The Sometimes Island is a synth pop band based in Los Angeles, known for its exhilarating, unforgettable live shows. Today, we’re exclusively premiering their new single, “Phantom Limb”. Read our interview with the band and listen to the new song below!
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Matt Blankenship Jr: Luke’s good at introducing the band!
Luke Bishop: We have Matt Blankenship Jr on vocals, guitar and piano. Bryan Allan Mears on bass, Nick Lopiano on drums and Luke Bishop on guitar.
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Sometimes Island? How long has the band been around?
Nick Lopiano: I was in several local bands in the Northern VA music scene before I joined No Blitz, which was my first taste of being in a national touring act.
LB: I’m in another band called Red Giant, as well as my solo project Key of Evergreen.
MBJ: This band wasn’t always a band. The Sometimes Island was a solo project with revolving members since 2016. All these guys joined basically a month ago.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
MBJ: We’ve had this name since the beginning. I grew up in Austin, Texas and named it after an island in a lake there. When it rains a lot, the island disappears. Sometimes it’s there. Sometimes not. It’s underwater at the moment.
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?
MBJ: Usually I do. I’ll write on my own or with another songwriter and take ideas to the band.
NL: Matt has been writing the music himself as a solo act. Recently, Matt will take a really rough idea or riff to me to jam out an “outline” for a song.
MBJ: Sometimes I write songs about plants. Other times I write songs about my feelings. I’ll probably start writing more songs about plants.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
LB: Nick, Bryan and I come from a more hardcore/emo background, where as Matt comes from more of a EDM background, but still loves to jam out to all other styles of music.
NL: We always make the joke that if I’m not paying attention to a conversation, we can just say the band name “You Me At Six” and I’ll immediately perk up. Luke and I geek out about hardcore bands, but collectively we love The 1975’s new record.
LB: The 1975 are amazing, and we all generally love 80’s pop music.
Bryan Allan Mears: For me, definitely Panic Division, who I’ve been following for years now. Love all the 80’s synth vibes they bring… and Crosses, who is basically a super group of some of my favorite musicians.
MBJ: You guys are a super group of my favorite musicians.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
NL: I watched Matt play a solo show at Harvard and Stone and was like “let’s do this”.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
BAM: I usually like to of course have a beer, a shot of whisky, then some stretching and push-ups are a must.
MBJ: The sweet spot is two and a half drinks and a veggie burrito.
NL: We all chant “Nick don’t drop your sticks” several times.
MBJ: It seems to work.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
MBJ: It was cool when BuzzNet called us the “future of synthpop”.
LB: Last month we headlined an amazing first show as a band at The Factory in Downtown LA.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
NL: The 1975 or You Me At Six, just so we could watch them play every night.
LB: The 1975, and the Foo Fighters, cause that would be so sick!
BAM: I guess I should maybe say The 1975 because Luke and Nick really really like talking about that band.
MBJ: Fleetwood Mac, so Stevie could sing Dreams to us. Then everyone could all cheat on each other with everyone.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
MBJ: We’re performing next in Los Angeles at Pour Vous on May 30. We’re psyched that Phantom Limb is finally out, and we’re dropping a music video for it in July. After that we’re touring Texas and the west coast, and will have a new release out every month this year.
