So-Cal based quartet The Millennial Club have just released their highly anticipated 6-track EP, summer nights. Andres Owens, lead singer and guitarist of the band, says that summer nights “embodies a true and honest version of ourselves captured over the course of many little moments throughout our lifetime.”
Not shying away from the realities of being in a relationship and the feeling of allowing yourself to be vulnerable with another person, the honest lyrics within each track are refreshing. I had a chance to talk more with Andres about the creation of this EP and how The Millennial Club has grown these past few years. Read more below.
Reading more about the creation of your EP summer nights, I loved that you decided to make songs that you’ve always wanted to create. I’ve noticed that a lot of artists at this time have done the same thing and, subsequently, released their best works to date. That sentiment rings true to your release. I’d love to learn more about the writing process and how you felt listening back to these tracks for the first time.
While I feel like a lot of writers have a set-in-stone songwriting process, I really don’t have anything consistent about the way I write music – and that was certainly true of this EP. What I mean is I don’t have to have certain parts of a song in order to start writing it the way certain artists do with, say, melodies or chord progressions. I really am open to starting any idea with whatever feels right; case and point, “summer nights” started with just the chords from the chorus. I had those chords written forever ago but didn’t put words to them until about two years ago or so. “girls that ain’t u” came to life with just the chorus melody in mind, and the rest of the tune wrote itself around that. I feel pretty nostalgic but also really happy listening back to all the tracks because, ultimately, I know that we had everything to do with the music we’re releasing and they’re like little snapshots of moments that allow me to look back and reminisce.
In an interview from almost a year ago, you said that the group has a clear vision of what the “TMC sound” is. You also mentioned in a different interview that your music can be defined as dreamy indie pop but there are so many different elements in your work such as jazz and R&B that the band can’t be defined by a single genre. Has this new release solidified this vision, or is it still hard to showcase your sound?
Our music has always been somewhat difficult to describe in the way of “genre” because we’ve truly tried to be untethered to any kind of musical compass. I’ve always tried my best to create and make whatever feels right and at times, that’s been more R&B or hip-hop beats, and at other times, it’s been pop and indie influenced tracks. Ultimately, the way I write music leaves me sort of unaware of whether it’s a TMC tune or something else. Even though I can’t quite put my finger on what makes a song a “TMC” song, by the end of the conception (or creation) process, I usually have a pretty good idea whether it fits as a band track or not.
What was the decision behind releasing “like i do”, “feel the same”, and “summer nights” as singles ahead of the EP?
“like i do” and “summer nights” are both tracks we’ve played live at a ton of shows and have gained new fans through those specific songs, so we felt like we owed it to the people who’ve stuck with us the past few years to give them the studio versions – which we were so unbelievably excited to finish. “feel the same” was a faster song to finish in terms of bringing it from creation-to-completion, but the sonic palette that came with it felt like it belonged with the other two (“girls that ain’t u” and the intro / outro came later). We decided to release what felt right; “feel the same” kinda had this helpless repeatability to it that felt like a first track, and then we wanted something more chill [insert “like i do”]. Lastly, we wanted a real scorcher going into the EP release – thus came “summer nights” :’)
How does it feel knowing that your music can brighten someone’s day?
I think the idea of “helping somebody feel something” is honestly one of the most incredible things you can attain as an artist. It feels incredible getting messages from people – both new and currently existing fans – or talking to people after a show knowing that what you made resonates with them. It’s mind blowing because the things I’m singing about are honestly just things that I’m feeling, emotions I’ve had, places I’ve been, etc. It’s just an unfiltered version of myself. I think knowing that people are connecting and feeling something through that is the most incredible thing ever. It gives me hope that doing this – the “music thing” – is actually worth it. It’s certainly not the only reason why I do it, but it gives me tremendous incentive to keep going, keep persevering, and trying to connect with more and more people on a personal level. <3
I really liked how you broke up the tracks on the EP like “i wish i could tell u” initially being part of “like i do”. It really adds to the overall listening experience. What environment or headspace should your audience be in when first listening to this project?
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of music being a journey, and while we somewhat did that with “She’s So Insane”, I wanted to go deeper with this record and make it even more cohesive and connected. I don’t think people have to be in any particular headspace or environment when they listen to the record for the first time, but I hope they feel the threads connecting all the songs to one another – lyrically, sonically, conceptually – and that they resonate with the emotions we tried to piece together. In an odd way, I think as long as it makes people feel ~something~ real, then I’ve done my job. I’m not sure if that’s necessarily feelings of love, heartache, sadness, longing, or something in between, but if it’s genuine and real, then I’m grateful.
Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
Honestly, just thank you so much for supporting us. Whether you’re a newer fan that heard about us more recently or you’re someone who’s been listening since back in 2017, we appreciate and love you. In the most real and genuine way possible, we COULD NOT do this without you, and we are so grateful that you give our music a chance. We truly feel so blessed to have people reaching out and connecting with us from all over the world. One day when we’re through this pandemic, I promise we’ll make our rounds to meet you, give you hugs, play you our music, and connect with you. Until then, reach out, stay safe, drink water, give your parents a hug, tell them you love them, and never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. If you believe you can, you can. To the moon and back again, we love you. – TMC <3
The Millennial Club
