Side Bangs is a genre-jumping rock band based in Brooklyn, NY. Their music blends psychedelic rock, trip-hop, punk, and grunge elements with pop sensibilities. The group is comprised of singer / guitarist Stephanie Rodgers, bassist Jonathan Toscano, and drummer Bryan Framhein. “Wedding Season” is a sultry shoegaze soundtrack designed to hypnotize. Inspired by frisky lovers preparing for a walk down the aisle, the deliciously different ear candy floats between minor and major, creating a curious, meditative atmosphere that builds until the song’s explosive end. The song was written by Side Bangs frontwoman Stephanie Rodgers, produced by Rodgers, Mark Marshall, and Denise Barbarita, and performed by Rodgers (vocals, guitar), Marshall (synth), Jonathan Toscano (bass) and Bryan Framhein (drums).
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Side Bangs, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Hi Kamil, thank you so much for taking the time! I really appreciate you and Lost in the Manor for all the work you do in promoting independent artists. Lord knows, we need all the help we can get!
My obsession with music began when I was three years old. I locked myself in my bedroom trying to learn how to sing like Mariah Carey and Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and my parents were slightly concerned. From there, I was always listening to music, singing, and coming up with my own songs.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
This is the hardest question, as I would be thrilled to collaborate with thousands of artists. I would love to be adopted by boygenius, as I adore Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers. Those ladies have each comforted me through a number of heartbreaks. Also, The National. Aaron Dessner's production and Bryce Dessner's composition skills are top notch, and I think my voice would sound really interesting with Matt Berninger's.
Your latest song is 'Wedding Season'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
"Wedding Season" was quite the process, as it was my first time truly leading the production of a song. There are actually two studio versions! The first version was a step and a half lower and leaned into some creepy minor chords. It sounded interesting, but it's a love song inspired by my friends who got married, and creepy wasn't the vibe I was hoping to capture. So, I axed the whole project and regrouped. Denise Barbarita of MONOLisa Studios was in charge of sound engineering and mixing, and we spent multiple sessions ironing out the backup vocals. I love the way she blended the vocals with the shoegaze guitars in the final mix.
What are you focussing on right now?
Right now, I'm focused on finishing the production of the album and trying to build a fanbase.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the band. This time last year, we were playing our first gig, and I was timid in rehearsals. I'd never played with musicians of Jon and Bryan's caliber before, and I had major imposter syndrome. Now, I am a sergeant! I've really grown into the role of a band leader.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
Phew, there are many. Three years ago, I would have said learning how to develop a sound that is true to yourself and who you want to be as an artist. Today, I would say marketing. There are so many talented artists and it is hard to distinguish yourself.
How do you structure your day?
I start my mornings with either weightlifting, yoga or a run. Then, I meditate and shower. I take long showers and do my vocal warmups during. Next, I work on music marketing, social media content, and other administrative tasks until around 10 AM, when I have to shift gears to my work that pays the bills. After work, I pivot back to music. I try to use weekends for band practice, studio sessions, editing, and ironing out the details on unfinished songs, but this sometimes creeps into my evenings. I truly have no social life.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I'm into consuming art of all forms and try to take advantage of the galleries, exhibits and performances in New York. I also taught myself how to design mobile apps last year, which is a blast, but I rarely have time for it. I also like reading, science, nature, and the art of turning anything into a game.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Typically, I'm doing my warmup in the showers. Shoutout to Jeff Rolka for some amazing videos that keep me on track. On special occasions, I will bust out some Ellie Goulding or Miley Cyrus.
What are your plans for the future?
Keep releasing singles, finish polishing the album, and get to work on producing the next record. We're also planning to do a small tour later this year, and from there, we will see where it goes! Our next single, "Monopolies" will be out at the end of April, so stay tuned!