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Sacramento band Streetlight Fire just released their debut album The Sun Stands Still. The fantastic 10-song debut sounds like a band that has been together for years and comes highly recommended for fans of rock, pop-punk, and alternative. GroundSounds caught up with the band to discuss the new album, history of the band, and the impact of Brand New on their music.
GS: How long have you been making music and how did you meet and form the band?
Keaton: Josh and I have been making music under this name since my freshmen year in high school, so like 2008. Steven was our friend in marching band, and one day his sister gave him a bass so he joined a year later. Josh met Quynn in college, and we needed a drummer, and Josh said he’s pretty good, so we asked him. Luckily he said yes. So yeah, this version of Streetlight Fire has been together for about a year and half.
Your debut album The Sun Stands Still came out on June 5th. What can listeners expect from the album?
Quynn: Listeners can expect a different Streetlight Fire than they might be used to. We still have a familiar sound that people who listened to “Architects” might expect, but the songs are a lot more diverse this time around. The album as a whole has a wide range of intensities, but the songs themselves also rise and fall in a manner that gives listeners a new perspective on our music.
Where was the picture for the album art taken and why did you choose this for the cover?
Josh: Our great photographer friend Victoria Lubach visited a ghost town somewhere in Utah and took some wonderful pictures. I was just looking through her Flickr and saw those pictures, and just thought they matched the title and themes of the album.
You mention Brand New as a musical influence. What’s the biggest or most significant way their music has influenced you?
Keaton: Wow, what a great question. The things that capture me about Brand New is…everything they do. The way that they are kind of a punk/rock band, but somehow very indie, the way they’re able to express themselves through many different styles, and the lyrical content, of course, is something that Josh and I are very influenced by. It’s really “The Beatles” mentality of making whatever kind of music that suits you at the moment.
Steven: When Deja Entendu first came out, one thing that really struck me was that it was really “cool.” The entire album sounded effortless, yet unbelievably profound. Lyrically and musically it was everything I wanted our album to be- and I think it shows.
Josh: The most significant way they have influenced me is the lyrics. That band has totally changed the course of my writing as a whole, not necessarily just lyrics, but even in school. Jesse’s word choice is always so powerful. Each word stands on its own and seems so carefully chosen. I’ve always made it a point to put a lot on emphasis on lyrics because of Brand New. I think lyrics are what really makes listeners hang on to bands and listen over and over again.
I can hear a little of that BN influence in your first single “Thunder.” Tell us a little bit about the inspiration for that song and how it came together.
Josh: Well as the dude who wrote it, I guess I’ll answer this! I’ve been getting really annoyed at songs in the scene about being bitter or sad. I wanted to write a song about a sad time in my life, but from the perspective of acceptance. You can’t control a lot of things in your life, so I think it’s important to accept that so that you can take move forward with your life when tragedies occur.
Is there another song from the upcoming album that you are particularly excited about?
Quynn: We all agree that Boundaries is one of the songs that grew from relatively nothing. It was the last song that we wrote for the record, but it ended up turning into one of our favorites. It’s one of those that really showcases the four of us coming together as a band and displaying our individual influences in one collective effort. There’s a great payoff at the end of the song.
Where did the name “Streetlight Fire” come from?
Josh: I think in high school I took this picture in San Franscisco with a streetlight in the background. The light flared out in the picture, and it looked like it was on fire. I figured it would be a sweet band name. We’ve wanted to change it numerous times, but it just stuck!
What was it like working with Dryw Owens on the album?
Keaton: Dryw, first of all, is a wonderful person and has a great heart; it’s obvious he really cares about his work and the sound.
Quynn: He’s very positive about the whole process. When you nail a part, he gives you credit for what you’ve done. When you need to make something better, he makes you do it. It sounds simple, but everything he does is truly for the good of the song.
As a newer band, how do you plan on getting your music heard and standing out from the crowd? What has been the most difficult part of your music career thus far?
Steven: Frankly, we don’t have a plan! We’re feeling things out, one hurdle at a time. It seems to be working so far. The most difficult thing to happen to us so far was when Steven’s gear was stolen. Who would do that and why would they do that?
What’s next for Streetlight Fire after the album release? Any touring plans yet?
Josh: We have a couple short runs through California and the Northwest. I’m stoked to see Seattle.
What is one fun fact about your band or someone in the band?
Josh: One time we thought Steven quit, so we got another bassist, but Steven never quit. So we made Steven play keys. That was awkward.
Check out The Sun Stands Still below and grab the album on Bandcamp for only $7!
