Start Listening To: Foyer Red
For those unfamiliar with your music can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and something about the music you make?
We are Foyer Red and we are based out of Brooklyn and Queens, NY. Our music is constructed by a multitude of perspectives on how to approach an idea sonically. We obviously have some eclectic instrumentation including clarinet, glockenspiel, omnichord, etc, but additionally we all have different musical tendencies that, when married, produce something that none of us could have accomplished individually.
Can you describe your songwriting process?
Many songs start together in a room and evolve from there between the five of us in our own spaces. Lyrics are typically jumpstarted by one person, then the idea is expounded upon by the other two vocalists (for songs that have multiple literate perspectives), creating a multifaceted narrative. Kristina and Elana work a lot around each other melodically, pulling inspirations from the actions of one to the other. Mitch and Marco are the structural operative, and Eric’s basslines tend to be a driving melodic force in songwriting. Mitch often approaches everyone with a guitar backbone idea to start with or songs erupt from genuine in the moment jam sessions.
How has the addition of new members changed the band's sound and dynamic?
We started weird and have stayed weird but the weirdness became differently weird, weirdly.
What was the inspiration behind the track "Plumbers Unite!" and how does it relate to the upcoming album?
The verses are a reflection of the daily grind, traversing the world but reduced to a point-based, ever moving and fast-paced game setting. It’s about objectives and keeping up, sort of tunnel-vision eye on the prize. We all grew up playing video games and have been super influenced by the aesthetics of them. The choruses come from Elana’s experience of being spooked by her Gamecube, having nightmares about the sentience of the console after deleting her game data. Plumbers Unite! was a song that was born from a studio jam and is a reflection of how a lot of the songs on the album were written. It’s the first track on the album and we think it illustrates themes and mechanisms used across.
What has been the biggest challenge in making the transition from playing music online to playing together in the same room?
Maybe keeping things organized?- We often use a whiteboard to structure songs at practice and help develop the arrangement. It’s so much more fun and dynamic being in a room together and being able to feed off of each other’s energy.
Can you talk about the decision to sign with Carpark Records and how that came about?
We were added to a show last second with our now label mates, Ducks Ltd, at the Broadway where Carpark saw us. We started chatting after our performance and sent demos to them the next day. The whole process happened so cohesively and felt very right from the beginning to have our debut on such an established and prolific label like Carpark. We all grew up listening to bands on the label and it is a dream come true to be a part of the family.
How does Foyer Red stand out in the crowded Brooklyn music scene?
It feels like our music can cross over to a lot of different genres; we could easily fit on a punk bill or a twee pop bill. We have a lot of fun with our instrumentation, busting out clarinet, vibraslap, kalimba sounds, wild pedal effects, glued together by three vocalists who sing over and under each other, snaking around to fill their own pocket. This clearly makes us every sound person’s most favorite band to soundcheck. :~)
What can fans expect from the upcoming debut LP, "Yarn The Hours Away”?
Controlled chaos that goes in every direction, overlapping zig zag vocals, glitchy pedal sounds, off kilter time signatures, songs with numerous acts, and a sense of calmness found within.
If your new album were a movie, which would it be and why?
All three Lord of the Rings movies (specifically the extended editions). Throughout the 12 songs on our album there is a lot of love, chaos, compassion, mentions of mythical creatures, and adventure.
Name an artist you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why?
We all love Linkin Park. We were blasting “What I’ve Done” and singing our hearts out on the way back home from our Atlanta show last Friday. Anyone who shows up on the “Now! That’s What I Call Music” compilations (volumes 2 through 8) are other guilty pleasures.
What do you love right now?
Oh, there is a lot. Since we’re on the road and currently in New Orleans right now we would have to say po’boys, pickle plates, balconies, colorful houses, and our lovely friend Mac. Also shoutout to all the amazing bands we’re playing with tonight: The Convenience, Burnt Sugar, and Closebye.
As for non New Orleans related interests, we always love a good aquarium. And sippy-top Essentia.
What do you hate right now?
Being away from our pets, Fig, Fe, Ripper, & Aaloo - shoutout to our pets, we love you!!!!
Are there any other releases you’re looking forward to in 2023?
New Water From Your Eyes, Like a Doll, Bonny Doon & Yours are the Only Ears.
