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Surviving the Dream with FIDLAR

by Grady Olson

Photo by Jordan Cramer

In the heart of East Los Angeles, tucked away in the Balboa Recording Studio and art space, FIDLAR – Zac Carper, Max Kuehn, and Brandon Schwartzel – crafted Surviving the Dream, their first album in over five years. Recorded in 12 days, with just the help of a few buddies. That’s how Zac Carper, Max Kuehn, and Brandon Schwartzel wanted to do it. But also kind of how they had to do it, with no label, no fancy producer, a testament to FIDLAR's DIY ethos. But who gives a shit where you record, the boys are back and they’re the same as they ever were but a lot different. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

The Dream Evolves

Surviving the Dream is a phrase they coined based on Aussie band and good friends Dune Rats' motto, "Living the Dream." But for FIDLAR, the dream has shifted and evolved into a new meaning; it now teases on that darkness that is a constant underlying positivity, reflecting the realities of getting older and navigating life's ups and downs. As lead singer Zac Carper explains, "They used to be crashing on couches and people would ask how they were and they'd just say, 'living the dream.' So whenever I’d be out during covid and someone would ask me how I was doing, I’d say, 'surviving the dream.'"

Photo by Jordan Cramer

Creative Process in the Midst of Chaos

For Carper, the new album's creation was intertwined with his journey of self-discovery as it’s the first album since the frontman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Having a somewhat better understanding of his creative process now, which comes in waves while in a manic state, "It took longer. I was scared to drop in." he admits, describing the waves of manic creativity that fuel his songwriting. "Once I do, there's no stopping that wave. It’s like meth. I’m up for three days. I’ve tried meds and they make me okay but it kind of fucks with everything else. So I’ve just got to find that right cocktail.” 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

It's in the aftermath of these manic episodes that the editing and refining process takes place that shapes FIDLAR's distinctive sound. “I do drafts. I’m a big fan of drafts. It starts out with a ukulele and then there will be like 7 demos to it. So once I create, I just create and create and then crash. Then I’ll listen back, like okay; what sounds good? There's a lot of editing.”

 

"Once I do, there's no stopping that wave. It’s like meth. I’m up for three days."

 

DIY or Die

With no label backing, FIDLAR welcomed back their familiar DIY approach to recording. "No one would give us a bunch of money," Max Kuehn quips. "No one would do it for us, we’re off a label, so why not just self produce it," adds Brandon Schwartzel. This self-reliance allowed the band to maintain creative control and capture the raw energy that defines their live performances. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

The same goes for the album cover. Wanting to create that paint pen, exacto knife, ‘broke kid let’s just make something aesthetic,’ they just did what they wanted with the font and the smiley face. “We took that and manipulated it to use as a single art piece but then also throughout the lyrical videos. We scanned it and fucked it up, paint penned it, scanned it again.” Brandon

Photo by Jordan Cramer

Aging Gracefully in the Mosh Pit

While the band members may be getting older, their fan base seems to stay young, which is good for the guys  "After the pandemic, we realized everyone is like 15. What the fuck happened?" Carper laughs. “We were all expecting everyone to have kids and pull their Fidlar shirt out of the garage, like an old dude with a beard and a beer. But then there was this youthful sort of energy that really pumped us up.”

Photo by Jordan Cramer

For FIDLAR, energy is the driving force behind their music. "One of the main rules is just energy, energy, energy. How do we bring the most energy to it?" Carper emphasizes. This focus on capturing the live essence of their music allowed them to record the album quickly and efficiently, prioritizing feeling and vibe over technical perfection.

This youthful energy has injected new life into the band, like a punk fine wine, they’re aging gracefully in the mosh pit, inspiring them to continue pushing boundaries and creating music that resonates with the young and restless. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

The Dream Continues

FIDLAR's longevity can be attributed to their unwavering commitment to craft and DIY spirit. As Schwartzel puts it, "Let’s get it out, go play, and then keep going. Keep playing, keep writing, and then record stuff when it comes." Surviving the Dream is a testament to this enduring passion. FIDLAR is here to stay, ready to ride the waves of music, life, or whatever else for years to come. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

Photo by Jordan Cramer

 

FIDLAR - 2024 NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING TOUR DATES

September 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

September 24 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

September 25 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom

September 27 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

September 28 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre           

September 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Grand At The Complex

October 1 – Denver, CO @ Summit

October 2 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre

October 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

October 5 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre

October 7 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre

October 8 – Buffalo, NY @ Electric City

October 9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

October 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

October 12 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues

October 14 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

October 15 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

October 16 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

October 18 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle

October 19 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

October 21 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater

October 22 – Austin, TX @The Mohawk

October 25 – Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress Plaza

October 27 - Del Mar, CA @ The Sound At Del Mar                       

October 31 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether

February 17-25, 2025 - Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise

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Meet Lucas Beaufort: creator of HEART, a book and tour to honor 40 years of skateboarding

“You have to be doing 1,000 things. Always yes, that’s a good vision in life. Just say yes and then you can form and sculpt a project however you want. How can you live a life by saying no?”

In the vibrant world of skateboarding, where art meets asphalt, there's a man who hails from France named Lucas Beaufort, a jack-of-all-trades artist, who defies boundaries by pushing the limits of creativity both on and off the board.

“I started skateboarding when I was six and my mom put me on a board. I loved every bit of it. But she was tired of it after a while since I kept ripping my clothes from falling, and she had enough. So she put me in team sports.”

Then at 13, that spark reignited, and he found himself immersed in a world of endless possibilities. As Beaufort navigated life, he discovered that skateboarding was more than just a sport; it was a way of life, a source of inspiration, and a muse for his artistic pursuits. 

 

 

“It taught me everything I know really, how to speak English, how to travel the world, make friends, and see the world. There’s nothing like skateboarding for the culture. From the street fashion brands to the luxury brands, to the cinema industry, you can see so many things that are drawn from skateboarding. For 100 bucks you can get a board, you don't need a car, you can just go from your house and go anywhere.”  

"For 100 bucks you can get a board, you don't need a car, you can just go from your house and go anywhere."

Throughout his travels, Beaufort realized that skateboarding had a universal appeal, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. It was a common thread that connected people from all walks of life, creating a sense of community and belonging.

 

Driven by a desire to capture the essence of the culture and being cooped up during quarantine, Beaufort embarked on an ambitious project: HEART, a book celebrating the iconic skate shops that have stood the test of time. Each shop featured in the book has a rich history, spanning decades of dedication to the sport, bringing together old and new generations of skaters and paying respect to the pioneers who paved the way. 

 

 

After the book launched, Beaufort embarked on tours visiting each shop featured. Going from Japan to Europe and now finally making his way to the USA. For a 10-stop tour celebration of the skate community, bringing together local skaters, over 250 total artists, musicians, and anyone else with an interested eye. With Pabst Blue Ribbon sponsoring each stop, what the nights have in store is unknown, but Beaufort can’t wait to see. 

 

 

“I want the whole city to come out, to have music, live artists. Just one night each, ten stops, I don’t want to plan too too much. We’re going to be at the shop from 6 to 9 pm and anything and everything can happen after that. I want to freestyle a bit. Let’s go eat together. The shop is just the starter of the night. I want the local skate scene to come out and to have a good time, but then also see what they are into, where they go, and to take me with them.” 

 

 

Beaufort's unwavering pursuit of his artistic passions, combined with his infectious energy and ability to connect with people, has allowed him to create a body of work that celebrates the essence of skateboarding and beyond. His journey is a testament to the power of following one's dreams, embracing change, and leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Catch Lucas at one of his stops over the next month where cold beers will be flowing from the loving support of PBR: 

  1. TENANT (Brooklyn) : April 12th 
  2. Humidity  (New Orleans) : April 23rd
  3. No Comply (Austin) : April 26th 
  4. Cowtown (Phoenix) : April 28th 
  5. 303 (Denver) : May 1st 
  6. Escapist (Kansas City) : May 4th
  7. Familia (Minneapolis) : May 7th 
  8. Antisocial (Vancouver): May 10th
  9. Atlas (San Mateo) : May 15th
  10. Pawnshop (Covina) : May 17th

Be sure to follow Lucas Beaufort on Instagram to stay in the know of each stop.

 

 

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City Secrets: Beyond the Blinds

There are a lot of people living on top of one another here in NYC, breeding a sort of closeness that doesn’t exist in the suburbs. As I open my eyes, I judge the outdoor noises against my own. The sounds around me echo a common rhythm.

The iPhone alarm next door can be heard through the paper-thin walls, going off at the same time as mine—snoozed once, twice, then finally stopped. Upstairs, someone rushes out late for work, their door slamming shut and footsteps shuffling down the stairs. The smell of toast wafts from the neighboring apartment, a sign of a quick breakfast, just like mine.

In the solitude of our respective bedrooms, the illusion of being alone dissipates, replaced by the realization that our lives echo one another.

Getting dressed, I'm reminded that the gap between my window sill and blinds is a place where bystanders can peer in and evaluate their lives against my own. The voyeuristic nature of city life becomes apparent; I know because I do it too—glimpsing into others' homes when walking the streets, observing the work on their computer screens, the food they order, and the patterns on their pajamas. You’d be surprised how few people turn their lights off, inviting the world into their most intimate moments. We’ve normalized it—the visual intrusion, comparing, contrasting, bending, and breaking in with our eyes to see how others make these concrete cages feel like homes.

Through these visual cues, we inadvertently invite the world into our homes, breaking down the barriers that separate us. In the diverse array of personal touches that adorn our living spaces, a common thread emerges—shared humanity that unites us despite our apparent differences: mismatched throw pillows, small potted plants, and succulents, flat screens in the center of framed movie posters, art prints pinned up, record players and vinyl, worn-out leather armchairs, soft throw blankets, whiteboards with to-do lists, shelves of board games and puzzles, incense, cork boards on exposed brick covered in old Polaroids.

It's a reminder that, in the small details, we find a common ground that brings us closer, no matter how vast the city may seem.

The very things that make our homes uniquely ours are the same elements that connect us. Whether it's book stacks, the glow of neon signs, or candles scattered about, these common elements create a sense of connection. Our homes, a reflection of our shared experiences, show that, despite the city's size, our lives mostly look the same. It's a reminder that, in the small details, we find a common ground that brings us closer, no matter how vast the city may seem.

When I get home to end the day and close my blinds, I’m met with a stare on the other side of the street—another girl, in another bedroom, shutting hers too. We’re both three stories high, calling it a day, sharing the very same bedtime. We both think we’re safe from the outside world, but we’re wrong. Her television screen plays the same show I just binged, and her bedside table features takeout from the spot I get every night of the week. Maybe we’d be friends even.

Some nights, I peek out and catch her taking a cigarette break on the fire escape, sitting alone in the middle of her bed with her laptop’s glow as her only source of light, talking on the phone, pacing her floors, sitting at her desk toggling between getting work done on her laptop and scrolling on her phone, reluctantly doing an at-home exercise, reading a book for a few moments then putting it down, staring out the window, holding a mug probably filled with coffee. In the solitude of our respective bedrooms, the illusion of being alone dissipates, replaced by the realization that our lives echo one another.

It’s in the shared life of the stranger directly in front of me, in what feels like right behind my desk in my bedroom where I’ve come to realize that even when I’m alone, there's a feeling that I’m not. The illusion of solitude is broken when that gaze from my neighbor across the street meets mine. No one is immune. If we pay attention, we can see our routines mirror each other.

Though physically apart, these shared moments suggest that in a city of millions, we're more alike than we realize.