Exclusive Q&A With Phases

Check out Phases’ Exclusive Q&A Below.

Phases is an indie pop band based in Los Angeles, California and features members Z Berg, Michael Runion, Alex Greenwald, and Jason Boesel. Formerly known as JJAMZ, the band is igniting radios with their latest hit “I’m in Love with My Life.” Lead singer Z Berg explains.

All Access: “What was the inspiration behind your positive new single ‘I’m in Love with My Life’?”

Z Berg: “It happened completely as an accident. We were working on a song in the studio (also known as Alex’s living room) and from the kitchen Jason yelled something. Alex stopped what he was doing, jumped up and yelled back, “did you just say ‘I’m in love with my life!?!'” And Jason said, “Nope!” But the phrase just stuck with us. Writing and recording this record was such a truly fun and creative and joyous time; the phrase felt like a perfect little mantra to encapsulate the experience.”

AA: “Why is it important and fun to focus on the positive aspects of life?”

ZB: “Life is difficult and daunting and can beat you down. But at the end of the day… Just look around you! Since I was a little kid I kind of always thought in the back of my mind that I was going to die at any moment so I’ve always made it my mission to be as present and appreciative as possible. I find this world to be overwhelmingly beautiful, no matter its flaws. So keep your eyes peeled!”

AA: “Describe the video making process for the single. Moving and singing in reverse must be difficult.”

ZB: “It sure was difficult! Learning the song backwards took more hours, days, weeks, and “God fucking damnit!”‘s than I care to remember, but by god was it fun to shoot. The shots were very long and very complex so before each take you felt a hundred people take a big breath and just pray nothing went wrong. Terrifying and exciting, as life ought to be.”

AA: “How is the sound for Phases an evolution from your previous project JJAMZ?”

ZB: “JJAMZ didn’t really have a fully formed identity. It started as a side project and the record, Suicide Pact, was recorded over the course of years, while we were all in our other bands, whenever we had a moment between tours. After we finished it and toured it there came a time when we just didn’t know if the band or the sound represented who we were or what we wanted to say. I thought we were dusted. But out of the ashes and disarray came Phases, born from our collective excitement for and belief in this new sound and vision.”

AA: “What kinds of technology have you utilized to make music this time around?”

ZB: “We used GarageBand to record most of the album in Alex’s living room. Alex scoured the Internet for interesting drum samples and synth sounds and amassed a collection of cool sounding shit. We also used real synths and real guitars and bass combined with computer plug-ins like Arturia’s Oberheim synth and NI’s Massive synth. We searched for sounds that made us feel good. We started the record on an outdated version of GarageBand in a living room and finished it in Mike Elizondo’s studio, Can Am (which used to be Death Row headquarters; we were in Tupac’s room) so there’s a great combination of new and old recording styles and hi-fi and low-fi sounds and recording processes.”

AA: “How are you able to replicate your studio sound during live performances on this tour?”

ZB: “We use two computers running mainstage and ableton which are connected to controllers that each of us use to trigger samples of all the actual recorded synths and drum machines we used on the record. We also have live drums and bass and guitar and we hammer the hell out of ’em on stage. We wanted to combine the energy and power of a band really playing their instruments with all the actual epic electronic sounds from the record. So here we are!”

AA: “How do you capture fans’ attention while you’re out now opening for BORNS?”

ZB: “Just gotta do what we do every night, sing and play our asses off.”

AA: “What can fans look forward to from your live set?”

ZB: “A lot of sweat, the occasional tear, non stop dancing, and some sick sick sounds.”

AA: “It was recently announced that you’re going on tour with Maroon 5 next year. Congrats! How do you plan on preparing for an arena tour?”

ZB: “Good question!! I’ve gotta figure that out!”

AA: “What’s up next for PHASES?”

ZB: “New Year’s Eve Eve and Eve in Vegas opening for Maroon5 to ring in the new year and after that, coming to a town near you!”

Photo by Julia Brokaw