Interview w/Beachwood Coyotes: sweet acid tones and delectable lyrics

LA based band Beachwood Coyotes' lead single 'Discipline' is as interesting as the story of how the band got it's name. You see a pack of wild coyotes scared lead singer Jason Nott from the path of where there would be a triple gang murder while he was tripping on acid in Beachwood Canyon- then thanks to the addition of Drew Smith (bass), Bryan King (drums), and Yan Clermont (guitar)- Beachwood Coyotes was born. The band's debut EP 'Scrubby' released last year to great reviews and featured four solid tracks which showed the beginning evolution of their now highly polished and hypnagogic style. Having featured already on MTV, the future looks very bright. Particularly when you consider the power of this lead single.  

Discipline's throbbing bass, catchy melody and surreal feel makes it an attention grabber. The sense of isolation and yet rejection of nihilism shown throughout the lyrics is beautifully paired with an almost etheral synth and bass.The song really drives at the deepest desires towards creation and destruction that we all feel as we mature:

"I want to wrap myself in death and destruction/I want to infiltrate the pain of seduction" and "I want to exercise my right to feel nothing/I want to liberate myself to be corrupted/long enough/to see the beauty in discipline"

Which is what is so intriguing about this bamd, they have a self-awareness about the maturation and creative process which spells good things for their coming releases. To find out more about the band I caught up with frontman Jason. 

INTERVIEW:

The name of the band comes from an incident when you were kinda saved by coyotes on acid, very Hunter S Thompson! What's it like seeing a coyote on acid?

It was more confusing than anything. Acid does that to you. They never felt that threatening but we just knew we couldn’t hike any further than we already had.

You've said since then songs have come more easily and often are reflections on previous times on the road. Do you feel you had a significant shift in your perspective that night which maybe freed you creatively, perhaps facing mortality?

I did feel a significant shift in perspective but it’s been over 5 years since that night so it’s hard to speak to exactly how I felt. I was 22 at the time. My step father passed away last year, that shifted my perspective more than anything has. 

How did you guys meet and decide to come together as a band?

Craigslist, commitment, and patience.

You guys have been touring the West of the US a lot, do you have any fond or weird memories from the road? 

I can’t think of any one event that sticks out more than another but I’m very thankful that we’ve been welcomed and supported in places other than Los Angeles.

Scrubby was a great EP, you can really hear the beginings of your current style in tracks like 'I'm Tired of Rolling My Eyes',  was it a risk going for a less mainstream indie sound? 

I think our lyrical content is more of a risk than our sound. Not that I don’t think we’re trying new things and challenging ourselves. We are. But when you include songs about drunk driving, support for Black Lives Matter, and infidelity etc. people usually turn their head a bit faster.

Which bands or acts would you say have inspired you?

Billy Joel, The Clash, Talking Heads, Kings of Leon.

Who are you listening to right now? Recommend our readers some tunes!

Lately I’ve been way into Rex Orange County. You have to check him out. He’s one of those artist that make you want to write better, more self reflective songs.

 What's next for you guys? Do you have any upcoming releases or tours? 

Next we’re releasing a video for “Discipline” then our plan is to put out a few more singles, THEN we’ll tour, then we’ll get the khakis 

You can keep up to date with Beachwood Coyotes by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or by visiting their Official Website.