Music is a universal language that connects people. It moves across cultural and sociological boundaries in ways that can’t be explained, but is understood.
Andy Suzuki & The Method come from different places. Suzuki is half-Japanese, half-Jewish. The Method (aka Kozza Olatunji-Babumba) is half-Nigerian, half-Ugandan. The two met at Brown University, and found a common ground in music.
Also: Exclusive Premiere | The Ceremonies Go From Buzz Band To Breakout
Having released a buzzed about folk-pop album, Born out of Mischief, in 2013, the dapper duo have cross-pollinated their organic melodies with a new sinuous sound (future pop?) that still retains their heart on their tattooed sleeve songwriting skills.
Crave is exclusively premiering Andy Suzuki & The Method’s new full-length album, The Glass Hour, which comes out on February 3rd (stream it BELOW). I had a chance to chat with Suzuki and The Method over email about the new album, drawing from their diverse backgrounds, and making music with your buddy.
Crave: Your music is hard to pin down in a good way. How would you describe it in a couple words?
Andy Suzuki & The Method: Future-pop with an R&B edge. But I agree. Our music is hard to pin-down. With The Glass Hour we just wanted to make good music. We didn’t think about genre. Whoops.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being buddies and bandmates?
If me and Kozza weren’t friends, there is no way we would still be doing this. We met in 2006 and started making mediocre music shortly thereafter. Slowly it started getting better. We have always said we would stop making music when it is no longer fun. We make an effort to keep it fun.
So what happens if there’s a fight or disagreement and how did you solve it?
We don’t have many disagreements, honestly. Me and Kozza always joke that we have the same brain. We think in a very similar way, and have very similar tastes when it comes to things. Working with someone so closely for so long also opens you up to realizing that you aren’t always right 100% of the time, which is how I think most humans operate. The last time we did fight though? Open communication is the only way. A working relationship is just like a relationship-relationship.
Both of you come from diverse backgrounds. How has that influenced you as artists?
The Glass Hour is a very diverse album. It has some R&B tracks, some pop rock, even a country tune and some gospel moments. Does that come from our diverse backgrounds? Maybe? I don’t know. Next question 😛
What song gave you the hardest time on The Glass Hour?
Writing the lyrics of ‘Mama Told Me’ was super challenging. Positive song lyrics all usually sound cheesy to us, so we spent tons of time making that feel okay. Getting the arrangement of “I Need You More” took forever. That song went through a bunch of different production versions. And it was damn near impossible to get the mix of “Searching” feeling good. Making albums is a labor of love!
What’s the one memory you will take away from recording The Glass Hour.
I’ll always remember the first time we heard the gospel choir singing in the studio on “Fire”, towards the end of the song. I was jazzed. Moments like that are why we still out here.
For more sights, sounds and info on Andy Suzuki & The Method go HERE and pre-order The Glass Hour HERE.
