Photo by Sun Chaser Studios Ltd.
Colorado’s Modern Suspects, Garret Myers (lead vocals/synth), Bart Williams (guitar) and Tyler Frees (synth/bass) have set out to create a unique yet relatable sound. Their music, affectionately referred to as “popternative,” combines elements of modern technology while remaining timeless and catchy. They seek to be a uniting and positive force for their generation and anyone who is able to hear their music. Their hope is that you leave their shows feeling a sense of unity and warmth. Be sure to check them out at Denver Day of Rock on Saturday, May 23rd at the Skyline 2 stage from 2:45-3:35.
Twelve year old Maydha Kumar from Denver Writes talked with Modern Suspects to find out about what inspired the cover art for their debut EP which was just recently released, how to do a proper hi-five, and where they see themselves in two years.
Maydha Kumar: Ok, so I made up a lot of questions instead of going with the typical ones, and I have questions for each of you individually, ok?
Modern Suspects: Can I ask you a question?
MK: Yes.
MS: What’s your name?
MK: [Laughing.] Sorry, I’m Maydha.
MS: Maydha?
MK: Yes.
MS: That’s a beautiful name.
MK: Thank you. So, does your EP have a theme running through it?
MS: Yes, it does, to some degree. The music talks quite a lot about change, so that is a consistent theme through the music. But maybe even more consistent is just acknowledging the fact that we want something more than just average. We want something better than just ok. We want something great and not good.
MK: Okay, I get that. Would you make a soundtrack for a movie?
MS: Absolutely! That would be so much fun. I would love that. I think the three of us are just nerdy enough that we definitely would do that. Yes!
ML: Ok, so Garret, what brought you to Colorado from California?
Garret Myers: Well, I was quite a bit younger, and my parents moved out here, so, I kind of moved with them because I didn’t really have a choice. [Everyone laughs.] They said, “We’re going to Colorado,” and I said, “Okay.”
MK: Bart, who was your least favorite teacher?
Bart Williams: Ohhh, my least favorite teacher? Oh my goodness. Considering the fact that when I was growing up and going to school I was home-schooled, my mother was my teacher. [Everyone laughs.] So, I would say that she was probably the best and the worst because she would be able to give me homework and ground me.
MK: Tyler, did you ever play at talent shows?
Tyler Frees: I actually did. I played quite a few of those. Main ones were in high school with my brother. We played some different musical stuff. Arcade Fire was a good band we covered. Those were some of the most fun times playing music that I’ve ever had.
MK: What do you think of them now?
TF: I still encourage them. Yes, I would go to talent shows. They’re always fun and unpredictable, you never know what somebody might be good at.
MK: Ok, so I saw your video “Hi-Five Friend” on your YouTube channel. So, what is the proper way to do a hi-five?
MS: Laughs. Oh man. Which one was that for? Ok, so the proper technique for a hi-five? The best way to approach a good, solid hi-five, believe it or not, is to look at the person straight at their elbow. If you watch their elbow, I don’t know why, I don’t know how but it always works, it never fails. If you look at the other person’s elbow you’re going to nail it every time. [Everyone laughs.]
MK: Ok, how did you come up with the song name “Sequel”?
MS: Well, the song is actually one of our favorite songs. We love the meaning behind it, and the title actually came naturally because of the meaning. What the song is about is realizing that you need to live right now, don’t waste time, just love life, love people, enjoy it. Just always look at the positive, not the negative because there’s not a sequel. We get one chance to make someone’s day, and let’s do it right now. So there’s not a sequel. It’s not a movie. Life, we get to do it one time, so let’s love people while we can.
MK: That’s a good answer. So, how did you come up with the cover for your album?
MS: We actually got in touch with a girl named Taylor Bergen, she lives over in England. We’d seen some of the art she’d done for some other bands. Really talented, hand-drawn art. And so we got in contact with her and asked her if she’d be willing to do some different designs for us, and she was, so that was a great opportunity. She did the artwork for “Told You So” when we released that as a single, and then she also did the artwork for this EP when we released it, and then we had somebody else actually edit it a little bit more, just kind of brought out more of that design.
MK: Ok, where do you want to be in 2 years?
MS: I want to be in New York. [Everyone laughs]. I’d be open to playing almost any venue in New York, because I’ve never been to New York and I want to see it. That’s where I want to be. That’d be great. [Everyone laughs.]
MK: How many songs do you want in your album?
MS: Well, currently we have an EP, which is five songs, and whenever we produce a full-length album, probably 11. 11 seems like a good number to me.
MK: The funny thing is I have exactly 11 questions to ask you.
MS: Serious? That’s awesome.
MK: So, what are your plans for your band?
MS: That’s kind of hard. I feel like all the time we’re talking about our plans and they’re constantly changing, and the timelines for them, whether we want them right now, or five years from now. So overall, I would say our plans are to try and grow as much as we possibly can. Hopefully that looks like having national radio airplay, being able to tour nationally, and then internationally, go to places like Europe or over to Japan. Just crazy traveling for the band. So I would say our big plan is to travel as much as possible and play as many places as we can possibly see.
MK: That’s all the questions I have.
MS: Ok, that’s awesome. How old are you?
MK: I’m 12.
MS: You’re really good at this.
MK: Thank you. [Laughs.]
MODERN || SUSPECTS
Saturday May, 23rd
Skyline 2 Stage
2:45 – 3:35 PM
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