Future Monarchs [Interview]

BY ALEX ZINOVIEFF
MONDAY, 30TH SEPTEMBER 2013

We had a chat with Chicago pop, indie rock band Future Monarchs. Read about their feelings on the current state of the music industry, Brendan Benson and times on the road.

To someone who had never heard, or heard of, you, how would you describe yourselves and the music you make?

I'd say it's power pop/indie rock/alt country with splashes of electronic dance music. All in all it's rock ‘n roll, but no one ever gets away with saying that nowadays.

You’re from Chicago, a city with a massive music scene, and musical heritage. Has this affected you as a band at all?

A lot of our favorite bands call Chicago their hometown, and there's also a huge, thriving local scene. A lot of our friends are in great local bands, and we'd be lying if we said it doesn't affect us somehow. I don't think it's overt, but I'm sure Chicago sneaks in there subconsciously.

How would you describe the experience of playing live?

I love playing live. There's no other thing like it. I feel a bit anxious before a show, but once we start playing that disappears.

You’ve been playing live with Brendan Benson recently. What has this been like? Can you tell us a story from the road?

I play bass in Brendan's band, so I've known him for a while now. Playing on the road with him is always a good time, and it was doubly cool bringing Future Monarchs along. I think the 2 bands are very different in some ways but very similar at the core. Story from the road? There are too many. Driving on the left side of the road for the first time was a trip - going to Amsterdam and experiencing that whole thing was great. The other dudes in Brendan's band have seen and done some amazing things, so having a beer with them and hearing some of their tour stories is always a good time.

If I were to turn on your iPod now, what would be playing?

You would hear Begin by Millennium.

Your first EP ‘Weird Weather’ came out in 2012. What are your plans for the next release?

We're recording our 1st full length right now at a studio we helped build in Chicago. It's produced and engineered by us, and Josh Shapera and Pat Sansone. Hopefully it's out early next year.

How did you all meet?

I lived across the street from Bobby and met him when I was five. I met Justin in middle school and Kevin in high school. Justin used to live in the same town as Billy before moving to my town which is how we know Billy.

Do you think it is a good time to be in a band?

I think the current state is bad for the bands, monetarily speaking, but speaking as a music fan, I think it's a great time. There has never been so much great music. But being in a band right now, I've definitely seen how it can be rough to get by.

If you could work with any musician or band, alive or dead, who would it be?

I would want to work with Paul McCartney. Not just because the Beatles are my favorite band but because he seems like he'd be nicer than John.

Where did the name future monarchs come from?

Smashing 2 words together over and over again - I think we liked the ambiguity of it.

Here is a taster of what Future Monarchs make.