To celebrate the release of their fantastic sophomore album ‘Landscape‘ on Frenchkiss Records on 14 September, Brooklyn-based Future Generations were kind enough to put together a playlist of some of their biggest influences.
Sylvan Esso – The Glow
Sylvan Esso is such a big influence for us in terms of their production techniques and songwriting choices. The sounds they choose and when they choose to use them are so utterly interesting and this song epitomizes everything we love about the group. It’s a seemingly simple song but packs so many different movements and changes in texture. It’s something we try to do in our own way in our songs. Plus that snare sound at around 1:40 ;)
Hippo Campus – Buttercup
This song is super intricate and represents everything we love about this band. The vocal melody is super unique, combined with an even more interesting rhythm section. The guitar tones are phenomenal and every member of the band just shines through in this song. Particularly a fan of the “Big” moments in this songs. They just hit really hard.
Phoenix – Lisztomania
An All-Time influence here with Phoenix. Their attitude towards songwriting is one that we admire quite a bit. This song might seem like an obvious influence, but the specific part we drew influence from here is the bridge. Landscape’s bridge is our version of a Phoenix Bridge. But honestly everything from the synths to the drum sounds, to the vocals and those shiny guitars are what we love in a song.
Rostam – Bike Dream
This whole album was simply fantastic and perfectly fit the mood of the season it came out. We love to use weird sounds to make pop songs, whether they come from samples or synths. Rostam does this thing in his production that we really like. He either uses a conventional instrument in a unconventional way, or he uses an unconventional instrument in a conventional way. It’s such a nice balance that makes his songs accessible but still extremely intriguing to listen to.
Tame Impala – Powerlines
Tame Impala is to us (and probably a whole lot of other people) the gold standard for mixing. His drums punch like none other. His synths are somehow brighter and warmer than anyone else’s at the same time. His guitars cut effortlessly. And they all combine to make some really great songs. Attention to detail is probably the biggest influence we get from Tame Impala.
Future Islands – A Dream of You and Me
Sometimes we just love a song that has a steady, pounding rhythm that just won’t stop. This song is such a great example of a song you just don’t want to end. We approached Take Me There with that mindset. It’s a song, like this one, we think is best enjoyed on repeat.
Frank Ocean – Nights
This song and its corresponding album really made a mark on our rhythm section. Of course the groove is fantastic and has its own transformation through the song, but the part that really impressed us is the variations and harmonizing of the same chords. It almost makes the song seem like an improvisation, but it contributes so much to the mood of the song.
Vampire Weekend – Step
Vampire Weekend has always been such an influence with their pop sensibility and their playful production style. We’ve always hooked onto their drums sounds, their vocal effects, and their instrument choices. Most of the time this has led to our VW influenced songs being more upbeat and happy, but on a song like I Never Knew I Was Lonely we mimicked their drum sampling, vocal techniques, and even put a harpsichord in the second verse. But this time we used these influences in a song that isn’t upbeat or playful.
Bahamas – All The Time
Bahamas always has a way of executing their songs in the perfect way. Their songs seem like they wouldn’t be that hard to learn or to play, yet no one can play them like they can. It’s also something that we try and pay attention to. Not just the part that is being played, but how it’s being played. That’s why sometimes the first take is the best take, because nothing else feels the same or WILL feel the same. Also, the ‘Ahhs’ in this chorus influenced the ‘Ahhs’ in Stranger’s chorus.
Salami Rose Joe Lewis – I Miss You So
Mike listened to this song every single day we were in the studio on his way to get tomato basil soup from the deli down the block. Firstly, it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of fall which we were smack dab in the middle of while recording. Secondly, it also represents our new love in the Roland SP303 that made a large impact on the sound of this record. The lo-fi sound of the drums, synths and guitars in this song can be heard sprinkled throughout the record especially on songs like Out Loud and Stranger.
Future Generations on Tour:
- 9/18 Johnny Brenda’s – Philly
- 9/19 DC9 – Washington DC
- 9/20 Evening Muse – Charlotte
- 9/21 The Earl – ATL
- 9/22 High Watt – Nashville
- 9/24 Growlers – Memphis
- 9/26 Gasa Gasa – New Orleans
- 9/27 Warehouse Live (Green Room) – Houston
- 9/28 Hotel Vegas – Austin
- 9/29 Three Links – Dallas
- 10/2 Rebel Lounge – Phoenix
- 10/4 Soda Bar – San Diego
- 10/5 – OC Tavern – San Clemente, CA
- 10/6 The Echo – Los Angeles
- 10/7 Cafe Du Nord – San Francisco
- 10/9 The Holocene – Portland
- 10/10 Barboza – Seattle
- 10/12 Kilby Court – Salt Lake City
- 10/14 – Lost Lake – Denver, CO
- 10/16 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis
- 10/17 Ruby – Madison
- 10/18 Beat Kitchen – Chicago
- 10/19 Zanzabar – Louisville, KY
- 10/20 Beachland Tavern – Cleveland
- 10/21 Baby G – Toronto
- 10/23 Bar Le Ritz – Montreal
- 10/24 Middle East – Boston
- 10/26 Baby’s All Right – New York
