Seattle – Since the release of their hit debut single “High” in spring 2014, Young Rising Sons have become a band to watch. The alt-rock four-piece, made up of Andy Tongren (vocals/guitar), Dylan Scott (lead guitar), Julian Dimagiba (bass), and Steve Patrick (drums), craft catchy, listenable pop-rock shaded with New York grit, as heard on their self-titled EP.
On the cusp of hitting the road for the next four months, first with Halsey and then The Kooks and Joywave, bassist Dimagiba took the time to answer a few questions for Best New Bands via e-mail about the band’s history, their upcoming album, influences, and more.
Caitlin Peterkin: How did the band form?
Julian Dimagiba: Steve, Dylan, and I all grew up in the same area playing in different bands together in central New Jersey. We found Andy when he was playing acoustic at an open mic night at a bar in New York City. We approached him afterwards to come see if he wanted to come jam with us and it worked out pretty well.
CP: Tell us about your hit single “High” – who wrote it? What is its backstory? Were you surprised by its critical reception?
JD: We wrote that song at a time when, after five or so years of playing together and working and struggling and dealing with a lot of negativity and BS, things started to pick up for us in the direction we wanted to go in. We were hoping that that song would turn heads, but we were blown away by how positively received it (was).
CP: You’re about to embark on a huge tour with some big-name bands. How do you feel? How did it come to be? Do you have any pre-show routines?
JD: Going on tour in general is always a great thing. Going out with these big-name bands is a huge added bonus. It’s a huge honor and privilege for us to be asked to go on them with those bands. Definitely a good feeling. As far as pre-show rituals, if anyone has ever seen the movie Almost Famous (one of our favorite movies), we do our own version of Stillwater’s pre-show chant.
CP: Do you have any specific cities or venues you’re most excited about playing?
JD: As far as cities that we’re stoked to play, we always love playing Chicago, LA, Austin, and Phoenix. It’s also always good to play back east in New York City. There’s always something different and special in every city.
CP: What’s your favorite thing about performing live?
JD: Being up there knowing that this is something that we have always wanted to do since we were super young, and we finally get to do it full-time. Seeing a positive reaction from our fans, new and old, is always a giant plus.
CP: How’s the full-length coming along? When can we expect a release?
JD: The full-length is coming along well! We’re actually done tracking it; we’re just waiting back for mixes and whatnot. We’re thinking an April or May release, hopefully.
CP: Who are your biggest influences? Where do you draw inspiration for lyrics and compositions?
JD: We have our individual influences, ranging from old school classic rock, punk rock, Americana rock, some Motown soul. Bruce, Tom Petty, Queen, Rancid, The Four Tops, it’s all over the place. As far as lyrics and compositions, a lot of it is just what we’re feeling at the time.
CP: What can we look forward to from you later this year?
JD: As far as this year goes, we’re just looking forward to releasing our debut full length via Dirty Canvas/Interscope and just continuing to tour and play for our fans all over.
Catch Young Rising Sons on tour this spring.
Caitlin Peterkin
With degrees in journalism and music, Caitlin’s written for Paste Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and MajoringinMusic.com. She loves cheese, laughing at GIFs of corgis, road trip sing-alongs, and connecting with people over good beer and good music.
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