You know, it's funny how a simple act of play can lead to something extraordinary. As Steven Johnson puts it, "Play is one of the primary ways we discover and invent new things." And that's exactly how it all began for me.
I remember meeting this one friend in the neighborhood, playing music in the heart of South Brooklyn. From there, word started to spread about who to jam with and where to book gigs in the city. The music was alive in the streets, the energy palpable.
Susan The Boy Scout my second EP, was a departure from my first release, Sunday Theory. They were like siblings in my musical journey. My brother, Mike Strandberg, has been my constant companion on every project, co-writing and creating with me. But Susan The Boy Scout was special. I decided to use Mike's Tascam 4-track, finding inspiration to record it right in my parents' apartment with a few mics and loop pedals.
Meeting Thomas Pittili, one of the talented Pitillis’, was a turning point. We co-wrote this EP, infusing it with the spirit of those high school days. The influence of Bjork's Vespertine and Yo La Tengo was unmistakable.
No one was watching over us, dictating what we should or shouldn't do. It was liberating. I recall realizing that I was diving deeper into my craft, embracing the abyss of music creation and art-making, and finding immense joy in collaboration.
I'm endlessly grateful to everyone who supported us, who bought that CD-R on tour or in the mail, and to my friends. A special shoutout to James Flames for showing me the way and teaching me the importance of staying true to your art.
Just a few years later, we recorded in The Walkmen's Marcata Studios and crafted From Sumi to Japan produced by Chris Bracco on Triple Crown Records.
Now, as I reflect on this conversation, it's been two decades since that release. Time has a way of slipping by, but the music remains a timeless echo of those moments.
Thank you.
- Bonz