Interview: lovelytheband

Photo by Eric Daniels

In 2018, Los Angeles-based alt-pop trio lovelytheband released their debut album, Finding It Hard to Smile, and their breakout single “broken” stayed on the Billboard “Alternative Rock” chart for a record-breaking seventy-six weeks. (It held #1 spot for nine of those weeks). As of this writing, that song still ranks as the second most successful song in that chart’s history. It perfectly showcased the band’s knack for mixing breezy music with vividly confessional lyrics – a talent lovelytheband have reliably demonstrated as they put out more hit singles, including “nice to know you” and “feel like summer,” among others. They continued this winning streak on August 23, when they released their self-titled fourth album (via happy accident records/Vydia) – and next up, they’ll co-headline a U.S. tour with Mod Sun (full dates listed below). During a recent Zoom video call, vocalist Mitchy Collins told The Big Takeover about this latest album, what inspires him to write such ultra-candid lyrics, and how he went from a music-obsessed kid to making alternative rock history.

How do you feel as you’re about to release this new album?

MITCHY COLLINS: It’s an important one to us. We’re coming up on eight years as a band, and I feel like a self-titled one for any band is important. I think this album for us is a culmination of everything we’ve done, and I think it’s the best work we’ve done, as we grow as people, and as musicians and artists and creators. Obviously, we say that every album, but I truly do believe that. We’re excited to get it out in the world in this crazy music landscape we’re living in now. And hopefully, people like it.

How did you know it was the right time to do another album now?

MITCHY COLLINS: After the success of the last album [2023’s If We’re Being Honest], we just felt like we should keep it moving. Music kept pouring out.

What are you hoping people will think or feel once they hear these new songs for the first time?

MITCHY COLLINS: I’m just hoping people like it. And if it helps them in any way, that’s just a bonus. Maybe some song can soundtrack a favorite memory or a favorite day, or maybe get over a heartbreak or something. That’s all we can hope for.

Did you have any particular themes or ideas that you were hoping to get across with these new songs?

MITCHY COLLINS: Yes and no. It’s weird: I rarely go in with the intention of writing a song on a topic. Sometimes I’ll have a title or something like that. Like “When Your Heart Remembers” – I remember we were in Las Vegas and I had that title, and that idea, but I didn’t know, topically, what we were going to sing about until it just started flowing out. I was like, “OK, that’s what this is about.” Which is what happens a lot with us. I never really know the topic, or what I’m singing about, until a song is done. And then I’m like, “Oh, that’s what that’s about in my life.” It just comes as it does, I guess.

Your lyrics tend to conjure up vivid images and stories – what inspired you to write like that?

MITCHY COLLINS: I guess the music I grew up on. Artists like Bruce Springsteen and Butch Walker. I was big on The Eagles as a kid, and then a lot of Americana folk stuff. Also punk rock. But I always gravitated towards songs that are more storytell-y, and just kind of letting you be able to set yourself in the song.

How did you decide that being a professional musician was what you wanted to do?

MITCHY COLLINS: I’ve never done anything else, really. I wanted to be a skateboarder, like a pro skater, back when I was a young teenager. But then I remember going to the Warped Tour when I was thirteen, and I was like, “I’m going to do this.” And then I started my first band in the eighth grade, and I’ve never done anything else since. So I’m very fortunate in that way. I know that it’s rare for people to find passion that young, that they stick with for their lives. I’m blessed, for sure.

Do you remember the first time where you actually wrote your first song?

MITCHY COLLINS: My dad tells me this story: when we were at Disneyland – I was ten, I think – and there was this song generator thing that you chose a song, and then you got to input lyrics and then it spit out a song. It was a song called “Nobody Understands Me.” And I guess really nothing has changed. [laughs] But the first memory I have [of writing original songs], I guess is probably eighth grade. I mean, they were terrible. But I worked at it and worked at it and worked at it.

When you first formed lovelytheband, did you have your distinctive sound in mind, or did it evolve into it?

MITCHY COLLINS: I knew I wanted to play my electric guitar again and to make music that we could play at music festivals. But other than that, we just got in the studio and started making some stuff, and then it turned out to be lovely, so… We just made what we were feeling, and it worked out.

Do you remember the moment where you realized things were actually going to work out for you with this band?

MITCHY COLLINS: I remember having the feeling, “Oh, something is happening.” It was Music Midtown [Festival] in 2018 in Atlanta. It was our first time playing the main stage at a festival, and it was like 4:00 PM. I remember leaving radio promo with our radio guy, with the band in the car, and being like, “Man, I hope people come. I hope there’s like a thousand people there.” And then our guitar tech was setting up our stage, and I was like, “How’s it looking?” He was like, “You’ll see.” And we walk out and there’s like 25,000 people waiting for us.

What do you think it is that you’ve done with this band that makes your music resonate with people like it has?

MITCHY COLLINS: I can’t really speak to that because I’m not the fans. But I can speak to the fact that I’m honest about what I’m feeling. My life experiences, my heartbreak, my bouts with mental stuff, depression etcetera. Maybe people find solace in that.

You’re about to tour with Mod Sun. What can people expect when they come to one of those shows?

MITCHY COLLINS: A lot of fun, a lot of energy. We’re putting in a mixed bag of old and new songs. Mod and I are really dear friends, so it’s going to be a party. Him and I have been at this since we were kids, and we’re ready to put on a show together. We’re excited to hit the road and we’re excited to sing these songs for people and see how they connect. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do.

What do you think as you look back on what you’ve accomplished with your career so far?

MITCHY COLLINS: I think it’s far beyond what I expected. I’ve been reflecting in the last couple of years, and reminding myself to be proud of myself. Because I’m constantly looking for what’s next, what’s next, what’s next; it helps me push through, push along, keep the band going. But as I look back, I remind myself that wow, we’ve done some stuff. We’ve made history. That’s pretty cool.