Q: These lyrics are very relatable, echoing with imagery in the theme that it “all keeps coming back to you”. In your own words, what is this song about, and have there been any inspirations in your own life that led you to write “Back To You”?
MOTEL 86: I (Jaden Bricker) guess it could take on a lot of meanings, I’ve definitely felt many times in my life that I was wasting my life away while those around me were taking the time to chase after their goals. So I guess the line “it all keeps coming back to you” could refer to the idea that it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to get to where it is we want to be. Which is cool, because that epiphany is what got this band together.
Q: This song really rocks while having a feel-good vibe and polished recording.Walk us through your writing and production process in making “Back To You”.
MOTEL 86: We gotta be honest-this song is actually a cover of an indie folk song! We discovered this great, obscure song by The Twerps while planning to record our original material, and we decided to “punk it up” and crank up the electric guitars when the original is very stripped down. We wanted to use it as a blueprint for how our original material should sound-laid back, feel-good, but also loud and fast. As far as production, we just set up in my living room and recorded vocals in my car because it was the most soundproof place we had. We did the same on the album with our original songs and the result is a very cool sound that’s our very own.
Q: Your performance and style seems fine-tuned. What first got you into music, and how long have you been playing?
MOTEL 86: Thanks! We work really hard on making sure we have an original and consistent playing style because we want to stay true to ourselves. I (Jaden) grew up in a very musical house with parents who were big music fans, so I was introduced to Nirvana, Guns N Roses, and all sorts of rock music at a very young age. My parents caved and bought me an electric guitar at 13 and I haven’t stopped playing everyday for 8 years. As for Ellie, our drummer who is unfortunately unavailable while I answer these questions, also grew up in a musical home and has been playing drums and guitar for a good portion of her life. She even went to school for recording music, so she’s a good asset for me who is completely self-taught.
Q: It seems your Instagram is relatively new. When did your band first start, and how did you come together?
MOTEL 86: We just started the band back in August of 2020. We met in college earlier in the year and instantly bonded over a love for playing, recording, and listening to the same styles of music. When COVID hit the US, I couldn’t afford to stay in Redding, so I had to move back to Washington State with my parents and continue school online. Being back with my parents, back in that room I had written all these songs in, I felt a spiritual kick in the seat of my pants to move past the fear and actually start moving forward with my passion. So I contacted Ellie who was living in England at the time and recruited her to be in my band and she enthusiastically agreed. So after that summer we regrouped in Redding and started recording.
Q: What has been one of the highlights of your music career so far?
MOTEL 86: I guess the best part is how quickly people have responded and resonated with our music. We’re really grateful most of all for the great encouragement from friends, fans, and local businesses.
Q: What has been, so far, your favorite song to perform and why?
MOTEL 86: We love playing Back To You because it’s very energetic and uplifting, it just gets us in a good mood. Personally, I love playing Ramona because it has a great rhythm, the solo is fun to play, and I’m just really proud of writing it.
Q: What would you like to say to your fans out there?
MOTEL 86: We want to say that we see you! We hear you! We love you! We appreciate everything you guys do and say for us!
