Brooklyn-based Calvin Langman, Ross Monteith, and Luke Davis open up about releasing their new single "Another Try" featuring B-Side “Cold Turkey."
Let's do introductions with the band, by the band.
Calvin: I’m Calvin and I play cello! I grew up playing classical music but my passion has always been indie rock so I dropped out of college after my Freshman year to be in this band.
Ross: My name is Ross and I play guitar! I’m scouring the earth looking for the hottest hot sauce ever.
Luke: My name is Luke and I play drums! I like to play video games!
The Happy Fits consists of the three of you: Calvin, Ross, and Luke. How did you all meet and why did you decide to become a band?
Calvin: We all went to the same high school but never really hung out. I don’t even think I talked to Luke until after graduation. Ross and I started making covers together in the senior year of high school but we quickly moved on to writing original music. In the summer before going off to college we wanted to record an EP for our friends and family. Luke was a grade above us and hung out with Ross’ brother a lot so we heard he played drums through the grapevine. We asked him to be on the EP for $70 and I think it was the most money he’d ever seen haha. After the EP started getting some Spotify love in September/October, we all decided to leave school to pursue our collective dream of being in a band.
In 2020, your sophomore album “What could be better” came out. How would you describe the album to a new fan?
Calvin: What Could Be Better was inspired a lot by our time in the basement scene in the early days. We realized really fast and upbeat songs resonated with those crowds (and us too!) so we were envisioning a record that would get the audience super hyped up. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made it so we haven’t been able to tour on it…. yet. What Could Be Better is definitely on the poppier side of our sound, so lookout for a rockier 3rd record.
You have already been recognized and on the watch list for many well-known organizations like The Grammy Foundation and Dujour. Did you all think your first album would get so much attention so fast?
Luke: We’ve been DIY grinding for around five years so we’ve felt a consistent but gradual rise in hype. It definitely helps keep the motivation fresh when big orgs like that recognize us. The NPR Fresh Air review we got was utterly jaw-dropping as we weren’t expecting something like that until our 30’s. It was definitely very affirming to have written such a personal album that was very true to ourselves and see it genuinely resonate with listeners.
What is something you wish someone told you before you chose this industry?
Ross: You’re going to have to do a lot more than play music. With social media making the barrier to entry is so low nowadays you’re going to have to keep up with everything to stand out.
Luke: Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice. We essentially googled ourselves to success in the early years.
Your band name is The Happy Fits, how did you come up with that band name? Story behind the idea?
Calvin: I grew up a really happy kid and one of my mantra’s was “it’s nice to be nice." As my rose-tinted glasses have become a bit more opaque through the years, I find myself writing about trying to find the positive through all the mayhem life puts you through. If not in the lyrics, at least in the vibe and sound of the music and melody.
You have an upcoming WCBB tour from November 2021 through December 2021. Where can people find tickets and what are you each looking forward to the most?
Calvin: Tickets are available on TheHappyFits.com. To be honest, I’m looking forward to jumping my head off every night and hearing the fans sing the 2nd album. It’s been too long!
Make sure to follow The Happy Fits on Insta and listen to their music on Spotify and every streaming platform. Don't forget to check out their livestream shows on their Youtube channel.