UTG INTERVIEW: NGHBRS @ SXSW

April 10th, 2014

Matthew Leimkuehler

Long Island’s indie rock act NGHBRS became an overnight sensation with the viral success of the music video for “Hold Up Girl,” but it doesn’t take long to tell this band is much more than just another YouTube sensation. No, NGHBRS is much more than a band with one clever video and catchy tune, they are a band supporting an entire EP that seeps indie rock passion and progression. The band’s newest release, Twenty One Rooms, is gripping and compelling, a record that really shows a band that has created a formula of sensational rock n’ roll tracks.

Under The Gun had the chance to chat with the band at SXSW about the new record, the video for “Hold Up Girl,” and how the band plans to spend the rest of the year.

You guys released Twenty One Rooms last year, how have things been since the record dropped?

Jordan Schneider (drums): It’s been really cool. Every show is growing, especially in New York, and we released a video for our song, “Hold Up Girl,” and that’s when it really catapulted. It’s been so awesome. It’s viral, it’s spreading, which is awesome to say.

Yeah, the music video is rad. Where did this idea come from?

Eric Vivelo (bass): The idea came from our singer and then Jordan, besides playin’ drums and just killin’ that, he also kills video editing. We put it together in a few months and it’s awesome.

So, when you did the video, did you know this was gold?

JS: We were pumped for the idea, but when we showed people the rough cut, that’s when we knew.

Whenever you were writing the record, what was the goal for the release? Is there a concept behind the music?

EV: We wanted to capture the energy. Like capturing lighting in the bottle. We’re a very live band and a very vibe-friendly band so that’s why we did the whole record live. We just wanted to capture the raw energy of hearing loud rock music.

How was the process of recording live compared to multi-tracking?

JS: In the studio it can get pretty sterile because you’re sitting in a room and going and stopping and going and stopping and it doesn’t have the same feel. You lose a bit of the impact, so I think recording live is the way to go. We try to keep it natural and relaxed.

What was the biggest challenge for doing the record live?

EV: The set-up [laughs]. The set-up was the biggest challenge.

What’s the rest of the year look like for you guys?

EV: We’re playing Skate And Surf in May, which is going to be awesome, and we have some more summer touring in the works at the moment.

JS: And writing some more songs.

EV: Absolutely. Always writing.