Almost There: The Journey to almost monday's Debut Album
By: Lanie Kapsalis
The summer season is in full swing and what better way to spend it than at a concert? 777 Collective had the opportunity to catch up with San Diego indie-pop trio almost monday during their run with AJR and Mxmtoon at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ. Together, we chatted about their upcoming debut album, the impact of cover art singles, and their favorite songs of the summer.
777 Collective: I've been a fan for as long as I can remember, and I love hearing about artists' connections with their fans. Is there something fans do, either online or in person, that they might not realize you notice?
Dawson: Recently, someone posted cartoon versions of us, which was hilarious. Meeting fans and realizing how much our music means to them is always a profound experience. Hearing people say, "Your songs helped me through a dark time" or "This song reminds me of my best friends," creates deep memories that fuel our passion for what we do.
You've played several festival sets recently. What's the most fun part about festivals, and what's the most challenging?
Luke: The best part is running around, seeing people, and watching other bands. We’re developing friendships at different festivals, and it’s great to see familiar faces in the touring world. The challenging part is that sometimes it’s chaotic. You have to throw everything up there and hope it works, unlike tours where you have a routine and familiar faces.
Your recent single release cover arts are very exuberant and eye-catching. Who designed them, and are there any stories behind specific ones?
Cole: Dave Bowers, who goes by oldsweaty on Instagram, created the artwork. We followed him for a while and thought his style would be perfect for our single covers, especially on Spotify where the single art is small, so it needs to pop. His striking and eye-catching style is exactly what we wanted.
D: He's a legend. So talented.
You've been on tour with AJR recently. How has that experience been? What’s been the most rewarding part?
D: The first show we played was massive, and playing in arenas was overwhelming. AJR fans are incredibly welcoming and energetic. It's been great to warm up the crowd, especially since AJR’s production is insane.
What’s your favorite coffee or lunch spot in San Diego?
L: I love Vigilante Coffee. It’s a coffee shop that feels like home. For lunch, Board & Brew has amazing sandwiches.
C: The Taco Stand has great tacos too!
What movie would "Tidal Waves" most likely be in?
D: That's a great question! Probably Surf's Up. The soundtrack in that movie is fantastic, and we can see ourselves fitting into that world.
Everyone is eager to know more about your debut album. Does it have a release date? Is it finished?
D: It is finished, and we do have a release date, but we can’t share it yet. It's definitely coming this year.
How does starting a debut album even begin? What are the steps and preparation?
D: We’re always writing music, so we knew we wanted to make a record. It’s not a random decision. As creatives, we write as much as we can, especially with touring. We get about four months at home each year, and we use that time to revisit songs and decide which ones to include.
How many tracks can we expect? Does the album tell a story in the order they are arranged?
D: It’s not a conceptual album, so you don’t need to listen in order to get the full experience. It’s a good mix of who we were, who we are now, and a glimpse of future sounds. It’s a balance that we hope feels cohesive to our fans.
What would you say is the song of the summer right now, and do you think it’s justified?
D: "Espresso" is pretty solidified as the song of the summer. I hear it everywhere.
L: Charli XCX’s new album is all over TikTok.
C: The marketing plan for her album has been amazing.
If your debut album was a fruit, which fruit would it be and why?
L: Orange.
D: Tangerine. Similar.
C: We have watermelon in our new music video.
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