Justine Brown is Easy Love

Interview conducted on May 25

By Dan Locke

Hazy existentialism can transform a pretty melody into a guilt-ridden Dear John Letter. It can take the bratty simplicity of licking a lollipop on the boardwalk, whistling “Les Sucettes,” and make it as heavy as clouds pillowing the California sun. Two years ago, Justine Brown—the 28-year-old drummer of dream-pop duo Summer Twins—began to explore the anxiety associated with regret. She was lovesick, secluded in her family home in Riverside, California. She had an electric guitar and a shoebox filled with painful memories. She referred to her project as “Easy Love.

What is your upbringing?

I grew up in Riverside, CA. I had a great childhood surrounded by cats, crafts, music, and nature. My parents were (and still are) into fashion and had lots of cool vintage collections of stuff. They opened their first store when I was a baby and filled it with things, they would find at thrift stores. My dad used to take the family on trips to his bluegrass festivals around California. 

How did you discover music? 

My babysitters bought me a Weezer and Green Day CD when I was super little. One of my earliest memories is dancing to Weezer’s blue album. I still love it. 

How did you start to write music? 

I was very inspired by touring and seeing other bands. I wrote two songs on the last Summer Twins album Limbo. Shortly after, I went through a tough breakup and had an album’s worth of songs. I decided to start my own project at that point. 

Do you remember how you got your first guitar? 

My dad bought me my first acoustic. This was just a few years ago. My first electric guitar was a classic black and white Dan Electro from the ’90s.

And do you still have it? 

Yes, I do, but I don’t usually play it sadly. I’ve been using my sister’s, Gibson Melody Maker. 

What was your first live performance like? 

As a rock band, my first performance was when I was a freshman in High school I believe. Our band was called XMP or (X-paired Meat Pattie). I still get embarrassed talking about that name! It was at a coffee shop in Riverside that no longer exists called Coffee Depot. We played a few covers and 1 original. I don’t remember much of it because this was 16 years ago, but I know I had a great time! I wasn’t THAT nervous because I was behind the drum kit. 

One of the first bands you were in was Summer Twins. How was it being in a band with your sister and how do you think it helped you to become a better musician?

I learned so much from the opportunities we were lucky to experience. I learned how to play shows in different environments and how to socialize! I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable starting a band of my own if it weren’t for all those years of touring. I’m so grateful for her perseverance. It was hard sometimes when we had different visions, but we got along very well most of the time! 

In Summer Twins you played the drums. Why? 

Easy Love
Easy Love

I started drums when I was 15, not because I necessarily wanted to, but because it was the missing instrument that we needed to complete the three pieces my sister and I were starting with our friend Mia (XMP). I realized that I was good at it and continued to play shows. I never ever imagined a future where I was touring in a rock band though! 

During the time you were in Summer Twins you headed down to SXSW. During the time at SXSW you were able to watch Melle and Mozes and the Firstborn. And you got to see him playing guitar. And you just fell in love with his playing and you decided you want to start your own band and play guitar. Tell me about that moment?

We did a tour with Burger Records stopping in different places on our way out to SXSW. It was called Burger Caravan. It was so much fun! There were so many great bands on that tour including Mozes & the Firstborn. I remember Melle would shred on the guitar and really get the audience revved up. He would jump into the crowd and roll around on the floor. It was captivating. I listened to their album a lot during that time and learned one of the songs from it. This is the moment I decided to get more into the guitar. 

How the band did get its name? 

My friend Michael thought of the name. It’s so simple and universal. No one else had taken it already! 

Your sophomore album “Wander Feeler” is being released on June 26th. You are pushing the vinyl release why?

I think vinyl is so special. Listening to an album all the way through is the way (I think) it’s meant to be listened to. It’s tough these days to actually get someone to be interested in doing that with the way our attention spans is. I’m guilty of it myself. Vinyl is the way to slow down and listen to one complete piece of work. 

Tell me about the album?

I had written a batch of songs in the last few years. When I wrote them, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them. I just sort of waited until I had enough to make an album and it worked out because the ones, I liked seemed to fit with each other. 

You did the recording of the album in a month. Why did you rush it? 

I needed to get it done in a short amount of time because the guy I wanted to work with living on the other side of the country! I had to make sure all of the demos were complete so I could go in and just lay everything down. It actually was done in one week!

You did the recording with the help of Eric Penna. Who had a collection of guitars? How was it to have your pick on the kind of sound for each song?

It was really great to collaborate on sounds. I am not as technical when It comes to creating a sound based on equipment so Eric was able to help me with that. I would try to explain what I wanted by using examples from other songs and by what I had created in my demos. I definitely had demo-itis where I became attached to the demos. So, I had to let that go and create a new sound, which happened to work out nicely! 

Which guitar was your favorite? 

Honestly, I think my acoustic was my favorite to play. It’s a recording king and has such a nice bright sound. I really enjoy strumming that guitar.

Do you have any kind of guitar collection? 

No, not really! I’m not very interested in owning more than what I need. Maybe sometime in the future, I could appreciate that! 

What is your favorite track on the album? 

“Cool Type” is my absolute favorite. I’m so happy with how that one came out! I’m also excited to release the music video that I filmed for it awhile back. 

How do you stay healthy while touring?

I eat oatmeal for breakfast as much as possible. I get salads from the subway. I try to find grass at gas stops to do some stretches and maybe a short workout. 

What are your feelings about streaming music?

I am really dependent on it now. I use Spotify every day. It’s not so good for the artist in a way that they don’t get paid enough, but it’s good in a way that their music is accessible since most people use the app! 

Digital vs. vinyl? 

It depends on my mood and what I’m doing. I like to be able to stream music when I go on walks. I also really enjoy listening to a vinyl record on the other hand because I’m putting in the time to enjoy this whole piece of work someone created, rather than stream one song from an album. 

Any plans to tour? 

Not at the moment! Maybe I’ll start planning something for next year when the time comes. 

What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?

“Two Sisters” by the Kinks has been on my mind lately. I like this one because it’s such a nice story and lesson. I have a sister and can understand the jealousy one feels sometimes when you don’t feel up to par., I tend to compare myself to others around me, especially those that are so close to me. It’s such a sweet song. I love the harpsichord and the way the rhythm changes throughout the song. I also like the happy ending. I could listen to it on repeat! 

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

I think people might be more willing to start up a vinyl collection in this environment. Playing vinyl in my living room has never really been a thing for me until now. I have more time to enjoy full albums. I’m working on setting up my Burger Records portable cassette player so I can hook it up to our house stereo and start listening to my cassette collection! I’m really excited to listen to more cassettes and vinyl. I think others will be too. 

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

I’ve been prepping to release my new album, working for my parents part-time, drawing, playing my roommate’s Wurlitzer, running, going on walks, exploring the Angeles forest with my partner, cooking, watching tons of movies and shows, listening to podcasts, and organizing and setting up my new room (I just moved into a new house). 

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I’ve re-discovered my love for drawing! I’m so excited to work with different mediums. I’ve been using pencils and pens but want to get more into watercolors. I’ve been working on some designs for Easy Love merchandise!

Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?

I would like to plan one for my album release. I haven’t figured that out yet though! I’ve been taking a break from playing live, though I did do some short Instagram live streams on other people’s accounts. 

Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?

I think it would be tough, but doable. I saw a really great one that Jay Bellerose did where he charged $10 for the online stream and set up in a nice studio. I think if it’s done right, it can almost be better than an in-person concert because the sound is more controlled and in the comfort of your own home, which I really like! 

First, it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally, Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?

I don’t really know what to think, but I believe that this could be a reality!

What about Holographic concerts in our living room? 

Wow, I don’t even know how that could happen, but I would love to do one of those! 

How do you see yourself in the next five years?

This is such a great question because it’s something that I didn’t think about much until now. It’s starting to become more important to have a 5-year plan since I’m in my 30’s now. I hope to settle down in a place (outside of LA) where I can set up a home studio and surround myself with animals. I want to have a business where I am making a living while donating to charities that matter to me. I want to travel and be out in nature as much as possible. 

Anything you would like to say in closing?

I hope everyone is spending time out in nature connecting with the Earth during this crisis! It’s a great way to stay grounded and present. 

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