Developing from a lo-fi bedroom-pop solo project into a fully fledged indie rock band, LA based group bedbug shared their fourth album, pack your bags, the sun is growing, via Boston label Disposable America earlier this year.
Along with bandmates Owen Harrelson, Minerva Rodriguez, Meilyn Huq and Drew Cunningham, non-binary front-person Dylan Gamez Citron fleshed out bedbug’s new sound in the studio, and the result is an infectious blend of indie guitar riffs, confessional lyricism and surrealist storytelling, which marks their most “ambitious” work to date.
Having previously supported the likes of Japanese Breakfast, Grouper, Lomelda, Snail Mail, Strange Ranger, yourarmsaremycocoon and Frog, with their new fully fledged sound, bedbug are sure to capture the ears of a new set of fans.
We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Dylan to ask about their “Five Favourites” – five tracks that have inspired their songwriting techniques. Check out their choices below and scroll down to listen to bedbug’s latest single ‘halo on the interstate‘ at the end of this post…
1. Julia Brown – ‘Bloom’
This list is as much a list of my favorite songs as it is equivalently a list of my biggest inspirations when songwriting. So, it only makes sense to start here. This track is the closing track off of an album I can only describe as a modern opus, An Abundance of Strawberries. When I discovered this album (and consequently this song), I was slowly assembling an arsenal of songwriting and production elements that I felt would fit together and that I personally loved. Acoustic guitars, drum machines, synths, cassette warmth, vocals that aren’t overwhelming. Then I found this album. Honestly, at the time I couldn’t believe it existed, like it was just a perfect culmination of my favorite musical stuff. I still feel that way! And this final song sticks the landing like none other. Perfect track!
2. Modest Mouse – ‘Edit the Sad Parts’
I love discovering music, but in many ways I’m a victim of my own sentimentality. Most of the tracks on this list are high school discoveries. This track was my go-to reply to the all-to-common question “what is your favorite song” in high school. And yet, if you were to ask me why, I’m not sure I could explain it! Modest Mouse is still my favorite band (I have the tattoo to prove it), but I love dozens of their songs. It doesn’t have the best riffs (that would go to ‘Broke’ or ‘Talking Shit About A Pretty Sunset’) or lyrics (that’s ‘Bankrupt on Selling’). But I do think it’s the perfect snapshot of what I’d consider a perfect band. To me, this is the most “Modest Mouse” sounding song at all. Slightly emo, scrappy, full of youthful energy, it’s the perfect song to blast out of the car window on a visit to your hometown.
3. Cap’n Jazz – ‘Ooh Do I Love You’ (Acoustic)
When I was in high school, I discovered 90’s indie rock greats like Pavement, Built to Spill and Guided By Voices. My mind was blown (obviously). And then a few years passed. Nothing was scratching the same itch! Modern emo felt too whiny (though I still loved it at the time), indie rock was too produced and bombastic. Hardcore/punk was too angsty and angry for me. I wasn’t really pissed off, mostly anxious and lonely! Indie music in general was grandiose and trying really really hard. Stark contrast to the 90’s era. Fans of Cap’n Jazz can tell where I’m headed with this. A band of high school students, a single poorly recorded anthology record. Bursting with heart, full of beautiful imperfections and esoteric lyricism. And that’s all laid bare on the acoustic version of ‘Ooh Do I Love You’. Why couldn’t all emo be like this?
4. The Radio Dept – ‘Lost and Found’
Something I’m currently realizing, as I type is that every single one of these songs is an album closer. I’m not sure that’s a coincidence. Closer tracks fill the role of the final chapter of a good book, tying up loose ends and making the artist’s intent clearer. I love full albums, and the first Radio Dept album is one of my favorites of all time. I think this is the most beautiful track on it. I can’t think of another track that layers instrumentation to create such a gorgeous soundscape. The lyrics are sad but hopeful, lonely and sentimental. It’s really one of the most therapeutic songs for me.
5. Brave Little Abacus – ‘Orange Blue With Stripes’
This song is really lightning in a bottle to me. The songwriting process for that whole record feels elusive and mysterious, like the songs emerged fully formed out of the ether. How in the world is there lyrical interplay between the vocals and pre-recorded samples from Malcolm in the Middle? Do the repeating lyrical motifs mean anything? Typically, I’m not one to overanalyze a metaphor, I certainly have my fair share of abstraction in lyricism. However, something about the writing on this record begs to be interpreted. And I hope it never is! The mystery is so much more fun. And all of those unresolved melodies and lyrics culminate in ‘Orange, Blue With Stripes’. It was a really special song to me as a teenager, and only became more special at my final show in Boston before I moved. Thanks, Adam.
Thanks to Dylan for sharing their favourites with us!
Listen to bedbug’s latest single ‘halo on the interstate’ below
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Photo Credit: Dustin J Watson
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