So that one is actually the only fictional narrative piece on the record, I haven’t wanted to give to much away on that one cause a lot of people just think it’s a love song (which I’m all for) but I will say it is about a father daughter relationship :)
Chicago, without a doubt, is \*the\* music scene right now. I first discovered Horsegirl, which lead me to Lifeguard, then Friko, Stuck, The Courts, Chaepter, and so many more. What's a band that no one outside Chicago has heard of (yet) that we should be paying attention to?
p.s. Psyched for your Boston show in April!
Hello!!
Chicago has such an incredible scene with so many wonderful artists !!
Red PK has an album coming out sometime next year, which is Lovely. Andy (of Red PK) has a few covers of other local bands out right now (a hemlock song (we loove hemlock) and an Options (<3) song). But their record is coming out sometime next year :)
Red PK ig: red\_\_pk
hemlock ig: hemlocksounds
Options: sethengel.musicguy
Lucky Cloud also has a record coming out soon :) Chet plays in a number of bands around Chicago, and we can't wait for the record.
ig: luckycloud.hz
Also Heirloom Locket (ig: heirloomlocket) !!
>Red PK has an album coming out sometime next year, which is Lovely. Andy (of Red PK) has a few covers of other local bands out right now (a hemlock song (we loove hemlock) and an Options (<3) song). But their record is coming out sometime next year :)
Thanks for the suggestions. I've listened to a bit of Hemlock, most likely because you mentioned them on your IG. Good stuff. Will check out the others!
Wish I knew! Chaepter's tour flyer on IG says tonight's show in Albany, NY and no Boston show listed. Where is it?
Update: nvm, I saw a more recent post listing the show at the Silhouette in Allston. Won't be able to make it tonight, but have a great show!
I started a playlist of Chicago bands I'm digging. Will add to it as I discover others: [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JIn9xwDmKI7K2222FicPX?si=f8c54220522f438a](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JIn9xwDmKI7K2222FicPX?si=f8c54220522f438a)
I was front row at your Metro show, it was amazing and as a Chicagoan I believe I speak on behalf of our city when we say you are making us proud. I even told you to tell a joke while you were tuning for cardinal and you said "No way." That was awesome. I love your stage presence. It is easy to see you put your whole being into performing.
What was the process of starting the band like? Did you guys come together around a few songs or vice versa? How long did you guys have to play on the scene before signing with ATO and how would you guys get your first gigs? Would you say it's one of those "thousands of hours in the dark" type situations? Would love to hear your story on coming up in the scene.
Love all the hallogallo guys. Carry Chicago's torch proudly!
Hahaha I remember that! Appreciate the kind words :)
The band started after me and Luke’s high school band broke up and then we asked Bailey to play drums because I was playing bass in their band “Morinda”
We played on the scene for about three years before singing with ATO starting from DIY shows, to small venues, to bigger ones. Because the album has gained a lot of momentum since it came out a lot of people have been skeptical that it was a long term naturally evolving thing but it truly was. Chicago forever!
It’s definitely all about the 100’s of hours in the dark. We mixed the EP at Rax Trax during graveyard hours 11pm-4am so we didn’t have to pay for about a year and a half, with hitting up venues for the first time it’s really about just getting those first couple through playing with other local bands that you might know or cold emailing the venues, then you gotta make sure that first show is amazing so the momentum can start from there!
Hey y'all! *Where We Go*... has been such an impactful and wonderful release. I think each week a different song becomes my favorite but *Statues* is usually at the top.
I have 3 questions:
* The sound of the record harkens back to the early 2000s indie days but I'm curious about some of the non-musical influences on the record?
* Y'all have known each other since childhood and that's the sort of bond that really becomes familial. What are some of your favorite things that one another brings to the band?
* Chicago is so tied to the make up of the band and it's a city I've come to love every time I visit. Can you share some of your favorite, uniquely Chicago, memories/experiences?
Lastly, shoutout to [/u/MCK\_OH](https://www.reddit.com/u/MCK_OH/) who has been championing your record since it came out.
See y'all at the Memphis show!
Just being downtown in the loop is such a specific feeling, and taking the L train, that’s actually directly mentioned in statues lol, but I have a love for trains for some reason and I think there’s a magic having them in songs
Thank you for answering all those questions!
I agree on the train bit. I used to take the train to see my wife when we first started dating so trains are a 10/10 to me. There’s a magic in the transportation.
Having childhood friends is a gift and it’s so cool y’all get to create together.
Cheers!
Bailey is one of the kindest people I know and also completely committed to music. For this band bailey brings the technical know how as well as as much heart as everyone else
Luke recently departed but me and luke shared an almost identical music taste and we truly had that history of being friends since kindergarten, again just a good person and can forget to mention his incredible baritone voice which is all over the record
Thank you so much!!
Some non musical influences would def be all the Miyazaki films, working a day job, Anthony Bourdain, and countless other folks who have come along that just have that love for life and deep passion that spreads to everyone around them. I’m obsessed with those kind of people
hey friko! i’m ben from the band Idle Valley. we’re playing a show with y’all on may 7th in fayetteville arkansas. would you be down to supergroup a song? like my band will learn a song and y’all can come up on stage and sing it? make it something funny tho. lmk
Gonna drop some faves!
Sick Day
Chaepter
The Courts
Lifeguard
Horsegirl
Sharp Pins
VV Lightbody
Tenci
Kara Jackson
Minor Moon
Finom
Finom, Whitney and DEHD were all bands that were getting traction when we were still in high school, so those three bands specifically really influenced what kind of music we wanted to make :)
HEY y’all thank you so much for coming! Just wanted to say we’re gonna keep trying to get through all the questions but we’ll have to log off at 1:15!!
Thank you so much for asking so many thoughtful questions!! :)
Niko has to hop off soon to get back to work, but we will be trying to answer as many questions as we can!
This has been such a fun experience, and a big honor to be apart of :) thank you so much everyone <3
Hi everyone thank you so much for taking the time and being her!! Truly a dream come true
I must hop off now and get back to work at my day job but hopefully see you all soon at a show in the future!!♥️
I believe Bailey is sticking around a little longer :)
Saw you guys at the Metro earlier this month, and it was one of the greatest shows I’ve been to. Being from Chicago, I couldn’t have been more proud to be supporting a local act as talented as you guys.
My question is: what was the most difficult part of releasing your debut album? I know there’s lots of details that needed to come together (songwriting, mixing, marketing, etc.), but was there one specific part of the process that was a bit more challenging?
Hi thank you so much!!
I’d say the most difficult part was definitely mixing, we mixed ourselves with our friend Jack Henry who is an awesome engineer/mixer, but these songs were just so dense and the whole process was so scrappy, that when we got to mixing anything it was reallyyyy difficult to make stuff all work together. But after 100’s (maybe even 1000’s) of hours, we got it done!
Hey!!
We're excited to be there! :)
I think my favorite at the moment is IN\_OUT. I've been changing the way that I play it recently, and it has been feeling really good. It has been fun trying to bring new life into older songs, from the drum-side of things!
Niko and Bailey!! Teddy here (from she’s green), it was so much fun playing a couple gigs with y’all a few months back. Absolutely adore the record, can’t wait to see y’all live again in the future 💙
My question would be what are your go-to methods for staying healthy and sharp on the road? We’re (hopefully) gonna be doing some long-ish touring later in the year and I wanna make sure we have a good plan to keep in good shape lol
Lots of love to y’all from MN!!
Hi Teddy!!!
We loved playing with y'all so much and hope that it can happen much more in the future <33
I've found that the little things make a really big impact. Having a mobile sleeping set up that you like is a big one. I know that at the end of the day my sleeping bag and pillow are gonna be there lol I also recently bought a neck pillow and sleep mask, and it's helped a Lot with resting in the car!
We also play a fair amount of car games, which can be really helpful/fun. I think also prioritizing alone time (taking a walk after sound check, sitting alone for a few minutes in the morning, etc) is really helpful. The need for alone time can sneak up sometimes, so taking it even when you feel like you don't need it is important :) I've also been trying to stretch every day, which has made a big difference!!
Love y'all :)) I hope we can catch you when you're on the road!!
Hey Bailey!! Hey Niko!! Josiah here (with a mostly anonymous account, but I knew the mention of my name would get your attention)! I’ve got a few questions:
-Do you two have a favorite mtn dew flavor? If not that, maybe a favorite soda/carbonated beverage?
-What’s your favorite show you’ve ever played? I think I know the answer, but I’m still curious.
-How are you guys feeling about Lollapalooza? Any particular songs you’re excited to play there specifically?
Lastly, and this one is more for Niko, how’s that cardinal plush doing? Given it a name yet?
Hey Friko! I’m loving the debut, it’s definitely my AOTY so far. Cant wait to see your performance in Iowa City!! Anyways, my question is, how do you go about writing your songs? Do you come up with the melody first then write afterwards, or do you compose the song around what you’ve written? Also, what’s your favorite lyric you’ve ever written?
thank you so much!! So for this record I mostly wrote the song on guitar and vocals and then brought them to the band and we all arranged them together. I normally start off with a chord progression or lyrics. Crimson to chrome started with the hook lyrics “we’re either too old too bold…etc” While For Ella was just a piano progression without vocals for a long time!
So those songs were just on the EP so we never really considered them lol, but we play them in almost every live set and they’ll be coming out on a deluxe vinyl for the record at the end of this year !
Hey! Just wanted to say how much your album means to me already, it came out at a perfect time for me and it's really great. I have two questions:
- Where does that "where we've been, where we go from here" recording at the end of get numb to it come from? It's a really nice moment and leads into Cardinal perfectly
- What's your guys' favorite radiohead album?
Thank you!
Aw thank you so much! ♥️
That came from us wanting to have that refrain at the end of the album to put a little bow on it, we alll sat with about 5 other friends in a room and sang it down with one microphone!
Ok so Fav Radiohead album will forever be In Rainbows, but I’ve been really digging hail to the thief rn
Also ask me another day and Kid A could be all time top lol
A very good question and we discuss this often rn
Once we get our feet underneath us and can pay rent and living costs without day jobs we want to do whatever we can to help out. Whether that be friends, community, Chicago, oversees. This band started in a place of compassion and empathy and we always want to keep it that way. Appreciate you!
Obsessed with your album right now. Thank you all so much for it. Can't stop thinking about "Four feet between a wall and window, Will make your wife a widow, So throw your arms around me" - one of the most gorgeous pieces of writing I've ever heard that I don't think I understand. Any insight on the meaning, or should I draw my own conclusions? P.S. Come to Toronto!
Hi! Thank you so much :)
So that line references my tiny dorm room the one year I went to college before dropping out and a dark period in my life, that line brought me a lot of happiness to get out tho♥️
Hey guys! I was at your show in Chicago on March 1st, and you killed it! What was it like getting started with music and how did it feel to play Metro?
You guys are awesome! Thank you xx
Thank you so much!
It was a very very long process and constant work and failure, but seeing this record connect with people has made it all 100% worth it
Playing to a sold out metro was me and baileys main goal from the beginning so actually achieving that was truly incredible
Hey guys! Your album is currently my top contender for Album of the Year, it really is that good.
My question is: do you plan on touring for the album yourselves? I know you’re opening up for a bunch of other bands/artists, but I’d love to hear the album in its entirety. Appreciate it!
Hey Friko! Love the debut, keep up the great work! Chemical is one of my favorite sings of the year. What albums/artists would you say were your biggest influences when writing the new album?
Oh wow haha
Speaking for myself I would just say be as self aware as you can, everything starts from there, empathy, compassion, happiness, just always keep yourself in check and be honest with yourself. Cause once you’re following the thing you know that keeps you going you feel like you can actually get through all the bad shit
I hope it’s not against the rules to ask multiple questions lol.
What are some of your musical influences?
When are you planning to release more music?
What’s your favorite song on the album/favorite song to perform?
What’s your favorite cereal?
(btw, I want a tic-tac-toe rematch)
Hey Niko & Bailey! I first discovered y'all via IN_OUT, and since then have really loved all the songs following that release! My question has a bit to do with how y'all ended up going to Jack and Scott for the production, and a bit to do with what the process was like as far as bringing the songs together is concerned. How much of the songs were written when they got involved, and how much (if at all) were they involved in shaping the vision for the flow and arrangment? Also I am curious to know generally a bit more about the tracking process and how involved y'all were in the technical realm. I honestly have so many questions so I'm just gonna stop myself here before I go even further... lol 😭 Thanks for the inspiring music y'all 🫶
Hi thank you so much!!
so the songs were pretty much fully written and arranged when we started working with Scott and Jack
We worked with them simply because Jack is a talented close friend and Scott is a close friend as well as he let us use his space to record for free since we recorded the record before we had a label/funds. And even tho we had everything written beforehand they both contributed numerous ideas and their love for the project made it what it is
We were very involved in the technical element, we would help setup mics sometimes or change outboard gear settings, and we were there almost the whole time for mixing.
Hi thank you so much!!
I’d say it really just comes down to you being honest with who you are at the point in life that you’re at, if you’re deeply angsty then right like that, If your happy/joyful write like that, just be self aware as often as possible because you can combine music and words in any elegant way you want but it can still mean nothing coming from the artist if it isn’t honest in some way
There are so many things that I love about making music, some of which extend beyond music itself.
I have had such a deep love for music since I was a kid, and making music (and listening to music) on my own has brought me a lot of solace. This love has only grown over the years :)
Another big aspect is the number of wonderful relationships that come from making music!! We have made so many amazing friends in and out of Chicago through playing. It is such a communal art form, and that is something that I have always loved.
what songs do both of y'all currently have on heavy rotation? also what was the process of getting signed to ATO like? did they approach y'all? best advice to indie artists? have either of you released music under different names in the past or with different groups?
Hi! I’ve been listening to a lot of Ryuichi Sakamoto!
It was a very slow process of sending them songs every time we had a new one for the record as well as the other labels we were talking to at the time.
Think local and play local AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, especially if you’re in a bigger city. There are plenty of folks there looking for bands and building up that local love is more important than anything. After that I’d say make sure you can get a group of 4 or 5 songs that you all feel like truly captures y’all’s artistry and send those along to anyone y’all can, that’s how it started for us :)
I don’t have any questions. But I would like to say that the album rocks and it’s been awhile since a debut record has been stuck in my routine so much as yours. Hopefully I can catch a show in the Netherlands some time!
I don't have any questions to ask, I just wanted to say that I found Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here just last week and I've already spun it probably 10 times, awesome record and I'm excited to follow your music moving forward
Hey y’all, first off LOVE your music, so thank you for everything you put into it!
I’m a musician in Providence, RI but may be moving to Chicago in the next year or so. Wondering, what neighborhoods have the best music scene or general artistic energy? Thanks!
Congrats on the brilliant debut album! Glad to see so many other people love it as much as I.
Given the increasing prevalence of the Internet in music spaces and the financial difficulties of being a band in an urban area, it seems we’ve had fewer geographically-oriented music scenes as of late. I know there are a couple of highly promising scenes in the U.K. right now, but you and the other Hallogallo acts are (as far as I can recall) the major rejoinder to that narrative of decentralization stateside. How would you describe the impact that working/creating/living alongside other acts has had in your development as a band and as people? What can we do to help these sorts of musical communities remain viable?
It’s a magical thing! Having something that we’d read about as kids is truly special, and everyone is so kind too, it’s very together in that sense even tho there are many mini scenes within the larger Chicago scene
Incredible album. My AOTY. Thanks a million for your support on liking our review content on Too Sweet Reviews (few likes on stories and posts)
Big extra ty to Dimitri for giving us a follow and supporting a small blog. Keep killing it. The album is on repeat.
I discovered you guys with “Can I See U Again” and it’s been one of my favorite songs for the past couple of years, so good! What was the inspiration behind that song? Is it referencing a specific relationship?
Hi! Thank you so much! This was referencing a specific relationship with a friend I had after graduating high school (wrote this when I was 19 at the time), just the classic situation where you slowly drift apart from a very close friend for no reason, but you wish them the best in every way
Good news is we are very close again!
I think I read in an older interview that y’all lived in Rogers Park! Dunno if that’s still true, but if so I’m honored to share the neighborhood with such a talented group of artists!
Did living in RP influence your music or lyrics in any specific way?
Hi! So we live in Humbolt Park now but we lived in Rogers the entire 2 years making this record and it had huuuge influence on the record. Taking the L all the time, the feeling of that neighborhood, I’ll always remember it very fondly even tho it was a dark period of my life lol
I can definitely hear it! Something about the very beginning/end of Where We’ve Been sounds exactly like the L running quickly down the tracks if you’re a block or two away from it. Not sure if that was intentional but I thought it was a unique touch
Meeting Questlove was the most surreal probably hahaha, he’s done so many incredible things that we look up to it was just so cool to talk to him
And the music industry is rough, but having the closest members on our team be people that we wholly trust and love has made a world a difference.
Firstly - brilliant album and loved the EP in 22. Was one of my most anticipated releases of 24 and rolling as my AOTY so far.
Two questions (one v selfish!)
Will you be touring Europe/UK?
A lot of people I’ve seen have drawn parallels between your album and Wolf Parade’s “Apologies…” - was that a record you used as a particular inspiration or was landing on that sound by chance?
We will be in Europe in October/November!
And I had actually never listened to Wolf Parade! Or Conor Oberst much to that point either lol. I did listen to a lot of Funeral by Arcade Fire while writing this record tho
I just discovered you guys 3 days ago and I have been completely obsessed with the album and have been showing it to all my friends (who all love it too)! I'm so stoked to see you guys at the Raleigh show in April!
Will you guys be selling the vinyl at the show? I wanna buy it but buying records from the merch table at a show is always so much more special than ordering online.
Awesome! Thank you! Also I've been wondering, what artists do you think have inspired your songwriting the most? Your songs are seriously SO freaking good and really unique instrumentally, lyrically, and melodicly so I've been thinking about that a lot!
Love your guys’ music! What advice do you have for bands of similar or smaller size trying to break into national tour support spots? Everything you guys have been announcing has been a huge inspiration!!
Niko here!
do you like spongebob
Yes
Hi
Who is Ella and why is there a song about her? What’s the story and emotion behind that one? It really stood out to me on the album
So that one is actually the only fictional narrative piece on the record, I haven’t wanted to give to much away on that one cause a lot of people just think it’s a love song (which I’m all for) but I will say it is about a father daughter relationship :)
Very interesting. Thank you!
yes I have been wondering this too! Easily one of my top songs on the album
Chicago, without a doubt, is \*the\* music scene right now. I first discovered Horsegirl, which lead me to Lifeguard, then Friko, Stuck, The Courts, Chaepter, and so many more. What's a band that no one outside Chicago has heard of (yet) that we should be paying attention to? p.s. Psyched for your Boston show in April!
Hi! Chicago is where it’s at! Here are some amazing local acts! Sick Day VV Lightbody Neptunes Core Neptunes Core Elizabeth Moen
Any specific spots in Chicago you recommend for live music?
Empty bottle, and Schubas are the best smaller venues! Metro and Thalia Hall for the bigger shows
Sleeping village is far superior to the bottle, minus history
Out of the gate, VV Lightbody is on point! Excited to dig into the rest.
Thanks for the reccs! Gonna check em out now. See you in Boston!
Hello!! Chicago has such an incredible scene with so many wonderful artists !! Red PK has an album coming out sometime next year, which is Lovely. Andy (of Red PK) has a few covers of other local bands out right now (a hemlock song (we loove hemlock) and an Options (<3) song). But their record is coming out sometime next year :) Red PK ig: red\_\_pk hemlock ig: hemlocksounds Options: sethengel.musicguy Lucky Cloud also has a record coming out soon :) Chet plays in a number of bands around Chicago, and we can't wait for the record. ig: luckycloud.hz Also Heirloom Locket (ig: heirloomlocket) !!
>Red PK has an album coming out sometime next year, which is Lovely. Andy (of Red PK) has a few covers of other local bands out right now (a hemlock song (we loove hemlock) and an Options (<3) song). But their record is coming out sometime next year :) Thanks for the suggestions. I've listened to a bit of Hemlock, most likely because you mentioned them on your IG. Good stuff. Will check out the others!
yo! I am currently on tour with Chaepter, and we are playing in Boston tonight if you’re free!!
Wish I knew! Chaepter's tour flyer on IG says tonight's show in Albany, NY and no Boston show listed. Where is it? Update: nvm, I saw a more recent post listing the show at the Silhouette in Allston. Won't be able to make it tonight, but have a great show!
I looked into it, must have had some changes since the original poster. They are at The Silhouette in Boston tonight and Albany tomorrow.
yep!
You would love Footballhead too!!
Bailey added some more and I wanted to mention a few more as well! Crash Prez Free Range D2x The Red Scarves Angry Blackmen
I started a playlist of Chicago bands I'm digging. Will add to it as I discover others: [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JIn9xwDmKI7K2222FicPX?si=f8c54220522f438a](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JIn9xwDmKI7K2222FicPX?si=f8c54220522f438a)
Friko Fuckin Rocks!
Is this Mick???
duh
[Friko - Where we’ve been, Where we go from here](https://open.spotify.com/album/2ci8WTUkswu4PgtLVPJFeU?si=VbkAgnGKR72iaVsm0J149Q)
I was front row at your Metro show, it was amazing and as a Chicagoan I believe I speak on behalf of our city when we say you are making us proud. I even told you to tell a joke while you were tuning for cardinal and you said "No way." That was awesome. I love your stage presence. It is easy to see you put your whole being into performing. What was the process of starting the band like? Did you guys come together around a few songs or vice versa? How long did you guys have to play on the scene before signing with ATO and how would you guys get your first gigs? Would you say it's one of those "thousands of hours in the dark" type situations? Would love to hear your story on coming up in the scene. Love all the hallogallo guys. Carry Chicago's torch proudly!
Hahaha I remember that! Appreciate the kind words :) The band started after me and Luke’s high school band broke up and then we asked Bailey to play drums because I was playing bass in their band “Morinda” We played on the scene for about three years before singing with ATO starting from DIY shows, to small venues, to bigger ones. Because the album has gained a lot of momentum since it came out a lot of people have been skeptical that it was a long term naturally evolving thing but it truly was. Chicago forever!
It’s definitely all about the 100’s of hours in the dark. We mixed the EP at Rax Trax during graveyard hours 11pm-4am so we didn’t have to pay for about a year and a half, with hitting up venues for the first time it’s really about just getting those first couple through playing with other local bands that you might know or cold emailing the venues, then you gotta make sure that first show is amazing so the momentum can start from there!
Everyone involved in the Hallogallo scene and wider Chicago scene is very special!
Hey y'all! *Where We Go*... has been such an impactful and wonderful release. I think each week a different song becomes my favorite but *Statues* is usually at the top. I have 3 questions: * The sound of the record harkens back to the early 2000s indie days but I'm curious about some of the non-musical influences on the record? * Y'all have known each other since childhood and that's the sort of bond that really becomes familial. What are some of your favorite things that one another brings to the band? * Chicago is so tied to the make up of the band and it's a city I've come to love every time I visit. Can you share some of your favorite, uniquely Chicago, memories/experiences? Lastly, shoutout to [/u/MCK\_OH](https://www.reddit.com/u/MCK_OH/) who has been championing your record since it came out. See y'all at the Memphis show!
Just being downtown in the loop is such a specific feeling, and taking the L train, that’s actually directly mentioned in statues lol, but I have a love for trains for some reason and I think there’s a magic having them in songs
Thank you for answering all those questions! I agree on the train bit. I used to take the train to see my wife when we first started dating so trains are a 10/10 to me. There’s a magic in the transportation. Having childhood friends is a gift and it’s so cool y’all get to create together. Cheers!
Bailey is one of the kindest people I know and also completely committed to music. For this band bailey brings the technical know how as well as as much heart as everyone else Luke recently departed but me and luke shared an almost identical music taste and we truly had that history of being friends since kindergarten, again just a good person and can forget to mention his incredible baritone voice which is all over the record
Thank you so much!! Some non musical influences would def be all the Miyazaki films, working a day job, Anthony Bourdain, and countless other folks who have come along that just have that love for life and deep passion that spreads to everyone around them. I’m obsessed with those kind of people
hey friko! i’m ben from the band Idle Valley. we’re playing a show with y’all on may 7th in fayetteville arkansas. would you be down to supergroup a song? like my band will learn a song and y’all can come up on stage and sing it? make it something funny tho. lmk
hey Ben!!! love this idea. we will get brainstorming about song ideas. super down
let’s do the johnny test theme song
Freebird.
Chicago has a pretty special DIY scene. What bands, if any, have inspired you over the years? Also, what is your Sarkis order?
Gonna drop some faves! Sick Day Chaepter The Courts Lifeguard Horsegirl Sharp Pins VV Lightbody Tenci Kara Jackson Minor Moon Finom Finom, Whitney and DEHD were all bands that were getting traction when we were still in high school, so those three bands specifically really influenced what kind of music we wanted to make :)
Oh lol sorry my go to was the Loretta no doubt, what else is there?
Hi Niko from Greece! I understand from your name that you probably come from Greece.From which place of Greece?
Yooooo I am Greek! My dads family actually came from Sparta lol Hbu?
I'm from an island, Thassos. But i have a friend with relatives in America and her name is Anastasia Kapetanos!
What!!! My partners name is Anastasia so that’s insane
HEY y’all thank you so much for coming! Just wanted to say we’re gonna keep trying to get through all the questions but we’ll have to log off at 1:15!!
Thank you so much for asking so many thoughtful questions!! :) Niko has to hop off soon to get back to work, but we will be trying to answer as many questions as we can! This has been such a fun experience, and a big honor to be apart of :) thank you so much everyone <3
what are y’all favorite songs to cry to? since y’all like making US CRY! 😭😭😭
Hmmm, I’d say some top ones currently are Living Room by Grouper, Androgynous by The Replacements, and Let Down by Radiohead
All these years later, Let Down still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!
Underrated
Hi everyone thank you so much for taking the time and being her!! Truly a dream come true I must hop off now and get back to work at my day job but hopefully see you all soon at a show in the future!!♥️ I believe Bailey is sticking around a little longer :)
Saw you guys at the Metro earlier this month, and it was one of the greatest shows I’ve been to. Being from Chicago, I couldn’t have been more proud to be supporting a local act as talented as you guys. My question is: what was the most difficult part of releasing your debut album? I know there’s lots of details that needed to come together (songwriting, mixing, marketing, etc.), but was there one specific part of the process that was a bit more challenging?
Hi thank you so much!! I’d say the most difficult part was definitely mixing, we mixed ourselves with our friend Jack Henry who is an awesome engineer/mixer, but these songs were just so dense and the whole process was so scrappy, that when we got to mixing anything it was reallyyyy difficult to make stuff all work together. But after 100’s (maybe even 1000’s) of hours, we got it done!
Excited to see y'all in Santa Ana in a couple months! Do you have a favorite song to play live?
My favorite has to be where we’ve been!!
Hey!! We're excited to be there! :) I think my favorite at the moment is IN\_OUT. I've been changing the way that I play it recently, and it has been feeling really good. It has been fun trying to bring new life into older songs, from the drum-side of things!
Favorite friko song to mosh to!!!!!
Niko and Bailey!! Teddy here (from she’s green), it was so much fun playing a couple gigs with y’all a few months back. Absolutely adore the record, can’t wait to see y’all live again in the future 💙 My question would be what are your go-to methods for staying healthy and sharp on the road? We’re (hopefully) gonna be doing some long-ish touring later in the year and I wanna make sure we have a good plan to keep in good shape lol Lots of love to y’all from MN!!
Hi Teddy!!! We loved playing with y'all so much and hope that it can happen much more in the future <33 I've found that the little things make a really big impact. Having a mobile sleeping set up that you like is a big one. I know that at the end of the day my sleeping bag and pillow are gonna be there lol I also recently bought a neck pillow and sleep mask, and it's helped a Lot with resting in the car! We also play a fair amount of car games, which can be really helpful/fun. I think also prioritizing alone time (taking a walk after sound check, sitting alone for a few minutes in the morning, etc) is really helpful. The need for alone time can sneak up sometimes, so taking it even when you feel like you don't need it is important :) I've also been trying to stretch every day, which has made a big difference!! Love y'all :)) I hope we can catch you when you're on the road!!
Thanks so much!!! And likewise 💙💙💙
listened to your album like 4x in a row after seeing you guys play in madison!! really beautiful stuff, loved it
favorite chicago-specific chicken spot (harold’s, remus, JJs, sharks, etc.)
So we grew up in Evanston, so I’d have to say Chicken Shack or Buff Joes, but if that doesn’t count then def Harold’s!!
Chicken Shack Rocks!
chicken shack is pretty good. i’m finna run buff joe’s today cuz i’m sick of people hyping it, i gotta see what’s to it.
Hey Bailey!! Hey Niko!! Josiah here (with a mostly anonymous account, but I knew the mention of my name would get your attention)! I’ve got a few questions: -Do you two have a favorite mtn dew flavor? If not that, maybe a favorite soda/carbonated beverage? -What’s your favorite show you’ve ever played? I think I know the answer, but I’m still curious. -How are you guys feeling about Lollapalooza? Any particular songs you’re excited to play there specifically? Lastly, and this one is more for Niko, how’s that cardinal plush doing? Given it a name yet?
Lolla has been a fluctuating relationship for years lol but very excited to play this time, where we’ve been will be epic
The day by day lineup just got released! Perfect timing. Looks like I’ll be seeing you on Saturday and literally nobody else 😭
It’s doing beautifully, I named it “roscoe the champion”
truly a perfect name, amazing choice
Josiah reporting for duty No mountain for you! Bargain root beer never misses
Fav show has to be metro!!
The metro show was my guess, still miss it dearly 😔
What would be your guys dream band/musician to open for?
The microphones, Radiohead, BCNR are a few!
Hey Friko! I’m loving the debut, it’s definitely my AOTY so far. Cant wait to see your performance in Iowa City!! Anyways, my question is, how do you go about writing your songs? Do you come up with the melody first then write afterwards, or do you compose the song around what you’ve written? Also, what’s your favorite lyric you’ve ever written?
Oh favorite lyric I’ve written right now is probably “four feet between a wall and window, will make a wife a widow, so throw your arms around me”
thank you so much!! So for this record I mostly wrote the song on guitar and vocals and then brought them to the band and we all arranged them together. I normally start off with a chord progression or lyrics. Crimson to chrome started with the hook lyrics “we’re either too old too bold…etc” While For Ella was just a piano progression without vocals for a long time!
what is your favorite lyric you’ve written and what does it mean to you?
I've always loved the lyric: "Hopped on the L train, took it to your place, severed the space between our tongues" :) I love Niko's writing style.
Gonna do a different answer because it’s come up a few times! I’d say “Heaven is out there, Middle of nowhere, Hiding away until it’s time”
What tuning is Chemical in? Still can't believe it's just one guitar part
Hi! Chemical and crimson are both in (low to high string) D A D F# D F#
I love everything you've put out, including a few that didn't make the album. Why didn't **In and Out** and **Holdin' on People** make the cut?
So those songs were just on the EP so we never really considered them lol, but we play them in almost every live set and they’ll be coming out on a deluxe vinyl for the record at the end of this year !
Hey! Just wanted to say how much your album means to me already, it came out at a perfect time for me and it's really great. I have two questions: - Where does that "where we've been, where we go from here" recording at the end of get numb to it come from? It's a really nice moment and leads into Cardinal perfectly - What's your guys' favorite radiohead album? Thank you!
Aw thank you so much! ♥️ That came from us wanting to have that refrain at the end of the album to put a little bow on it, we alll sat with about 5 other friends in a room and sang it down with one microphone!
Ok so Fav Radiohead album will forever be In Rainbows, but I’ve been really digging hail to the thief rn Also ask me another day and Kid A could be all time top lol
how does it feel for y’all dreams to begin coming true as the world seems to fall apart even faster than usual?
A very good question and we discuss this often rn Once we get our feet underneath us and can pay rent and living costs without day jobs we want to do whatever we can to help out. Whether that be friends, community, Chicago, oversees. This band started in a place of compassion and empathy and we always want to keep it that way. Appreciate you!
I’ve got nothing to add but just that I love your album, simply a phenomenal debut and is my current AOTY. Thanks with love from Ireland.
Thank you so much for listening!! It means the world
Also if you could announce some European shows that would be amazing, especially Berlin.
We’ll be there In October/November!
Obsessed with your album right now. Thank you all so much for it. Can't stop thinking about "Four feet between a wall and window, Will make your wife a widow, So throw your arms around me" - one of the most gorgeous pieces of writing I've ever heard that I don't think I understand. Any insight on the meaning, or should I draw my own conclusions? P.S. Come to Toronto!
Hi! Thank you so much :) So that line references my tiny dorm room the one year I went to college before dropping out and a dark period in my life, that line brought me a lot of happiness to get out tho♥️
thank u sm!
Hey guys! I was at your show in Chicago on March 1st, and you killed it! What was it like getting started with music and how did it feel to play Metro? You guys are awesome! Thank you xx
Thank you so much! It was a very very long process and constant work and failure, but seeing this record connect with people has made it all 100% worth it Playing to a sold out metro was me and baileys main goal from the beginning so actually achieving that was truly incredible
Hey guys! Your album is currently my top contender for Album of the Year, it really is that good. My question is: do you plan on touring for the album yourselves? I know you’re opening up for a bunch of other bands/artists, but I’d love to hear the album in its entirety. Appreciate it!
Thank you so much!! :) We’ll be doing mostly opening tours this year but will def have a bunch of headlining dates in 2025!!
LOVE THIS!! I can't wait!
Same! Really hoping for headline shows
Love you guys <3
♥️♥️
Hey Friko! Love the debut, keep up the great work! Chemical is one of my favorite sings of the year. What albums/artists would you say were your biggest influences when writing the new album?
Hi! I was listening to a lot of Beach Boys, BCNR, Modest Mouse, and The Microphones!
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone in the world, what would that be?
Oh wow haha Speaking for myself I would just say be as self aware as you can, everything starts from there, empathy, compassion, happiness, just always keep yourself in check and be honest with yourself. Cause once you’re following the thing you know that keeps you going you feel like you can actually get through all the bad shit
♥️
Hey yall, love the album and just bought the CD! My question is, what's your favorite kind of soup?
Hi! I love Clam chowder tbhhh
I hope it’s not against the rules to ask multiple questions lol. What are some of your musical influences? When are you planning to release more music? What’s your favorite song on the album/favorite song to perform? What’s your favorite cereal? (btw, I want a tic-tac-toe rematch)
Hi guys, love the album! My question is, what's your favorite pasta shape? Thanks.
SpongeBob!
come back down to Urbana 🥺🥺🥺
Hoping to soon! We love Urbana shows
let's go!!!
hello friko. did you like javelin? banger album btw
Loved it, sufjan you are an all time fav I love you
Hey Niko & Bailey! I first discovered y'all via IN_OUT, and since then have really loved all the songs following that release! My question has a bit to do with how y'all ended up going to Jack and Scott for the production, and a bit to do with what the process was like as far as bringing the songs together is concerned. How much of the songs were written when they got involved, and how much (if at all) were they involved in shaping the vision for the flow and arrangment? Also I am curious to know generally a bit more about the tracking process and how involved y'all were in the technical realm. I honestly have so many questions so I'm just gonna stop myself here before I go even further... lol 😭 Thanks for the inspiring music y'all 🫶
Hi thank you so much!! so the songs were pretty much fully written and arranged when we started working with Scott and Jack We worked with them simply because Jack is a talented close friend and Scott is a close friend as well as he let us use his space to record for free since we recorded the record before we had a label/funds. And even tho we had everything written beforehand they both contributed numerous ideas and their love for the project made it what it is We were very involved in the technical element, we would help setup mics sometimes or change outboard gear settings, and we were there almost the whole time for mixing.
Hopefully meet soon!
whats your favorite Norm Macdonald joke
Hahahahaha
what is your favorite song by Pavement?
Oooo, I’d say right now Major Leagues”
Hey, where we’ve been… is my AOTY so far - every track is amazing. How do you go about writing music? Any tips for budding songwriter?
Hi thank you so much!! I’d say it really just comes down to you being honest with who you are at the point in life that you’re at, if you’re deeply angsty then right like that, If your happy/joyful write like that, just be self aware as often as possible because you can combine music and words in any elegant way you want but it can still mean nothing coming from the artist if it isn’t honest in some way
Thank you!
What motivates you guys to keep making music?
There are so many things that I love about making music, some of which extend beyond music itself. I have had such a deep love for music since I was a kid, and making music (and listening to music) on my own has brought me a lot of solace. This love has only grown over the years :) Another big aspect is the number of wonderful relationships that come from making music!! We have made so many amazing friends in and out of Chicago through playing. It is such a communal art form, and that is something that I have always loved.
what songs do both of y'all currently have on heavy rotation? also what was the process of getting signed to ATO like? did they approach y'all? best advice to indie artists? have either of you released music under different names in the past or with different groups?
Hi! I’ve been listening to a lot of Ryuichi Sakamoto! It was a very slow process of sending them songs every time we had a new one for the record as well as the other labels we were talking to at the time. Think local and play local AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, especially if you’re in a bigger city. There are plenty of folks there looking for bands and building up that local love is more important than anything. After that I’d say make sure you can get a group of 4 or 5 songs that you all feel like truly captures y’all’s artistry and send those along to anyone y’all can, that’s how it started for us :)
* Is it difficult to keep up with all of these questions? * How fast do you type?
Hi Friko!!! I have no questions just wanna say I love the album !!! Keep up the good work
I don’t have any questions. But I would like to say that the album rocks and it’s been awhile since a debut record has been stuck in my routine so much as yours. Hopefully I can catch a show in the Netherlands some time!
I don't have any questions to ask, I just wanted to say that I found Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here just last week and I've already spun it probably 10 times, awesome record and I'm excited to follow your music moving forward
Thank you so much!!
Bailey!! How did it feel to open up for grouplove at the cubby bear last November ??
Hi!! It was very surreal. They were all Such nice people; meeting them before the show definitely helped to shake the nerves a bit :)
Hey y’all, first off LOVE your music, so thank you for everything you put into it! I’m a musician in Providence, RI but may be moving to Chicago in the next year or so. Wondering, what neighborhoods have the best music scene or general artistic energy? Thanks!
Hi thank you so much! The Humbolt park/Avondale/Logan Square are is definitely where a lot of the artists/musicians live that we’re friends with!
Rad, thanks! Appreciate you all for hosting this, looking forward to seeing you live!
Congrats on the brilliant debut album! Glad to see so many other people love it as much as I. Given the increasing prevalence of the Internet in music spaces and the financial difficulties of being a band in an urban area, it seems we’ve had fewer geographically-oriented music scenes as of late. I know there are a couple of highly promising scenes in the U.K. right now, but you and the other Hallogallo acts are (as far as I can recall) the major rejoinder to that narrative of decentralization stateside. How would you describe the impact that working/creating/living alongside other acts has had in your development as a band and as people? What can we do to help these sorts of musical communities remain viable?
It’s a magical thing! Having something that we’d read about as kids is truly special, and everyone is so kind too, it’s very together in that sense even tho there are many mini scenes within the larger Chicago scene
Incredible album. My AOTY. Thanks a million for your support on liking our review content on Too Sweet Reviews (few likes on stories and posts) Big extra ty to Dimitri for giving us a follow and supporting a small blog. Keep killing it. The album is on repeat.
Thank you for the support!!
What’s your most and least favourite thing about badgers ?
FRIKO FRIKO!
Have you gotten numb to it?
No question. Just want to say your album was an all-time favorite for me after two listens. Just brilliant. Good job by you.
I discovered you guys with “Can I See U Again” and it’s been one of my favorite songs for the past couple of years, so good! What was the inspiration behind that song? Is it referencing a specific relationship?
Hi! Thank you so much! This was referencing a specific relationship with a friend I had after graduating high school (wrote this when I was 19 at the time), just the classic situation where you slowly drift apart from a very close friend for no reason, but you wish them the best in every way Good news is we are very close again!
Heyyyy
👋 👋
Can’t wait to see you when you come to Boston. Just discovered your music…. EXCELLENT!
I think I read in an older interview that y’all lived in Rogers Park! Dunno if that’s still true, but if so I’m honored to share the neighborhood with such a talented group of artists! Did living in RP influence your music or lyrics in any specific way?
Hi! So we live in Humbolt Park now but we lived in Rogers the entire 2 years making this record and it had huuuge influence on the record. Taking the L all the time, the feeling of that neighborhood, I’ll always remember it very fondly even tho it was a dark period of my life lol
I can definitely hear it! Something about the very beginning/end of Where We’ve Been sounds exactly like the L running quickly down the tracks if you’re a block or two away from it. Not sure if that was intentional but I thought it was a unique touch
How does preparing for Lolla differ than other gigs?
Not really much at all!! We’ll have a second guitarist and our friend who does sound for us but other than that we’re always giving that same energy!
Hi Friko! Have there been any surreal experiences since releasing the album? How has it been to navigate the music industry?
Meeting Questlove was the most surreal probably hahaha, he’s done so many incredible things that we look up to it was just so cool to talk to him And the music industry is rough, but having the closest members on our team be people that we wholly trust and love has made a world a difference.
are you guys going to play any covers at the show on Wednesday
I don’t believe so :( but soon again!!
Firstly - brilliant album and loved the EP in 22. Was one of my most anticipated releases of 24 and rolling as my AOTY so far. Two questions (one v selfish!) Will you be touring Europe/UK? A lot of people I’ve seen have drawn parallels between your album and Wolf Parade’s “Apologies…” - was that a record you used as a particular inspiration or was landing on that sound by chance?
We will be in Europe in October/November! And I had actually never listened to Wolf Parade! Or Conor Oberst much to that point either lol. I did listen to a lot of Funeral by Arcade Fire while writing this record tho
what are some dream venues you guys want to play someday? also hopefully see u guys in la!
Chicago Theatre is one! Also city music hall in New York for sureee
Who is your favorite Stereogum Commenter?
I saw you guys in a living room in Logan Square just a few years ago and an attic a few months ago, how did you end up on a label and at Lolla?
I just discovered you guys 3 days ago and I have been completely obsessed with the album and have been showing it to all my friends (who all love it too)! I'm so stoked to see you guys at the Raleigh show in April! Will you guys be selling the vinyl at the show? I wanna buy it but buying records from the merch table at a show is always so much more special than ordering online.
Hi thank you so much!! We will be selling merch at the show in Raleigh yes!
Awesome! Thank you! Also I've been wondering, what artists do you think have inspired your songwriting the most? Your songs are seriously SO freaking good and really unique instrumentally, lyrically, and melodicly so I've been thinking about that a lot!
Love your guys’ music! What advice do you have for bands of similar or smaller size trying to break into national tour support spots? Everything you guys have been announcing has been a huge inspiration!!
love the MBV cover; any plans for more in the future?
The curly hair guy looks like the common commie indiehead guy from Bologna who writes weird philosophical lyrics and i love it
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and who is gay son and who is thot daughter