newfamiliar is making a name for themselves, their light vocals and effervescent melodies are accented with vulnerable, honest lyrics. They're definitely a band that needs to be on your radar. We talked to them about how they got their start, their songwriting process, and what's next.
How did you guys form as a band?
newfamiliar: We met through the music scene in Wakefield. Will and Danny are the same age both born and raised in Wakefield but went to different schools. They knew of each other but never played together until Will and I met at a jam night shortly after I moved over from Northern Ireland. Will and I started writing a few songs then we had a jam with Danny one night and things just clicked
Tell me why you went with “How Can I” as the debut single?
newfamiliar: As a finished production and piece of music it just felt right. The harmonies, the guitars, the heart on your sleeve lyrics, and the melodic nature of the song created a really cinematic experience for me, it just made sense. I suppose the main thing was that if it made sense to us that meant it could make sense to everyone that listens
What’s your songwriting process like?
newfamiliar: Sometimes it’s a lyric that sparks the music other times it’s the music that sparks a melody and then a lyric has to be squeezed into it. It's such a scary experience creating music, you hold on to something too tight and focus too hard it crumbles, you float around in a dream state for too long and you lose the context that makes it a song. The only rule I have when writing is to ask myself how it feels every so often, is that lyric really making me feel something or is it just filling space, is that chord taking me where it feels good, and is that beat complimenting all of this or taking something away?
What’s something you want fans to know about y’all?
newfamiliar: We just want them to know we are working hard to give them more music this year and that we are extremely grateful for their support
What’s next?
newfamiliar: We’ve got another single coming out really soon and can’t wait to get back out playing on tour again
Samantha Fong
"At 15 years old, I begged my mom to take me to Walmart to get Taylor Swift's debut deluxe album and I never turned back. This was my very first entry point to stan fandom. Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee I was exposed to a ton of music - from rapping 3 6 Mafia to bopping to Justin Timberlake's solo discography. Now, in LA have a day job working in nonprofit development, but by night, I'm a full-fledged fangirl. I'll listen to generally any genre, but I'm a sucker for a good pop song. If you ever need someone to scream sing Carly Rae Jepsen's E·MO·TION with, I'm your girl. No, I still have not gotten over the One Direction hiatus. Please continue to respect my privacy. Twitter : samfonggg, Instagram : samantha_fong"
