Bipolar Joyride opens up about their experiences within the Houston music scene, their biggest influences and their recently released EP.
Bipolar Joyride’s slogan, “Indie with a Bite”, stays true within the band’s music and demeanor. The three-piece has played countless shows and doubled their following in this year alone. They released their debut EP Hop On in March, and the three tracks featured have become live-performance staples that the audience can sing and jam along to. Without a doubt, Bipolar Joyride is prominent within Houston’s flourishing music scene. Off Record Blog had the opportunity to speak to Bipolar Joyride’s members about the band and what’s in store for them.
ORB: Who would you guys consider to be your biggest music inspirations?
Logan Allison (LA): We each bring totally different genres and eras to the band. My personal biggest inspirations are White Denim, Led Zeppelin, and Steely Dan. Specifically in my approach to the drums are Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck Quartet), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Danny Seraphine (Chicago), and Josh Block (White Denim).
Cullen Cauble (CC): I would say my biggest inspirations as far as my writing would be bands like PUP or Modern Baseball. As far my playing style goes, I would credit the combination of Jesse Sendejas of Days N Daze and the Backseat Lovers as a whole.
Isaac Burch (IB): Starting out, I used to play bass for my church. They needed someone to play and I had only played guitar before, I figured it couldn’t be that hard. I’ve been playing ever since. I’d say its hard to pin it down to a couple, but I’ve always enjoyed the works of Modern Baseball, Slaughter Beach Dog, Nouns, The Thins Bloods, and PUP just to name a few. I’ve always loved video game soundtracks and take a lot of inspiration in my writing from all the games I’ve played growing up. If you’d like to know more I’m always willing to exchange music!
LA: He exchanges good music, too. He brings value to every trade.
IB: Thanks Logan!
ORB: I love it! Those are some great artists. So, what is the most important lesson you have learned since becoming a part of Houston’s booming music scene and what advice would you give to any new bands just starting out?
LA: If you’re new to the scene, make friends with everyone, play every show you can, grow your friendships with other artists, don’t see yourself on a pedestal, and play good music. If you see a band that you don’t think plays good music, make better music and you’ll get shows. I’d also say not to quit your day job, but also to not forget your passion. None of us are in the scene for its immediate lucrative business opportunities.
CC: Just keep going to keep moving. I feel like I’ve seen so many bands come and go. So many people gave up. A solid of the bands Logan and I came up playing with just don’t exist anymore. It’s crazy to look back at the hardships we felt with like losing members and being on our own for so long and feeling unseen but now we are better than ever with music we are proud to play.
IB: Its always about the music. Enjoying something you create with other people can be a rewarding experience, not just for yourself but for those listening as well. I’ve learned that trying new things and having fun are the most important when it comes to writing music. If you’re having fun, then its likely the audience will too. Some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had involve completely winging it when time needs filled. Who knows, you may find just what you’ve been looking for!
ORB: Cullen and Logan, for a long time you guys were a duo. How did it feel once you finally brought Isaac on permanently as your bassist after using fill-ins for so long?
LA: As a drummer, it felt like I finally had a guy who I could work with. We usually had bassists here and there, some like Jack Hamilton (Dante’s Room, Adult Superstition) that played and worked with us pretty frequently, but since we never had anyone permanently until Isaac, I usually never had the time to properly iron out the grooves and counter rhythms that create a good rhythm section. Funnily enough with Isaac, he falls in so easily I never have to. When someone is constantly working with you, you get into a groove, becoming simpatico, and now we just play and it works. It just works. He’s the oil and the bond that keeps this machine somewhat functioning.
IB: I salute you sir. It just works.
CC: It was an insane situation really. I was with Jack Hamilton at a PUP concert, and we just bumped in to Isaac who spoke to Jack about how he was a bassist looking for a band. I interjected and said that I’m in a band looking for a bassist. So Isaac and I swapped numbers and I invited him to come jam with us. We had actually tried out probably 4 other bassists already, but the second Isaac started playing I knew we were finished looking. With no prior practice or having even heard our songs, he was able to perfectly hop in and play along. In the case of multiple songs he elevated them to a level we never thought possible. It lifted a weight of having to plan around a fill-in’s schedule off my shoulders for sure.
LA: That is exactly what happened too, we just so happened to be at the same concert. That was such a stressful time.
ORB: Isaac, how has it felt so far being part of such a cool band? What’s your favorite show you’ve played since joining Bipolar Joyride?
IB: So far, it’s been a blast being able to play live again. I hadn’t played a show for a while, so when I heard they needed someone on bass, I jumped at the opportunity. After some practice and getting to know the band, we had our first show at Bohemeo’s, which went pretty well considering I was new to all of the songs. Since then, we practice every week and are currently writing new music together. Both of these guys are super talented, playing music with them has made these past few months much more memorable for me as a musician and a human being. We played this one show outside at our good friend Jesse Gonzalez’s (Dante’s Room) house, they had a whole pen house with goats, turkeys and chickens. Everyone had a great time! It was hot that day, but they had a hand-built stage and the setting couldn’t have been better.
ORB: You recently released your debut EP Hop On. How has the reception been for the new songs and which is your favorite to play at shows?
IB: I felt like everyone had listened to them live before so when the EP came out, I had just joined. I took a listen and tried to capture the sound and put it to my own playing style. When we started playing shows, people seemed to like me as the new addition. The guys even started counting the shows we’ve played together and announce it at every show as an ongoing joke. It’s been fun to say the least. So far “Possum” has been my favorite to play live. I like the energy behind it and its just an overall fun song to play.
CC: My favorite is definitely “Arrhythmia”. Logan’s part always makes me laugh and the crowd always loves it. “Possum” is also one of my favorites. I would say the reception has been great considering that since the release we got a permanent bassist and our Instagram following has nearly doubled.
LA: I’ve shown the EP to everyone, even customers at the pool supply store I work at. They all seem to really dig what we’re doing, especially seeing as it’s a debut. My favorite new song live is either “Quincy” since it’s about my dead dog, or “Arrhythmia” because of my improvisational part. “Possum” rocks, too.
ORB: What was the most memorable part of recording and releasing Hop On, and what’s your favorite track from the EP?
CC: The most memorable parts for me were probably while tracking “Quincy”. I remember us trying to force the song to fit one click track and no matter what we did it just wasn’t right, so we tried it without a click and all the sudden it was perfect. Later while tracking vocals, I remember cracking up because I was singing so loud at one point in the song I was peaking the mic, which had apparently never happened before to the guy we were recording with and I remember feeling so proud.
LA: When the click track wasn’t working for “Quincy”, I became very upset because I thought it was me who couldn’t play to it. I remember concentrating really hard to find an answer when Cullen said, “I can tell by your face that you’re thinking really hard!” Brian Baker, our producer in the studio, said, “Stop thinking. Your job is to play, my job is to think. We’ll start the click in the beginning and we’ll drop it out in the chorus.” And the song all of a sudden just worked and clicked in a way I didn’t think I could be a part of. Brian really made that EP come together in a way I couldn’t believe.
ORB: Do you have plans to record more originals soon? If so, when can we expect new music from Bipolar Joyride?
LA: We have some good tunes in the factory. I think we’re just ironing stuff out and picking what best suits our current sound, which means we have to soul search for what our current sound is. Every song we write in my living room gets proven and worked out when we play it live. I’m excited for what we have in store! Cullen and I had some good studio time with another group in Lubbock earlier this year, so we’ll take what we learned and apply it in the coming months for a groovy little release.
IB: All I can say as of now is new music is on the way, and personally I can’t wait to unveil what we’ve been working on. They say two heads are better than one but with the three of us and our different backgrounds, the table always has so much to offer. Stay tuned!
CC: As far as release dates, that’s anyone’s guess but I think my pipe dream would be by like November or December. We will hopefully be recording soon.
ORB: Before we wrap up, I must know. Does Bipolar Joyride have any exciting show dates booked for the rest of the year?
CC: As of right now, the only shows we have booked are October 13th at the third year of Nightmare on Polk Street (Super Happy Fun Land) and October 21st at the second annual Monster Mash (undisclosed location).
LA: Nightmare on Polk Street. I’ve been in the audience for the past two years for it and now we’ll be on the stage! Well, last year Cullen and I climbed on stage, but that doesn’t count. It’s an amazing opportunity that I’m so keen on us showing off with! I feel so honored to have stumbled into this scene and now with our next couple of big shows for the scene, it feels good to know that we’re embedded in the zeitgeist of the indie concert public.
IB: Spooky shows for a spooky month! If you think you’re too old to trick or treat, you’re not and they are lying to you. Happy Halloween!
ORB: That’s so exciting! Is there anything else you guys want to add?
IB: This interview is a first for me as a part of a band so I’m just happy I could be here, it was a lot of fun! I look forward to seeing you all in the crowd!
LA: I’d like to give a call to action, if I may. The Houston music scene is not well known even to Houstonians, and that’s a shame. We have a vibrant and diverse scene that only needs more bodies in the clubs and venues to make it big. If more people went to just random shows, I think our scene could be the next Austin.
Stream Hop On by Bipolar Joyride on Spotify and Apple Music.
Connect with Bipolar Joyride: Instagram | Youtube
(NOTE: ALL OF OFF RECORD BLOG INTERVIEWS ARE MINIMALLY EDITED FOR LENGTH)
I’m a Houston based photographer who loves being around live music and all the creative people involved in the local music scene. I enjoy capturing performers and artists doing what they love and the essence of how live music makes people feel. When Im not behind the lens, I love trying new things and visiting new places.
