Friendly Rock ‘N Roll
Short Interview with Diners
Diners is a DIY-pop band that is the brainchild of Tyler Broderick who make “friendly rock ‘n roll songs” featuring a vast cast of fluid bandmembers akin to the band iji. Like ROAR, Diners hail from Phoenix, Arizona, and give a modern-makeover to amiable pop music à la The Beach Boys. They have released four albums including Throw Me a Ten (2012), Always Room (2014), Demo Diary (2011–2015) (2015), and, their latest, It’s All True (2015), in anticipation for their upcoming album Three.
To sample their sound, check out the song “Must Be Nice” from It’s All True about friendly jealousy that is, arguably, the best jealousy has ever sounded.
Also, their music is definitely rabbit-approved. (That’s important, right?)
For fans of feel-good music, DIY-pop, anything from Asian Man and Quote Unquote Records, or current friends and fans of the band looking to learn more about the band, it is awesome to say that Tyler was generous enough to answer nine short-interview questions via Email about the start of Diners, influences, and recommended bands currently making music:
1) Could you explain how Diners was born? How did you come up with your band name, Diners? You also have a lot of guest musicians who have played on-tour — who are the current members and what their roles in the band?
Diners happened in the fall of 2011, after I quit my old band, Hello the Mind Control. I was trying to form a new band, but it wasn’t really happening so I started writing and recording songs as a solo thing and that turned into the first Diners album, Throw Me a Ten.
The name doesn’t have a very interesting story. For a split-second, I was going to name the band “Cowboy Diner” after visiting this cowboy-themed diner called Frontier Restaurant in Albuquerque that my friends and I were pretty stoked on. I ended up going with Diners after that. In the age of search-engines, I wish I would’ve come up with a name that wasn’t so vague, but it’s too late now. Oh, well!
Gosh, as far as who’s “in” the band, Diners has lots of fluid members. I’ve always appreciated the way that Zach Burba, from the band iji, ran their band. I sort of modeled Diners after iji, I guess. It sounds goofy to say, but I feel like I am Diners and my songs are not limited to a specific set of people. I just want to be able to play music with all my friends. Lately, I’ve been playing music with Jill Frensky (omnichord), Tony Di Domizio (bass), Cesar Ruiz (guitar, bass), Mitchell Keaney (drums), Trevor Ducote (drums), and Aaron Ponzo (keyboard). When it comes time to play a show, I’ll just kinda see who’s available to play and go from there. Most of them all have their own bands which is tight.
2) What are your influences (music/books/movies) and, more importantly, how have they influenced you or what have you learned from them?
My all-time favorite songwriters are Katy Davidson (Dear Nora, Key Losers), Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, and Harry Nilsson.
I love how their melodies move around in such a fun way, their harmonies feel so perfectly put together and necessary, and I think their arrangements are fun and clever. Though, as far as inspiration for productivity, I think my biggest influences come from folks in the DIY community. It’s wonderful to be able to watch so many people create and perform. I also think humor is a big influence, too. I’m a big fan of the movies Best in Show, Waiting For Guffman, and A Mighty Wind. Humor is a higher consciousness and I think humor is a spiritual part of how I write songs and decided on arrangements — even if it’s not a humorous song.
3) How has your experience been making a living/money from your music?
Well, I work at my dad’s pool store and that’s how I afford to live. At this point with music, I feel lucky to be in a spot where most of the music can pay for itself, even it if it takes a while. I usually never expect to get paid when playing a local show and touring is always a toss-up. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to put my own money into the gas tank, and I’m grateful for that.
4) What do you think sets you apart from other bands?
Not sure how to answer that one! Beyond genre, everyone is so unique and special and has something cool to say. These are just the songs that come out of my head, and I don’t know why. I’m sure there are tons of bands that sounds super similar, though. Won’t deny that.
I don’t try to write songs — I try to let songs write themselves.
5) Could you describe what has been a memorable or quirky experience touring or playing local shows?
It’s not super recent, but the first experience that comes to mind is from December 2012.
My friend Robert Raya booked an apocalypse-themed fest at a special DIY venue in Phoenix called The Trunk Space. The night was pretty stormy and the power went out a few songs into our set! Someone let me borrow their acoustic guitar and folks from the audience held up their phone flashlights until the power came back on.
It ended up being a really cool and weird time, and I think the audience felt the same way. I love a good-weird time. I think I covered “Sister Golden Hair” by America.
6) I like the song “Must Be Nice” from your EP It’s All True. What was the lyrical inspiration for that song? What was the musical inspiration?
Thank you!
I guess the phrase “must be nice” comes from growing up with my mom and step dad. They’d often say it to each other jokingly, and I guess it was just one of those goofy things that stuck in my brain! I wrote the song with my friend Nick Shively in-mind, but it’s also totally about all my other talented buds, too.
Jealousy is weird. Most of the time it’s pretty silly to feel jealous of your friend’s talents when you know that they’re working hard for their art. I say “most of the time” because there are a lot of real and heartbreaking reasons why someone wouldn’t be able to afford the time and luxury to practice. For the most part, though, society tells you to be jealous. Jealousy is as real as you make it.
Musically, I think I was listening to a lot of Grandaddy at the time. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
7) How did the album artwork for It’s All True come into being? Did you have someone create it or did you make it yourselves?
I assembled it in a few ways! Joshua Redman (Cave Babies, the 5,4,3,2… fun!! radio station) took the photo of me and Tristan that’s on the cover. The photo was taken on New Year’s Eve 2013–14, when we were on tour with Tristan’s band, Dogbreth. I loved that photo and I’ve always wanted to use it for something. Since the EP was mostly recorded by me and Tristan, I thought it would be fitting to have a picture of the two of us. Jill Frensky, my bandmate and partner did the cool watercolor that you see in the background of the cover. And finally, I wrote all the text and drew the doodles on the back.
8) What are some artists making music currently that you would recommend? Any lesser-known bands that you would recommend?
Everyone needs to know: iji, Dogbreth, Remembran, R.Ariel, Triangle Shirtwaist Choir, Amadoo’s Crew, Laurel Freeman, David Jaberi, Filardo, Dragons, Richard Album, Mega Bog, Mommy Long Legs, Bad Haircuts, Cave Babies, Watercolor Paintings/Drawing Water, The Expos, The Yellow Dress, Steady Lean, Try the Pie, Kitten Crisis, Mandarin Dynasty, Ok Vancouver Ok.
9) What advice about making music, touring, and being a band would you give to a young artist today?
Write music for your friends, play shows for your friends, and listen to your friend’s bands. Don’t be afraid to take time on your art, but, on the other hand, there’s something really beautiful about putting out so much music and art that you don’t have time to think about it. Touring can be tight and amazing. Just know that everyone’s first few tours are usually pretty rough and draining, but it gets better if you keep doing it! It’s good to follow your heart because coolness isn’t real and trends die quick. However, the most important thing — be nice!
If you liked the article then hit the ❤ button below, and, if you want to support and learn more about Diners, then check out the links below!
You can buy and listen to their music on Bandcamp here.
Like their page on Facebook here.
Follow them on Twitter here.
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