Interview: LA Parties
By Sophie Minello
Recently releasing a brand new single off of his upcoming EP, Romance, LA Parties is ready to take over the scene. Frontman Andy Gorel wants to create a community through his music. Read more about LA Parties below.
What’s the story behind your artist name?
I haven’t talked about this yet, but its derived from a phrase in a Third Eye Blind song that resonated with me at the end of my high school years when I began developing as a songwriter and artist. I had a fascination with Los Angeles and the music industry then. The name represented something really cool in my head, familiar, but also mysterious to most people. The older I got and the more of LA and the industry that I experienced, it became more than just a name for the project. It evolved to symbolize so many things about my life and the world around me. The juxtaposition of LA and Parties works really well. LA can be soul-sucking, and miserable, just like life anywhere. It can also be sunny, and fulfilling. No matter what is going on though, we’re going to party through it. It’s all about perspective. We’re alive on earth right now, that’s enough of a reason for me to celebrate.
Describe your writing process.
I write my songs with a guitar in my hands. These days it’s an acoustic, but Russian Doll and the other Romance era tunes were written on an electric. I usually write them in one sitting, sometimes two, and then they’re done. I don’t mull over ideas for a long time, or write in sessions with other people. It has to be a divine moment of expression. I never wake up and think “I’m gonna write today”. So I guess there really isn’t a true process.
What inspired your latest release “Russian Doll”?
“Russian Doll” was inspired after being with a girl who was very open when she was drinking, and very closed off when not. She was super sweet, and had a lot going for her, but appeared to lack the confidence to be herself without alcohol. It bothered me a bit. “She’s like a Russian doll” I said to myself, thinking of those traditional wooden Matryoshka dolls that layer inside one another. As humans, we should always have confidence in ourselves. It will get you a lot farther than you think.
Why do you think it’s important for you to stay authentic and vulnerable through your music?
For a few reasons. There are so many other things I could be doing with my life that would be more lucrative than music. I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing this to create something cool and leave a positive impact on the world. If I’m not wholeheartedly invested emotionally, then what’s the point? Now from a business perspective too, look at the artists who have the longest and most lucrative careers. In recent years, artists like GROUPLOVE, Young the Giant, Foster the People, and so on. Going back a little longer, acts like Incubus or The Strokes. Has anything any of those artists ever done felt inauthentic? No. The key to longevity and success is to be yourself. It resonates with people. Even the phonies get down with authentic artists. People can smell a fake.
What kind of community are you seeking to create through your work?
Just a real one. People who love life, music, and each other. Or at the very least respect the three. The response from just the first single has been so great already. People from all walks of life have been reaching out telling me how much they love LA Parties. That’s really cool to me. True unity through diversity. Something the world is lacking right now.
Who influences you musically?
A lot of artists. None specifically influence me when I’m writing or producing music, but I think artists like Third Eye Blind, Charli XCX, Katy Perry, OK Go, Switchfoot, and San Cisco are a huge part of my musical DNA. There are so many brilliant artists out there. I listen to so much new music every year, and it all adds up honestly. It’s hard to really pinpoint any few artists.
What’s in store for the future of LA Parties?
In the immediate future, a few more singles, and some fun video content to go with. Hopefully a few shows too. LA Parties isn’t complete without full band rock shows. Beyond that though, just so many songs and records. I have so many amazing songs I need to share. Every day I’m afraid I’ll never get to release everything I want to. Making records takes a lot of time, effort and money. I just have so many songs coming. I’m super proud of this Romance era, but if you’re impressed by that, just wait to see what I have in store for the next 2-3 years. I’ll set the bar that high for myself right now. It should be quite the trip.
