An Interview With The LA-Based Alternative-Pop Duo, THE HABITS On New Music and More!

Los Angeles alternative/pop duo The Habits recently released their debut EP as a duo on June 14th. “Love You” was the first single out from the collection.

“’love you’ was never meant to be recorded,” vocalist Wolf Bradley explained. “I wrote the chorus a while back and basically forgot about it. We were in the studio and I was playing old demos and when it started, the room lit up. Musically it’s the most ambitious song we’ve made so far, referencing the likes of Peter Gabriel to Earth, Wind, and Fire. The verses needed to be rewritten and I decided to approach them, lyrically, in a Weezer-esque way. I wanted it to walk that line of cheesy, but be completely self aware. The track journeyed from a forgotten gem to the most honestly fun representation of this band so far. Although I have a tendency to wallow in love, I celebrate it too. As a human, it’s our duty to be good and decent to the ones we love. I take my job very seriously…and my job is to love you.”

The Habits met each other in the blue-collar town of San Pedro, just far enough away from the glamour of the Hollywood glow to be isolated. Comprised of singer/guitarist Wolf Bradley and drummer Andrew Macatrao, The Habits ground their music into bite-size melodies that are impossible to get out of your head. Their music is accompanied by slightly melancholic lyrics that tell a story of love, loss, and everything in between. Their alt/pop sound is unique to them but stems from incongruous avenues of inspiration. From Maroon 5 to Cage the Elephant, The Habits’ music makes you want to dance and hits you hard in the feels. The duo has grown up together in Southern California and are more like brothers than band members. Playing pretty much every bar, club, basement, and alleyway in LA, they’ve honed in on their live show skills, giving their audience a lively and fun show experience.

Connect With The Habits Here:

Official Website: www.thehabitsband.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehabitsofficial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/habitstheband

Instagram: www.instagram.com/habitstheband

Learn more about The Habits in the following All Access interview:

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

Wolf: Thank you for interviewing us. We really appreciate it. Well, today we are going to practice and then probably hit up Ortega 120 for taco Tuesday. They have the best Margaritas.

Now that we are well into the 6th month of the year, how would you say that 2019 is treating the band so far? What are some goals that you have for this year? How close are you to reaching them?

Wolf: This year feels great. In February, we recorded our debut EP with Courtney Ballard and since then it’s just been preparing for the release of it.

Andrew: All our first half of the year goals have been fulfilled. We wanted to make an EP that we’re proud of and we did it. I think this first half was all about creating and preparing and the second half is going to be all about playing shows and getting this new music to as many people as possible.

Wolf: A big goal we have for this year is to start touring and I believe we’re closer to that than we’ve ever been.

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this band together? Has anything surprised you about this musical journey so far?

Wolf: We met at my parents ballet school in the summer of 2007. We were not quick to become friends, actually. We were almost like ballet rivals haha! Our friendship started when we realized that we both loved music and played instruments.

Andrew: We had our first practice in Wolf’s garage. We didn’t plan on it or anything. It just happened organically.

Wolf: We figured out that we loved playing together from that first time and have never stopped since. The most surprising thing for me is how little Andrew and I argue haha.

Andrew: We’ve been room mates for almost 10 years now and have really never had a huge fight.

Wolf: Always brothers.

How do you think your hometown has influenced the sound and how you both carry yourselves in this band?

Wolf: Being from a small town outside of LA has really shaped our identities as a band of individuals. We grew up so isolated from the “Hollywood” life and sounds. It forced us to figure out who we are and what sound we wanted to have.

Why would you say that you two work so well together? Where is one of you weak where the other is strong and vice-versa?

Andrew: We get along so well as friends, it carries over into our music.

Wolf: We have so much fun playing together and we are both such hard workers. We understand that to make this happen and get the best product out of ourselves, we have to devote so much time, energy, and determination to it. I think I’m a big picture guy and Andrew is the devil in the details guy. So, together we keep each other in check and always headed forward.

Let’s talk about your newest single “Love You.” What was the inspiration for this track? How would you say that it prepares listeners for more music from you and your upcoming EP?

Wolf: This track is special. It was the last song completed for the album and probably the most ambitious song, musically, we have to date. I wrote the chorus for it a while back and always thought it had potential. We stumbled upon it while sifting through demos and we knew instantly it had to be on the EP. The song is fun and it’s a great introduction to the whole vibe of the EP. We wanted to create something celebratory for the listeners to just have a great time listening to.

What was it like making this forthcoming EP? Were there any expected challenges or surprises along the way? How will you celebrate the release of it?

Wolf: Making this EP reminded me of when we first started this band. It was hyper focused and just locking ourselves in a room and creating. We already had the songs basically written, but we got to build them out. Our producer, Courtney Ballard, was like a third member. We were trying any production ideas we had no matter how crazy they were.

Andrew: A lot of times the direction we took was effortless and the song dictated where it went. To celebrate it, we are having an all ages EP release show at Chain Reaction on June 29!

Any plans to make music videos for songs on this album?

Wolf: We just released a video for “love you” and we have another video coming out with the EP. We love these songs and want to showcase them in all mediums. Never know, might be even more videos on the way.

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

Andrew: Definitely performing.

Wolf: That’s a tough one for me. I love both equally for different reasons.

What has been a favorite show of yours to date? What do you think makes an ideal performance for this band? Where are you excited to play at next?

Wolf: The Roxy.

Andrew: That’s what I was gonna say haha

Wolf: It was sold out and we felt really lucky to be on the bill. Even though we were the opener, there was already 300 kids there. None of them knew who we were, but we won them over. That was an amazing feeling. The best shows to play are the ones where the audience came to have fun. There’s nobody standing there acting too cool or something like that.

Andrew: I’m so excited to play at Chain Reaction. It’s a legendary venue where a lot of my favorite bands growing up played.

How do you think being musicians and in this band gives you all the most joy in life today?

Wolf: I get to write and play music with my best friend. What more could you ask for?

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

Wolf: Even though I don’t think our music comes from a politically charged place, I believe that there is a band out there making the next “American Idiot” and I’m here for it. They way we rebel or channel this climate into our music is by having fun. There’s enough sadness and terrible things happening right now. We want to be a vessel of escape.

Who would you love to work with in the future? Who are some of your favorite artists right now? What do you think would be a dream collaboration for this duo?

Wolf: I’d love to work with The 1975. That’s a dream. Same with Post Malone.

Andrew: We already got Matt from Reel Big Fish to play the horns on “love you”! That is so cool! I also think a Run The Jewels collaboration would be dope.

Where would you love to hear your music being played? A TV show, a movie, in your favorite store, etc…?

Wolf: I want our music to be played anywhere and everywhere, but I think it would be so cool if our song was chosen to be the theme song of an HBO show or something like that…also Kidz Bop maybe?

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

Wolf: I just want people to have a great time and escape the world listening to this new EP. I want everyone to feel their feelings and channel into something positive.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about your music?

Andrew: We can’t wait for this EP to drop. It’s been a long time coming and we’re so proud of it.

Wolf: We hope you have as much fun listening to it as we had making it and we can’t wait to see you sing along live.