An Interview With The Four-Piece Band WEATHERS, Known For Their Breakout Single, ‘Happy Pills’!

Photo Credit- Bella Howard

The four-piece band Weathers has been making a name for themselves in the alt rock space. Weathers hit the scene hard with their single “Happy Pills” [+14M streams] – which was the most added song on alternative radio on its impact date, also received the most adds for a new artist in the 2010s, and peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The song was included on their latest album Kids in the Night, which released June 2018 via RCA and was produced by Tim Pagnotta (WALKTHEMOON, NeonTrees).

The band has toured extensively, opening for the likes of Saint Motel, Nothing but Thieves, and Dreamers. Weathers are embracing their reinvented sound and currently working on new music.

Learn more about Weathers in the following All Access interview-

Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day? //

Today is show day, just finished sound check in Missoula, MT. We have a bit of downtime before doors so we are just getting in some rest.

Now that a new year has started, what musical goals does this band have for 2019? What are you most proud of about 2018? Do any of you make any New Years Resolutions? //

Musical goals for 2019 would be get our radio push going, which we haven’t gotten around to yet. We’ll be releasing new songs throughout the year as well which we’re super excited about. Of course, more and more shows. More headlining, more festivals, all of it. 2018 was definitely releasing our debut full length album followed by our tour with Dreamers. New Years Resolutions, not really, not something that I really think about. Let’s just say, take over the world and headline Wembley Stadium.

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could agree on? //

I’m not sure how to answer that first questions, it all came together rather organically and over time, I can’t think of any singular moment where there was that “a ha!” moment. The name was a struggle, we went through quite a few names before settling on Weathers. I’d say, it took months to be cool with that name but we all felt good about it and haven’t looked back.

How do you think your hometowns have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? //

Not sure if our hometowns have to much of an effect on our sound, we’ll find influence through different bands to be honest. We all come from good support systems from our families, specifically our parents. You could say it gives us a sense of comfort having that in our lives, so we carry ourselves with a sense of gratitude of those who support us, whether that be family, friends and of course, the fans.

How has your various musical backgrounds helped shape the sound of this band? //

The 80’s new wave music, stuff that came long before we were born. The Cure, The Clash, Thompson Twins and Oingo Boingo to name a few. We also love The Killers, The 1975, Sir Sly…all of those bands we’re big fans of.

How do you think that you have grown as a band since forming? What has remained the same? //

We’ve always been energetic on stage and feel most comfortable on stage, but lately our live show has also conjured an emotional experience as well. Just as well more focused, more poise as to how we present ourselves. Of course off stage, we’re all awkward, but come say hi anyhow.

Let’s talk about your latest album, “Kids In The Night.” What was it like putting this collection together? How will you celebrate the release of this second album? //

Kids In The Night was a very long and tedious process. Over 18 months, we basically had to figure out how to grow from Happy Pills and to continue to figure out who we were as young adults and how that translates to our sound…if that makes sense. When Happy Pills came out, we were all teenagers, we had a lot of things to figure out and how that would translate into our first album.

What was the inspiration for your newest song, “Dirty Money”? //

Dirty Money is a song about what it’s like being in a band at a young age, fighting your egos and demons. Being in a band with 3 of your best friends can be so trying and difficult at times and also very rewarding. It’s a constant tug of war and we felt like writing a song that captured those emotions.

Generally, how do you all go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately? //

It’s a mix of both, we’re all involved in some capacity. Sometimes we write with friends of ours who are outside of the band. Both Cameron’s were the primary writers with collaboration from some of our friends for Kids In The Night.

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere? //

Stage, for sure. It’s where we all let loose and and feel most comfortable in our own skin.

How is your current tour going? Where can fans see you perform next? What do you think makes an ideal show for this group? //

Current tour is a lot of fun and been a great way to re-connect with our fans and make some new ones along the way. The bands were on the road with are great, amazing people, which is always a plus. We’ll be doing a short headlining run along the west coast and in Denver in March. Much, much more to come that we can’t quite announce yet but will soon. Ideal show…Wembley Stadium. Red Rocks would be amazing. On tour with bands we love, people we love, that’s always ideal.

Do you find that all of social media and keeping up with your fans has gotten so overwhelming? Or do you rely heavily on others to take care of that for the band? Which platform would you say that you enjoy engaging with the most? //

Photo Credit- Bella Howard

It’s not overwhelming keeping up with fans but what can get tough sometimes is always wanting to give the fans content, which can be hard. It’s scary thinking that if we don’t, folks will forget about us. We take care of all our content, what you see and read is all us. I’d say Instagram and Twitter is our go to for platforms. Instagram is fun for the visual representation and Twitter for quick and unique interactions with fans.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events? //

Regardless of any political status, being in this band is always an escape. The political climate doesn’t affect us, we want to present an hour a night to the fans and to ourselves to get that release, to just dance and forget all the bullshit that’s happening outside of these 4 walls.

What musicians would you love to work with in the future? What artists have really been inspiring this group and your music since day 1? //

Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys and Jack Antinoff for sure, they’re huge inspirations and have done records that we all love. Artists would be The Cure, The Clash, Thompson Twins, The Killers, The 1975, Sir Sly and countless others. We’re huge music fans so the list is a big one for sure.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs? //

The message and what we hope people take away is that it’s okay not to be okay. Have fun, dance through the bad times, embrace them as learning experiences.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about this group? //

Say hi, don’t be strangers, come to a show, hang out, dance with us, we don’t bite…except Brennen.