Music Spotlight: Spanish Love Songs

Oct 15

Oct 15 Music Spotlight: Spanish Love Songs

When we discovered La-based rock band Spanish Love Songs, we fell in love at first listen. the band, composed of guitarist + vocalist Dylan Slocum, guitarist Kyle McAulay, bassist Gabe Mayeshiro, drummer Ruben Duarte, + keyboardist Meredith Van Woert, released their latest album schmaltz, this past March. the 11-track album contains some of the most honest, relatable lyrics we’ve ever heard, expressing feelings of anxiety, depression and self-doubt. we’re so stoked to chat with dylan about the album + what’s next for the band.

Asymmetric Magazine: So, you guys just released an album Schmaltz back in March, can you tell us a little bit about the album?
Dylan Slocum: We did! It's our second official album, but it's really the first cohesive thing we've ever written all together. It's an album about navigating anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, written mostly as I was approaching 30 and feeling all over the place emotionally. There aren't any answers, but I like to think it's a nice album to listen to when you're feeling alone.

AM: What’s the meaning behind the album title?
DS: It's a play on the word meaning something that's excessively sentimental or cheesy. These are earnest songs, and a lot of people find sincerity lame, so we figured we'd lean into it.

AM: What’s your favorite song to play live off of the record?
DS: It's Not Interesting since it's my favorite song off the album and has this great build and singalong that is a ton of fun live.

AM: How would you describe your sound?
DS: We call ourselves a big, loud rock band. Other people call us indie or punk. We play real instruments and make a lot of noise for emotional impact, and I sing about real things from my life in earnest.

AM: What themes do you typically pursue through your music?
DS: Schmaltz is about confronting a lot of my flaws and shortcomings, especially in relation to my anxiety and depression. A lot of what I sing about is about just figuring out how to get by. I still haven't figured out the best ways to deal with losing someone, or feeling like a failure, or even getting out of bed some days when it feels like the world has gone insane (which seems to happen a lot these days). I know a lot of other people who feel the same way, so I just want them to know they're not alone in feeling lost.

I still haven't figured out the best ways to deal with losing someone, or feeling like a failure, or even getting out of bed some days when it feels like the world has gone insane (which seems to happen a lot these days). I know a lot of other people who feel the same way, so I just want them to know they're not alone in feeling lost.

AM: What other musicians are currently inspiring you?
DS: The Dirty Nil, Restorations, Bruce Springsteen, Culture Abuse, Manchester Orchestra

AM: What role does Los Angeles play in your work?
DS: Living in one of the most expensive cities on earth, where people fail at their dreams on a regular basis, certainly exacerbates my own anxieties. But lately, a lot more of the city's social problems have been weighing on my mind—gentrification and displacement, the housing shortage, people working three minimum wage jobs to survive, etc. I'm not sure how it will influence what we do next, but I have to think it will.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self/music?
NAME: On stage. There's nothing else like it. I'm not worried about looking or sounding dumb or if the songs are good enough. I get to turn up my guitar, tune the noise out, and shout into a mic for 30 mins. I love it more than anything.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
NAME: We're figuring that out! I know we'll have a cover we did for a charity compilation coming out soon. Beyond that, we're about to go rent our first official practice space and write our next album. I have an idea of what I want it to be, but it'll end up sounding completely different. I can't wait.