selfdrou9ht makes indie pop for the virtual world.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band:
Jimmy Fasulo
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to this? How long has the band been around?
I used to play in a ton of pop punk bands, I’m still currently in Ernston and LOVEONACID and I used to sing for Chasing Down Sunset which is now Pollyanna (who you should totally check out), Ernston has been around since 2014 and LOVEONACID’s been going for a few years, I just jumped in the beginning of this year. I try to stay active as possible so hopefully both of those bands will drop some music this year too, but I’ll see what happens. I’ve been Selfdrou9ht for like...4 months now?
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Self-drought sparked from a meditating out in Joshua Tree, I was really examining my motivations for being an artist and found a lot of my decisions were made based out of serving my ego- work here for the recognition, make this style for the attention, etc., and I felt like the way to best connect myself to my art would be- ironically- taking my “self” out of it. Just the emotions set free. I’m not worrying about fitting a character or molding the ideal outward projection as far as image, I just need to speak my truth and not worry about how it’s received.
A majority of my visuals are not even going to include my physical person for this reason, that’ll make sense when you see it (hopefully). If you take your self out of the mix, you can open a lot more than you thought you could.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
I write all of my song lyrically but instrumental composition varies track to track-
I’m working on three projects right now all with different producers at the helm for music. As far as content I don’t really know what to say, I feel like saying “they’re about relationships” sounds like a cop out, so I guess I’d say they’re just about the Human Experience- and it’ll probably stay that way
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Amy Winehouse is my muse, aside from her work inspiring me at all times I really try to channel the energy of like....*NSYNC and 2000’s pop? But modernized? I don’t know, I kinda wrote most of these songs in a vacuum, I’m painfully behind on modern music outside of the DIY punk scene and hip hop- both categories I do NOT belong in
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I always wanted to be like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra being a little Italian boy, but it honestly started for me for real when I saw a Kiss music video on a giant screen at a Hard Rock Café when I was like 8. I was blown away just sitting there like “bro, you can DO THAT?!” Music had always seemed so sterile and friendly- being introduced to the rough around the edges side of the spectrum sucked me right in to performing arts.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
I honestly should have a good answer for this but I can say that in my 16 years as a stage performer, the most prep I’ve ever done was actually sleeping. I feel like the most important thing is my headspace, if I can keep myself centered everything kind of takes care of itself
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
I’m just starting the Selfdrou9ht journey now but I’m sure the biggest highlight will remain hearing my friends reactions to new music. When the people who keep it 100% real with you tell you you’re on to something it’s as good as going #1. Show wise I did a two-set Stevie Wonder tribute show that felt absolutely magical.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
If we’re talking Past, DEFINITELY Cyndi Lauper. I think we’d put on a hell of a show together. Or maybe Pet Shop Boys or Ministry and get real weird. Talkin present I’d kill to tour with Miley Cyrus or Tom Misch. More so just so I can see them perform every night but I think I could do well with their bases. And Post Malone so we can trip and chill
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m dropping the first Selfdrou9ht single “The Comedown” on October 16th with a RIDICULOUSLY tight visualizer by the boiiz at Semblance Studios- I just hope that if y’all come across it you dig it! I’m sticking around no matter what happens so if you like what you hear, give your boy a follow on instagram to keep up with me @selfdrou9ht