Most bands function like a family, but Family of the Year takes that feeling a step further. Joseph Keefe, Sebastian Keefe, Christina Schroeter, James Buckey and Alex Walker make up this Los Angeles outfit (although the band’s members originate from all over) and have formed unbreakable bonds amongst themselves that come from cohabitating in a run-down house and relying on each other for inspiration and support, which has led to the kind of camaraderie that allows them to finish each other’s sentences. (And, to top it off, Joe Keefe and Sebastian Keefe are real-life siblings.)
To say that the band has accomplished a lot in a short amount of time would be an understatement. They are constantly writing and releasing music and have received a great deal of attention all over the world, including positive reviews from the likes of Spin and Rolling Stone. Even Willy Mason and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler have confessed to being fans. Now they are kicking off what is sure to be their biggest tour yet and will be opening for acts like fun., Macklemore and Tegan and Sara along the way.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Schroeter after SXSW who was able to fit in our questions via email while in between “a sleeping lady and a sleeping dude” during a late night flight to the band’s next destination (a Portland show with fun.) – which is a pretty fitting illustration of the paradox of being in an up and coming band: it’s hard work and isn’t as glamorous as it may seem …but it also can be pretty awesome, too.
How was playing at SXSW this year?
SXSW is always fun, but this year was cool because we weren’t running around like headless chickens going from show to show, hauling gear down alleyways hungover for load in at 10 a.m. We played a few shows, did some interviews and chilled. I mean, I love a crazy SXSW, but after being on the road so much this year, it was kind of nice to just enjoy the festival. Having said all that, it still felt crazy.
How did you guys all come together as a band initially?
LA is a mushpot of musicians and actors and artists mixed with a bunch of kids who didn’t even know they wanted to be musicians and actors and artists. We kind of just met and hung out and the next thing I knew I wanted to be a musician because my friends were doing it, and they’re nice and they let me.
What’s it like being on the road as much as you are? What is a typical day in the life like for you right now?
Right now I’m on a plane. We left SXSW, played a show on St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans – and yes, I got beads and yes, I saw boobs – then we drove to Tampa, which is the complete opposite of where our next show is (Portland). So I’m on a flight to Portland because we’re going to play a show with fun. tomorrow, then we fly back to Tampa the next day to play a show there. Every day is different. This is a typical day and not quite a typical day. I’m less cramped in the van, and I can usually put my legs on top of someone to stretch them out, but right now I’m next to a sleeping lady and a sleeping dude.
What was it like touring with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros?
That was one of our first tours, so we were full of energy – and it was one of our favorite bands, so it was awesome. We had an RV at the time, and they had a tour bus. A lot of nights were spent out in the parking lots of the venues drinking and hanging out after our shows.
It seems like you guys are consistently releasing new music. What is your writing process like and how are you able to keep making new music and writing new songs while you’re on the road?
Joe writes a lot of the music we all try to help out with the lyrics. Our banger jams are more likely written by all of us hanging out together, and Joe writes a lot of the lovely songs. It’s a little more difficult to write while on the road. There was something special about getting a bottle of wine or two and posting up at our old apartment and writing and recording music. It’s not so easy lately because we have a lot of driving and sleeping and radio things and shows to play, but whenever we have any free time, we’re probably working on something.
What inspires you when it comes to songwriting and making new music?
I think we write about what we absorb from everything and everyone.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the band?
It is definitely the toughest and most fun job I’ve ever had. I can’t believe it’s a job because it’s probably my worst paying one but definitely the most challenging. Like every ounce of my being is challenged every single day. I’m totally exercising my people skills and my arms are getting buff from loading stuff, and even though I cry about it every day, I could probably run a small business from doing merch every night. But really I couldn’t ask for a better deal. I get to hang out with my best friends every single day and play all these songs we wrote and I get to dress up like I’m going out on the town every night and I see the world! And I don’t have to drive the van because I’m a girl!
Do you have any good memories from playing in Ann Arbor before? Is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to when you come back?
We played in Ann Arbor not too long ago, and it was snowing, which is always a treat and a challenge for me because I’m from southern California. I have a good friend who lives not too far away, and she and her husband came down and hung out and showed me pictures of their brand new baby girl. When we are on the road I live in a bubble and I never know what day it is or anything about anything, so it’s nice to see an old friend to bring you back to the ground.
What’s on the horizon for the band? Anything in particular you’re looking forward to?
We just started this tour, so I’m looking forward to playing in cities we’ve never been to and shows hopefully selling out in places where we’ve played to two people in the past. We’re doing some festivals this summer and opening for some big dudes like fun. and Tegan and Sara and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. After that, I hope I can find a beach and get a tan.
