This New Band Is About To Dominate Your Fall Playlist
We interviewed the band FRENSHIP about their viral hit “Capsize” and upcoming EP.
Assuming you didn’t spend the summer hibernating in your room (and even if you did), you’ve probably heard the song “Capsize.” The electronic hit from L.A. duo FRENSHIP, featuring velvety vocals from Emily Warren, was the unofficial song of summer ’16, due to its warm tones and tropical vibes.
The electro-pop duo, comprised of James Sunderland and Brett Hite, have come a long way from when they first met selling spandex together (everyone starts somewhere, huh?). After independently releasing their first successful hit “Knives” in 2015, they soon followed up with singles “Carpet” and then “Capsize,” which currently has over 100 million streams on Spotify because it’s just that catchy and awesome.
If you’re thirsty for more FRENSHIP, you’re in luck—the duo is releasing their debut EP “Truce” on Sept. 2. Just like “Capsize,” fans can expect to hear smooth beats and a modern sound that has cross-genre appeal. The duo has a good understanding of what makes a song appeal to the masses and how to tap into emotion, but they also enjoy fusing sounds and genres for a fresh angle on every song. This is exactly why “Truce” will be all over your fall playlist—whether you’re doing housework, commuting or getting the party started on a Friday night, “Truce” has something for everyone.
We chatted with Sunderland and Hite about everything from the making of “Capsize” to their three-month tour with Cherub to their favorite songs at the moment!
Dose:
Tell us about the songwriting process behind “Capsize” — what inspired the lyrics, the mood and the theme?
James Sunderland:
We wrote the song with our super talented friend Emily Warren the day she graduated from college about a year and a half ago. She showed up to the session in her cap and gown and played us a voicemail from her Grandma. We all just about teared up and the song took off from there, it really started off of a feeling more than anything.
Dose:
How does “Capsize” differ from the rest of the sound of the EP?
Brett Hite:
One main difference is that there’s a girl singing on it. It’s the only feature we have on the EP. In general, we get bored really quickly with sounds and trends so hopefully each song brings its own unique flare to the body of work.
Dose:
“Capsize” has over 100 million streams on Spotify — what do you think makes a song go viral and enjoyed by the masses?
Sunderland:
Pretty stupid huh?! No idea really. I think the more honest a song is, the higher its chances are of catching on. “Capsize” touches on a lot of universal feelings and sounds current musically so that all probably helps.
Dose:
How do you collaborate on making music?
Hite:
There are no rules. It’s always different. I think the main thing is that we try to do our best each day and keep trying new things until we land on something that we both really love.
Dose:
What was the best thing about working with Emily Warren? Besides Emily, who else did you collaborate with on the EP?
Sunderland:
Emily is amazing at not letting an idea get too precious in a session. She’s great at spending tons of time on something and then letting it go if it moves the song along. And she’s just so damn fun to work with!
We also worked with our good buddy Nick Ruth and these two Norwegians, Aksel and Filip. They’re all very talented folks.
Dose:
There’s a dancey 80s vibe in “Capsize” but it also has a modern feel. Does the rest of the EP cross genres like this?
Hite:
We hope so. We’re such fans of so many different styles of music that we are always trying to stretch “genre-boundaries.”
Dose:
Who are three bands/artists that you’re listening to at the moment?
Sunderland:
- Raffi’s “Apples and Bananas” is one I always revisit.
- LEON
- Lykkie Li
Dose:
“Capsize” is considered the song of the summer—what are some other songs you can’t stop listening to this summer?
Sunderland:
Adele’s “Send My Love,” LEON’s “Nobody Cares” and Miike Snow’s “Genghis Khan.”
Dose:
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Hite:
We’ve been running around so much and working with other folks on things that I really just want to have time to ourselves to just 100% make our stuff without any 3rd party influences.
Dose:
What’s next for you after you release the EP?
Sunderland:
We’re heading out on tour this fall supporting Cherub with BOO SEEKA. Should be a good one! Then we’re most likely off to Europe for some dates early next year. Be on the lookout for an album middle of next year as well!
FRENSHIP’s debut EP “Truce” comes out on Sept. 2. In the meantime, you can check them out on Soundcloud.
