me Good” is this slinky sex-positive funk rock number that feels right on the edge of ska. It’s weird in the best way. We lost our first guitarist over it cause it was too …. Gay? Sexy? Who knows.
What does your process look like when writing/creating music?
It’s different with every song. Some songs just write themselves. Others, we are tweaking and trashing and testing out on audiences until we find the final form. Right now we’re focusing on simplicity. I think starting out, there’s always this pressure (probably self-imposed) to be interesting. And so you write with a lot of complexity and sometimes lose the plot of what the song is. It’s not a bad thing, but after that you have to learn how to edit out what isn’t necessary to the song's essence.
Tell us about your experience with the Chicago music scene. How would you describe it? What are the best parts about it?
It’s been stupid fun! The bands here take themselves seriously but in the most generous, chill way. So people are pretty dedicated to making good music, but it’s not so cut throat. Almost every band we’ve played with just wants to put on a good night of music when they play live. It’s very inspiring and makes reaching out to build a ticket super easy.
What was the most memorable show you’ve played, and what was great about it?
We were putting together a small tour and started it off in this DIY space in Madison. It was an insane basement party - a complete descent into a sweaty, glowing inferno. The electricity went out three times during one song (our first single “Punish Me Good”). We had them all get on their knees and sing the chorus along with us to finish the song a capella. People were hanging from the rafters, crowdsurfing. We performed a mock baptism (or maybe an exorcism?) during our last number. It was pure chaos, which we love.
Do you have any pre-show rituals? How do you relax or celebrate after a live show?
It’s different for every member. Our singer runs around the block and does burpees like a maniac. Our guitarist runs through his pedal board notes. Our bassist looks zenned out upon arrival. And our drummer is always frantically piecing together his kit like a one-man pit crew.
We have this sort of wild Willy Wonka energy on stage, but off we’re very low-key. After a show, we’re wiped. Like we leave all of our party on stage. Sometimes we go out for a beer after and talk about our love lives. It’s all very chill.
If you could get any artists to tour with you, dead or alive, who would be on the bill?
Kiss the Tiger from Minneapolis and Scam Likely from Milwaukee. Two bands not enough people have heard of. That tour would be dripping.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Music. Evolution. Disintegration. More music. Probably a song about our bassist’s cat, Coyote.
Keep up with Naked Brunch:
Stream Falling Out of You: