Moving means adapting to one’s new surroundings. Which is exactly what indie pop darlings Brett did once they moved east to west and started right back up in Los Angeles. Their own Mick Coogan admitted that their upcoming release, Perfect Patterns (out April 5th), is California through and through. The move is where our conversation began, and where it ended? Overseas perhaps?
Kendra: When it came time to leave DC and head to LA, was there any pushback from any of you or were you all on board to move to the opposite side of the country?
Mick Coogan: We released our first LP (self-titled) in the spring of 2014. I moved to LA full time shortly thereafter, but it was too hard to carry on working long distance with my good friend and long-time writing partner Kevin Bayly. That fall, I started working with my current partner Scott Dittrich and we have been the driving force for all the music since our first LP.
Kendra: Now that you’ve been immersed in LA culture for a good amount of time, do you feel Perfect Patterns reflects your new west coast lifestyle or does it have the heart of someone from DC?
Mick Coogan: Yes; Perfect Patterns feels like a California record. For instance, the song “Perfect Patterns” was conceived and written on a trip to Big Sur, so these songs are authentic “west coast” songs.
Kendra: All in all, I got an ’80s vibe from you guys, especially “Tenenbaum.” Thinking of its sound, style, and overall meaning what ’80s teen movie do you feel “Tenenbaum” would feel right at home in?
Mick Coogan: My musical coming of age was actually the ’90s. So I draw mainly from the music of that era. I think “Tenenbaum” could have been a cool soundtrack to a “ripping lines of blow” montage from Cruel Intentions.
Kendra: That song is a joy but “Bad Luck” is my jam. So much so I wish I’d written it. What current songs do you find yourself thinking, “Damn, wish I’d penned that?”
Mick Coogan: “Bad Luck” is my tribute to the great Tom Petty. There is a cool Dinosaur Jr. guitar moment at the end that I really like. As a professional songwriter and producer, I often have the thought of “wish I wrote that!” and right now Billie Eilish is particularly inspiring in the world she is creating. It feels fresh.
Kendra: Back to LA. It’s known for having some of the most infamous venues in the world. Are there any currently on your bucket list that you’re close to crossing off?
Mick Coogan: I would prefer to play the Rose Bowl and sell 150,000 tickets and make approximately $4 million for one show. I am also okay with playing the Echo to 25 friends at 8:30 on a Wednesday though.
Kendra: How are the upcoming months shaping up for you guys in terms of touring and whatnot?
Mick Coogan: We might have some west coast shows in the Spring. Also trying to get to China as we have a growing and loyal fanbase there. Great fans!
