Music Spotlight: FITNESS

Sep 7

Sep 7 Music Spotlight: FITNESS

we're huge fans of la-based electro-pop duo FITNESS, composed of Max Collins + Kenny Carkeet. the two masterminds flawlessly combine rock melodies + synth pop in their new release–their first full-length album. we chatted with Max about the making of the album + what's next for the band. if you're in la, be sure to catch their free show at the hi hat Saturday, September 8.

Asymmetric Magazine: Thank you for talking with us! We’ve been fans since your release of Get Dead, and now you have a full-length album out. Tell us about Karate.
Max Collins: Yeah–we decided to go against all reasonable counsel and make a full length. We just write all the time and started to accrue a bunch of songs, and we were like why not just put'm out.

AM: What was the process like writing and creating this album?
MC: We always start with a Kenny track in various stages of completion. Once there’s a chord bed, I start to sing melody and phrase into my voice memos until I stumble on something that feels exciting. Once the melodic sketch is there, I start plugging in the words.

AM: How does this album compare to your previous work, such as your Aggroculture EP?
MC: With Aggroculture, we didn’t have a sense of identity as a band yet. We were just trying things and experimenting. With Karate, we had more of a comprehension of what Fitness is as an attitude and the bounds that we were comfortable moving between.

AM: How would you describe your sound?
MC: I like to call it post-everything-core.

AM: What themes do you typically pursue through your music?
MC: We kind of just dive into the experience of the moment musically. We go off of instinct–what feels good. There’s very little analysis involved. Same with the lyrics: What’s going on in my mind right now. Then kind of getting out of the way and taking divine dictation. If there are overarching themes, I’m too close to be able to tell what they are.

AM: What role does Los Angeles play in your work?
MC: LA is all over the record. It’s so much of who we are. The 5 and 405 get shout outs in Matter Of Time and Cold Rain. We’re inextricably linked with the place.

LA is all over the record. It’s so much of who we are. The 5 and 405 get shout outs in Matter Of Time and Cold Rain. We’re inextricably linked with the place.

AM: What other musicians are currently inspiring you?
MC: Winnetka Bowling League is a really cool new band. Love Sleaford Mods. Love the new Eminem. The record I’ve been listening to the most is The Kinks Village Green Preservation Society.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self/music?
MC: Our studio in Lake Balboa.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
MC: We’re doing the Alt Nation tour with Big Data and Castlecomer in October and looking at another rad opportunity in January. We’re also getting back in the studio and starting to work on new music.