By: Skyler Johnson
Indie pop outfit Clubhouse (Forrest Taylor, Ari Blumer, Zak Blumer, Forrest Taylor, Michael Berthold) recently released Are We Going Too Slow, featuring the song: “Home Videos.” 360 Magazine interviewed the band about their music, fame, and their midwestern upbringings.
You all have been friends for a very long time? How did you meet? What are some of the most important memories you have together outside of the band?
[Max] I met Zak and Ari when we were in middle school, and we started playing together doing covers mostly. We started writing originals and taking things more seriously when we went to college, where we met Mike and Forrest. Some of our favorite memories together are from this big party we have every year for the holidays. All of our families get together to have the most ridiculous white elephant gift exchange.
What, as a band, are you most proud of having accomplished?
[Forrest] We’re really proud of this new EP. It’s the first true body of work we’ve done and we’re so excited to share it with everyone!
What would you say are the core things that inspire and drive the band?
[Zak] I think the biggest thing is that we’re constantly bouncing ideas off each other in the studio. We all co-write and produce, so being able to explore with everyone’s different styles is what drives the creative inspiration.
What was the inspiration behind the name Clubhouse?
[Ari] When we were younger, there was this separate little office/studio space in my backyard. In high school we hung out there all the time, so when we were thinking of a name, ‘Clubhouse’ just kind of felt right.
What are your favorite memories of being from the Midwest? What do you think the Midwest should be proud of/known for?
[Mike] I’m from Cleveland so some of my favorite Midwest memories are getting together with friends and family in the fall to watch the Browns! My favorite part about the Midwest is that time of year, with the leaves changing color and the temperature getting a little cooler.
What is the best fan interaction you’ve had?
[Max] We had a fan reach out to us a while ago asking me to write out a lyric from The Weeknd in my handwriting and send it to her so she could get it tattooed on her!
What would you like to accomplish as a band? Are there any awards you’d like to win or a venue you’d love to play at?
[Mike] A venue I’ve always wanted to play at is Red Rocks. That would be so incredible!
How has the band adjusted or repositioned while dealing with Max Reichert’s cancer diagnosis? How has it made you closer or strong?
[Zak] Going through something like that together was the hardest thing imaginable. But through all of that I think we really found ourselves. We stopped caring so much about how we were going to define our music and just started creating for fun again. We bonded for life going through that.
What are you the most proud of when you look back at the creation of Are We Going Too Slow?
[Forrest] We were really able to bring in all of the different sounds and styles we love on this project. We didn’t force ourselves into any box, just made the music we love.
