Sycamore

This week feature is the Sycamore boys! You can find their singles such as "Monday," "Sycamore" and "How'd I get home" on Spotify! I believe my first time hearing about them was when they played at Bummer Shed and the images that captured them caught my interest. Once "Monday" was released there was a verse in there that caught my attention that brings it close to home which made me look forward to what the band has in stored in the future. This week's feature is Sycamore, @sycamoreband_

The images provided in this feature are by Mark, @idontakephotos

check out his work as well and the feature on his work on the blog on the home page.

We start off with the band mates such as Luis the bassist, Yan the rhythm guitar and singer, Alex also know as "Armadillo" which takes role as a singer and guitarist, Orion he's the drummer , and finally Bryan who is lead guitar and synth. Now that we have the introductions into the band they go on to shout out a couple of local creatives " Mr. Flowers (Isaiah), Joseph Stingley, Hi Marcus, Yruama, Armadillo! Dragon Warrior Noodle! Tropicasa and Diego Valentino!" They all have a big energy when they are together and really hyped up the individuals mentioned and even each other for the roles they play in the band. That's a lot of love for the community and one another as band mates and friends.

Starting off I ask if they've been a part of different groups or how did they end up forming the band together as Luis and Yan start off by explaining " I want to start a band but a couple of us were in a different group and they fucking joined! Especially when one of us lived across from us. Especially Orion came knocking like an angel on our door and now he's a part of us." Orion goes on to mention being in a band called "error" along with a slipknot tribute band. That's pretty interesting for sure! Never knew had that, but I can sure imagine it. Orion says "ever since that day we've been like fucking brothers." I'm glad they can get along and enjoy each other being a part of Sycamore.

Sycamore recently played August 27th at The Gremlin which they opened up for Little Jesus. They did an acoustic set. I recall eating and having fries with a friend waiting for the back to open so we can get our spot near the stage. I hearing "Oh she comes down on Monday and it feeling oh so mundane" and I was like "BRO SYCAMORE IS STARTING." It's crazy how you can tell who is who within 30 seconds or so by what we hear or especially with art that we see. They go on to mention that they have played a total of 4 shows before The Gremlin show. Which they mention "it's been house shows or at bars. I do prefer house shows due to the experience for sure! I remember being at a tiny house and nobody knew we were gonna play, but it was like 40-50 people and everyone was like *BOOM BOOM BOOM* no matter what the house show energy is through the roof" This is when Isaiah came up and mentions "sycamore bro is crazy talented! They are beautiful and check em out check me out!"

When it comes to the music how do it all comes together they explain by saying "we come back with a chord of direction and we all pitch in. Whatever comes first and we all work on it together." Well that's good that they are working together and even with all these roles they all partake.

How would they like to grow? They mention how they would want "sycamore to be more than just a band but like a brand. To be more independent and just push it ourselves" or as they say the "D.I.Y punk aesthetic", but what really caught my attention was when they mentioned "him maturing grows the band, him maturing grows the band" not an attack to anyone, but this states how as they grow and grow with the band so with their ideas and what they wish to bring to the band.

They all want to grow with Sycamore and even as individuals they all have something to offer. From "improving my bass skills and have the bass being heard and change the whole thought of it" to "playing an instrument and to now being a band changes everything." I noticed that Bryan was a bit quiet, but once hearing his friends call him "the wizard" to "this man knows everything! he knows music theory! he does it all from piano to double bass!" It was nice seeing how they uplift each other as mentioned earlier. They know each others skills and how to help one another. They know what they want to work on and what they want to bring in the future such what they would like to experiment with such ash "electronic sounds" and "latino sounds" such as "cumbias." They certainly have a lot they want to grow and work on!

On the song "Monday" there a is a verse that says "Oh well she flies out by Friday so we're goin out to yasukes I Don't know how I'll break it to her but its alright." The mentioning of "yasukes" which is a local spot in Mcallen which a I'm sure we have driven by or have been to at least once or it's one of your favorite spots. Hearing this and reading this just made me thing back on a moment I had at Yasuke's. It's the connection someone may be able to have or they may be like "OH! I know that place" when hearing the song, but what made them choose this location or incorporating a local spot in their song? "A lot of the people I talk to they mention Yasuke and song is about going out with a girl and not taking it serious. I always wanted to go on a date to Yasukes and I was aiming for that connection if anyone would get it." As Armadillo mentions in this quote, If they wanted that connection well they got it!

From music to concerts what about collabs with other local creatives to which they say "there's going to be a collection involving Isaiah and Joseph. We want to get a group going. A mixture of valley creatives. A bunch of young creatives from the ages of 18-24 and it really blows my mind that we are all a part of this. It's all perfect timing! With this collection it gives a platform for creatives that when I mention THE VALLEY I don't want them thinking or saying 'OH like California?' and its like no I'm talking about the RIO GRANDE VALLEY. We have a lot of culture and a lot of talent. We look forward to do this collection." I look forward to this collection as well! It sounds like it's going to be really great and the idea is pretty good too!

With THREE singles currently what about an album or an EP as they continue by elaborating on this "We have 'after party' and 'Don't tell me goodbye.' We want this EP to come out good! We're trying to make it as perfect as we can make it! We also have a music video for single 'after party' which we have big plans for!"

Now that we have the singles "Sycamore' out we can be expecting these 2 more singles and possibly the release of the EP down the road! It's only a matter of time until then.

Sycamore shares their thoughts on the local music scene,

"it surprises me how it used to be very low and out of nowhere *THUM THUM THUM* it started growing! We have to show and do things to prove that its doable! That if we can grow so can they!" As Orion mentions As they continue with Bryan saying "I wasn't much into the local music scene until I joined the band and I didn't know much of indie stuff. I thought it was just cumbias and rappers. There is a lot more out there! It's really inspiring to see and we are really in a good moment right now!"

The continue with one final comment,

Yan says "Love ya mom, love ya family"

Orion says "I never felt like I belonged, but once I started playing drums I started being myself and if you're alone well you are not. It feels really good and see these newer people join and see these individuals be like big brothers and big sisters to those coming up."

Armadillo mentions "I never thought I would be at this magnitude from making music in my bedroom. It goes to show that if you have a hobby or a talent that just go for it and get it out there. I love everyone reading this."

Luis goes on ending the comments by saying "I have to say I am one of our biggest fans. We're here jamming and making songs and making friends. A lot more coming!"