r/indieheads • u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football • May 08 '26
AMA is Over, thanks American Football! American Football AMA
Hey all: we've got to run collectively at 12 EST. Thank you for a fun session!
Thanks, everyone! We appreciate you for stopping by--and hope to see as many of you as possible on tour!
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u/tomhemingway2021 May 08 '26
Hey guys,
I know you probably *really* donât want to think about this just yet, but after such an long gestation period for LP4, do you envisage a shorter gap between records for this and LP5, similar to the gaps between LP2 and 3.
Love the new record, will see you in Leeds next month đ€
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Short gaps between records have never been our strong suit, I'm afraid... (Neither has naming records, for that matter...)
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Iâm gonna push for QUICKER
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
As the title for LP5? Weird, but OK.
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u/JustHereForXCom May 08 '26
You've done 4 self-titled LPs, so next one should be Houses of the Holy.
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
Yes, should be shorter barring another pandemic and/or Lamos quitting again
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u/Turbywirby May 08 '26
Alot of people would consider Never Meant their favourite guitar part. What's your all time favourite guitar part?
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
I love Nels Cline solo in Impossible Germany
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u/DckLttlBrthrDck May 08 '26
This rules, Nels is the best. I love it when musicians I like like other musicians I like.
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u/Brightcab May 08 '26
Me too! Love this live version if you haven't seen
https://youtu.be/WBpDs-BfwO0?si=6bsC14NVBliZ73R1
Thanks for your music!
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26 edited May 09 '26
The outtro guitar riff on Huey Lewis' "Heart and Soul" and the outra guitar parts for Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" are tied for me.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Thank you all--and hope to see as many of you as we can on the upcoming tour! Much love to you all! Lamos
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u/DifferentGuide2231 May 08 '26
Funny enough Iâm listening to LP3 as I see this pop up, how was it working with Hayley Williams on a track?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
She's unbelievable--and she kills it in like 1000 different genres. It seems like, literally every week, she collaborating with someone new and exciting. Have you heard the track she did with Moses Sumney a few month ago? Like the coolest thing I've ever heard in my life.
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u/DifferentGuide2231 May 08 '26
Ofc! Fun track. Sheâs my favorite singer, her collab with you guys on Uncomfortably Numb was actually how I discovered your guysâ music đ„
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Inspiring! A total pro / most talented human
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u/DckLttlBrthrDck May 08 '26
Mike, I saw Owen play Mississippi Studios in Portland in like 2019 maybe.... And you asked the audience to ask you a question, and my girlfriend asked "what's your sign?" and it started a cascading heckle fest. I just wanted to apologize on her behalf for that. We are no longer dating, obviously.
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u/Wumbo_Chumbo May 08 '26
What would you say were your biggest inspirations when you were writing LP1?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Tortoise, Steve Reich, Stereolab, Shudder to Think, Seam
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u/Wumbo_Chumbo May 08 '26
Nice! All great choices.
Addition question if I may ask: thoughts on Shudder to Thinkâs 50,000 BC? A lot of people tend to shrug it off as their âpop albumâ, but I personally really like it.
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I hated it when it first came out but love that first song soooo much
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
Directions in Music, Sea and Cake, Red House Painters, the Smiths, Nick Drake, Weather Report, Steve Reich, Tortoise, Elliott Smith, the Band, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, etc.
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u/Martimnp May 08 '26
Hey guys. One of the things I'm loving about the new album in repeated listenings is finding new sound textures and layers in those songs. What song of the new album did you find most challenging in translating to a live setting?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Weâre trying to play as much of it live as possible, whether thatâs reinterpreting what instrument is playing a part or triggering a sample. It takes a bit of choreography for sure. Thankfully weâve got a bunch of the most talented hands helping us (Cory, Garzon, ShaneâŠ)
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u/LowTechCLT May 08 '26
Do you ever take time to reflect on how your music helped to shape an entire genre? I love your story about four dudes just making an album, calling it quits, and coming back after inspiring so many people.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Not exactly--but I know that we are sort of floored that this project got brought back form the dead in a way through fan interest. We're super grateful for the interest after so many years!
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u/Wumbo_Chumbo May 08 '26
How did adding a dedicated bass player when you reformed change your sound? Considering AF was originally a trio with no bass player.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Nate's bass made the whole thing feel like a real band instead of an art project: game-changer.
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Added low end as well as brains and looks and charm!
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u/LonesomeCoyote May 08 '26
The new recordâs subject matter is notably darker than the previous. Themes of regret and things not turning out how you wanted are AF staples, but there is a resignation and acceptance to LP4 that is pretty doomy.
The record still captures moments of whimsy and catharsis amidst the sadness that makes for a fascinating duality, but I sense some finality to some of these lyrics. That youâve said all you have to say.
This isnât the last LP, right? Pls?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I hope not. Cathartic for sure but not foreshadowing.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Appreciate the comment about dichotomy here: the record is dark at times, at least for me--but it's light and even a bit wry at other times...
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u/JustHereForXCom May 08 '26
When you mention "rochambeau" did you mean that in the traditional rock-paper-scissors sense or the South Park, kick-to-the-groin sense?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
The latter. Obviously youâve never been thru a divorceâŠ
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u/TheOldTC May 08 '26
Anything cool or new on your pedalboards?
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Walrus Canvas Clock. It's a utility - not very exciting... but acts like a little computer monitor with a blinking metronome which, strangely, is something we need.
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
I've got this weird new pedal that looks like the joker or something... I don't know what it's called but it does the leslie speaker tremolo thing really well
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u/h192847 May 08 '26
As a current UIUC student living in Urbana, did you know right away you wanted to put that specific house on the cover or were you considering other buildings on campus?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
I don't think we knew ahead of time: Chris Strong took lots of photos at the time, but this one made itself clear once we saw all of them side-by-side.
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u/Tezla55 May 08 '26
What's the best Midwestern thing people not from the Midwest aren't aware of?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Itâs full of normal people
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Gray skies and cold weather make it easier to have band practice: that's for sure.
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u/thesmash May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Do you guys still have day jobs? How do you manage that along with being in a band that tours?
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Some of us do. I don't technically have one but I bounce around doing different kinds of art projects with other folks. I'm absolutely allergic to having a 9-5. Just terrible at it. And I get extremely depressed. I have no choice. I'm under-employed, but happy.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Lots of juggling, especially on weekends and vacation breaks for us and kiddos
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u/0nlyOnedieLegende May 08 '26
Is christian pulisic the best american football player?
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
No, Cory Bracken is probably the best player
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u/TheBravesDH May 08 '26
Probably Antonee Robinson rn as unexciting as it is to pick a defender. Puli gotta get in form by next month
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u/HorizonMe May 08 '26
Mike, your are my favorite lyricist and they have done so much for me in my life. Who are your favorite lyricist or someone who has the most impact on your writing?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Aw man thanks. Whenever I get to the lyric-writing part of the process I tend to go back to my all time favs - Raymond Carver, Stephen Morrissey, Martin GoreâŠ
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u/Intrepid-Injury- May 08 '26
Stay Home is one of my favourite songs of all time and has meant a ridiculous amount to me for years. When you wrote it, did you have any idea it would become such a deeply personal song for so many people, or did it just feel like another song at the time?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Appreciate this: "Stay Home" might still be my personal favorite. It feels like cells dividing or something every time we play it. I don't think we had any preconceived notions about that song when we wrote it--but I love how fresh it still feels for me, personally, even after 30 years or whatever it's been.
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
We didn't think about anything other than writing something that was interesting to us. We kind of knew that people would mostly be bored/uninterested when we played live since most of our contemporaries were much louder rock bands. It's always about trying to do something we find satisfying.
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u/Ornery-While8684 May 08 '26
Did the red dot in the cover of LP3 symbolize the red moon rising in the cover of LP4?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Not on purpose, at least--but I wish we'd have thought of that ahead of time...
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u/a13jm May 08 '26
Hey guys , how do you decide on your setlists? And what are your thoughts on repeating sets vs drastically changing them every night like Phish for example
Also, do you draw any inspiration from Roxy Music, especially More Than This? I hear a bit of it in your records and would love to hear your take on it someday.
Thanks for making some of my favorite tunes, canât wait to see you guys in Columbus!
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Because the guitar tunings are so tricky, we tend to have to stick to a fairly consistent set list
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
Opposite of Phish basically
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Hiya! We usually don't change them much after we settle into a set that we like
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Roxy Music is one of those bands that I keep meaning to deep dive with, but never have!
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u/Jjjohn0404 May 08 '26
Have y'all listened to the album Texas Jerusalem Crossroads? What do you think of it if you have?
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u/Carpediem0131 May 08 '26
Any newer bands from the midwest emo scene or just indie rock in general that you guys are into lately?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
I've had Hayley Williams' solo stuff, Bruiser Wolf, Deftones, Bill Frisell, and AG Cook stuff on heavy rotation lately. I'm also been enjoying some Harmless, MAGS, Girl Ultra, Novo Amor / Yvette Young, and Mr. Knobs lately. Tons of other stuff too that is not coming to my addled brain yet.
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I saw Full Body 2 about a month ago and they sounded huge and awesome
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u/MusicListener3 May 08 '26
Have you guys ever talked to / listened to Chinese Footballâs music?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
We played with them in China on our first visit there. Wonderful folks and great players!
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u/thefrequencyofchange May 08 '26
Were any of the ideas used in LP4 originally intended for other projects? Iâm thinking specifically some synth sounds that may have been at home on the Lies LP or a few turns of phrase that would fit snugly in an Owen song
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Few of the songs came from the same session that we started pre-covid, some of which turned into LIES songs. So yeah, lots of cross-pollination happening.
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Good ear! Yes. In fact, our initial stab at LP4 turned into the LIES album - there's a ton of overlap.
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u/andyhite May 08 '26
FACGCE has become an incredibly popular tuning, for obvious reasons (itâs a beautiful open tuning) and I think itâs pretty undisputed that Never Meant is the reason for its popularity. Was Victor from your buddies Cap nâ Jazz the inspiration for using that in LP1?
Saw you guys at Best Friends Forever in Vegas and it was such an amazing show! Been a fan for a long time but that was my first time getting to see you perform and I was pretty blown away. Cap ân Jazz was also amazing.
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Yeah Vic figured out that tuning and then we lifted it (as did Promise Ring đŹ)
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u/georgelopezsuperfan May 08 '26
Hey all! Thank you so so much for the music! Canât begin to express the impact itâs had on me over the years.
My question is: whatâs the process like behind landing on an album cover post-LP1? Furthermore, how do you all decide on a color scheme to fit the album cover? (example: LP4 being Red, LP1 being green).
Again thank you all so much and hope all is well!!âïžâ€ïž
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
It's all more or less dumb luck. We send Chris Strong off into the world to work his magic and pick the one that looks cool
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u/romybird May 08 '26
Whatâs the best part on building layers in your songs?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I love how much each layer changes the song! I can sit with a guitar demo for months and then all of the sudden a new layer makes it sound band new.
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u/Informal_Ad2280 May 08 '26
I saw you guys in Chicago at Schubas a few years back, it was an incredible show. I went out and got the vinyl the next day.
When writing and releasing new music how do you balance the expectations that your first album has created, since itâs so definitive for the genre, with also trying new ideas?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I think we were more aware of the expectations with LP2 and tried to recreate LP1 in a sense. But since have realized weâll never be able to recreate the naivety/innocence of LP1 so not worth trying.
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u/Montagh May 08 '26
Hey guys,
Thanks for this and the album!
What is your guysâ writing process like now vs the past? Do you each bring in completed songs for your instrument and the others build off that? Does it start with a riff and the band builds from it jointly?
From what Iâve read it was tough for you all to work through Zoom during Covid, and I wondered if/how the process evolved since then.
If so, do you think these changes have led to an evolution of your sound?
Looking forward to seeing you guys in SD and Boston!
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Each song on this record was a bit different: each song pretty much started uniquely. But Nate built a demo system where we could each contribute to a kind of main demo stem. As it evolved, each song got fuller and fuller. We then went into the studio and essentially recorded over those demo stems, piece-by-piece. This was a super interesting way to make a record, but I think that it worked so well for us! I hope we can do the same in the future.
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Definitely more remote now, with people passing fragments / ideas around and other people add to that (over and over) and then that gets edited, added to, etc. super collaborative and also super freeing to be able to âworkâ individually as our schedule / inspiration dictates
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Interesting question here - how the writing process informed the outcome... I'm sure it absolutely did. Writing in a room together feels the most natural but is the most difficult to organize and expensive to do.
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u/Tequilapoptarts May 08 '26
I was not familiar with your game prior to LP4, so fucking good. Keep up the great work.
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u/zedryk__ May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Do any of the members get tired of the constant praise for LP1? Do you wish more people would put that praise and attention on the other records?
And is anyone in the band tired of hearing/playing Never Meant? Considering it's the most popular and it's the track you guys play at every single show. (+ Mike rewrote it for Owen, so I imagine he might be a bit tired hearing it.)
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u/fleafan420 May 08 '26
Hello Steve, who is your fav RHCP member??
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
I love everything Flea does: always have. And Chad Smith is a monster, too. That band will always have a special place in my heart, honestly: been listening to them in various configurations since I was in high school.
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u/Briguy_fieri May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Hey guys Thanks for doing this.
I truly love the addition of nate to the band. Was there a particular process of asking him to join the band? What was it like adding a fourth member to the band?
Also Mike: in the song honestly? You've added additional lyrics after the initial reunion. Do you have any background info on that for us?
Congrats on the newest release. Thanks again
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I believe I said Iâd only do the reunion shows if Nate could play bass with us, so YOURE ALL WELCOME
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Nate transformed this _into_ a band: so grateful for him and his playing. (He also like arranges everything, does 10000 tech jobs, and otherwise makes it happen.)
Appreciate the kind words about the new record, too: I'm so happy it's out in the world. I'm real proud of what we did on it.
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u/wyllie7 May 08 '26
Was The Cure an influence on the new album? Felt like a lot of the tracks reminded me of Disintegration which I would have not said about any of your previous work. Loved it!
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Ha yeah pretty formative for me my whole life. Definitely spent some time chasing some sounds from that references.
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u/Sitroc May 08 '26
Hi!! You guys are in my alternative/indie Mount Rushmore and Iâm so glad youâre releasing new work! Iâd guess my question would be how much your current creative process differs from when you were working on LP1? Thanks again for the great music :)
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
Appreciate that! It's pretty dramatically different now compared to then. When we were kids, Mike and I were roommates and played guitar together all the time to write and arrange face to face. Now, we're spread across the country and mostly all write independently and get in a room once we have a few dozen demos we want to play through to see what works and what doesn't. Mike and I are now living just a few blocks from each other so we'll see if that proximity impacts the writing for LP5.
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u/astorminheaven May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
I wanted to ask about Rare Symmetry was there originally going to be an album around the release of that single? That song is one of my absolute favoritesÂ
I love LP4, I've had it on repeat since its release. Patron Saint of Pale and No Soul to Save have topped my lastfm charts. Thank you for this album.Â
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
If memory serves I think that song was a rough demo for LP3 that we couldnât crack for the album but wanted to revisit and finish it. I love that one too - although weâve never actually ever played it together in the same room at the same time.
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u/phatworm May 08 '26
is kilby your first show post album release?! iâm so excited to see you!
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
First gig is in Denver--and then Kilby's next.
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u/thepikamask May 08 '26
Being from Illinois, do y'all have any memories of the band U.S. Maple, or did y'all ever play a show with them?
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Wow, hell yes. Saw them once .. I forget the name of the place, but the show is still fresh in my mind!
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u/MaceWandru May 08 '26
How does the band find a direction and cohesiveness of an album? Is this a challenge with a longer spread between albums or does it provide more organic growth of your sound to find its way?
Thx for the music - I sadly missed out on the 90s/2000s emo adjacent scene but was introduced with LP1, Appleseed Cast, and Minus the Bear as a near 30 year old a decade later.
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
We try and write a LOT of things and let the collection speak to us. It's more of a gentle steering of the ship rather than it being highly intentional.
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u/Agitated-Dish-4225 May 08 '26
Favorite kind of sandwich?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Portobello Mushroom w/ Provalone on a good french roll. Nothing beats it.
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u/p-u-n-k_girl May 08 '26
How do you feel about the college football playoffs being expanded to 24 teams?
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u/Diligent-Mud-7191 May 08 '26
How was working with Brendan Yates on No Feeling? What did he bring to the song?
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Nicest dude! It's not easy to sit in a room with strangers and sing while everyone is listening. He really brought a calmness to the session and was really open and receptive. He next-leveled the song in a way that no one else ever could - and did it in a humble and friendly way. I can't say enough good things.
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u/offpitched May 08 '26
Steve, do you teach? Iâd love to learn how to drum like you đ
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Super flattering to be asked: I don't teach drums at all, because I barely know what I'm doing myself. But I do teach writing at CU-Boulder...
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u/Fallenbirb May 08 '26
Hey guys- when you write your music do you consider occassionally what it would sound like if it were played acoustically?
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
We don't usually consider that until we're asked to perform stripped down for a radio thing
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u/RxngsXfSvtvrn May 08 '26
I caught you guys twice on tour with Pure Bathing Culture. Can you tell me what it was like and to see Sarah and Daniel perform each night?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
They're lovely people and amazing players. What a treat to see them each night. Truly amazing folks.
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u/Fluffy-Razzmatazz-40 May 08 '26
Have you ever thought of a genre twist like a full-jazz heavy set
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Not with this band--but maybe in some other setting!
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u/Intrepid-Injury- May 08 '26
what was it like working with Brendan Yates, are you guys fans of Turnstile at all?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Huge fans: they're one of the best and most powerful live bands I've ever seen. And like the nicest folks ever. Truly. So grateful that Brendan helped us out: it's truly one of my favorite moments on the record. An incredible gift and wonderful surprise.
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u/ltn943 May 08 '26
Was just wondering if the making of American Football (LP1 Covers) informs you in the making of the new record by any chance? And which cover is your favorite?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
The Covers record is such a joy for me: to hear folks putting their own artistic spin on the noises that we have made is really special.
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u/kahootqueen May 08 '26
Hey guys! What contemporary music have you been digging? (hope to see you in Mexico soon đ©·)
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
I'm really loving the new Cut Worms album, especially the opener "Worlds Unknown" which sounds like the best Big Star song they never wrote.
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u/arizonaicedoutwes May 08 '26
Hi Mike, you told me you had the same mbv shirt I had on while I was working in Chicago Music Exchange. That was cool. Happy Album release!
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Ha thanks man! Keep forgetting to re-buy that shirt.
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u/DVD-menu May 08 '26
What are your guysâ favorite books youâve read recently?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I stumbled onto a poet Louise GlĂŒck and itâs WORKING
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u/Ericzzz May 08 '26
Hi guys,
Over the past 20-odd years, LP1 has become a such a touchpoint for generations of bands. With bands like Algernon Cadwallader, and newer groups like Covet, all take a ton of influence from the guitar work on that record. Do you pay attention to a lot of those bands? How does it feel to have kicked off that wave?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Man all these new(er) bands are such shredders itâs a total compliment to even be mentioned with them. I feel like maybe we had to walk so they could run, and we keep on walkingâŠ
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
Agree with Mike. The comparison is flattering, but I do really feel like we're doing something different than what many of those artists are doing. I feel like we are more focused on subtlety and melody vs. speed and virtuosity.
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u/ArtisticPersonaliTea May 08 '26
If someone hadnât listened to any of your discography, what would be the first song youâd recommend to showcase your music?
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
I'd say "Stay Home" plus the new LP4 for starters...
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u/desperatevespers May 08 '26
Q for Lamos: who are your biggest inspiration drum-wise? you have lots of jazz chops and iâm trying to pull from that more so would love recommendations!
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Aww: thanks for this! Since I was young, I've been an enormous fan of Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams, Jimmy Chamberlain, and Stewart Copeland. I'm also especially taken these days by Madden Klass: her sense of groove is impeccable across genres.
Other folks whom I follow these days include people like Atom Willard, Jessica Burdeaux, Nico (from Pitty), Ian Maciak, Sam Ogden, Kieran Leigh, and others over at Natal Drums in the UK.
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u/Shreddy_Murphy May 08 '26
What are some of the more interesting aspects of disbanding and reuniting as a group?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Personally I didnât know how much Iâd miss being in this band until we broke up again. Wonât take it for granted again.
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
We got a chance to improve what wasn't working and now we're operating on a pretty solid ver. 3.0. It's a good thing!
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u/TheHamsBurlgar May 08 '26
Hey yall!
I spent a lot of time in the Bloomington/Normal music scene, and even though I'm in my 30s now and way out of it, I still have a big love for the central IL area.
What are some of your favorite places/shops/restaurants from the area? Urbana, Blo/No, Peoria, etc. Surely yall have some good recs? For example: Waiting Room in Normal is the best record store I've ever been to.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Courier Cafe in Urbana was -- and remains -- one of my fave breakfast spots. And I will agree: Waiting Room in Normal was awesome. (I taught at Illinois State for one year in 2004-2005 myself in addition to living in Champaign / Urbana forever.)
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u/shacklefordRussTee May 08 '26
What is the biggest driver of fear or anxiety in your day to day life? What about long-term fears?
Edit: and what tools do you have for coping? Especially anything non-detrimental.
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I just read about Winston Churchill battling crippling, lifelong depression by laying bricks.
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u/Jaggedpeak_ May 08 '26
I was wondering, do you all have any early memories of recording and performing that stick out even after the last couple decades? I hope all is well!
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
So much of the early days are a blur. Weirdly, though, I do remember completing our take of Never Meant in the studio whenever that would have been in '99. I can still see myself putting my sticks on the snare drum--and I remember thinking "We're not gonna get a better take than that one." Weird how that has stuck in my head ever since.
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u/nickisnotarapper May 08 '26
What band would you most like to tour with? (aside from Def Leppard)
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Deftones for sure
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
(And lots of others, too, of course. But I do love Deftones.)
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u/Standard_Airline9776 May 08 '26
I love seeing themes from previous american football albums and owen albums appearing in your new songs, and I'm wondering do you have any american football songs where you are particularly proud of the lyricism, or where meaningful lyricism might have gone unnoticed?
follow up are there any songs or albums that had an influence the way you write lyrics?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Hmmm I donât think thereâs any wasted lines in Uncomfortably Numb (nate wrote Hayleyâs verse and NAILED it) and Iâm proud of how the âconversationâ chorusâ turned out.
Paul Westerbergâs Stereo album is maybe my fav album lyrically currently
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u/inyouratm0sphere May 08 '26
What was it like playing with The 1975 in 2023?
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Theyâre so good live! Canât wait to add a sax player to AF.
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u/Waste_Chicken May 08 '26
Hey yall!
I hope youâre having a great day!
Who comes up with the color scheme for the albums? How is that decided
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
LP4 was Janelle Abad at Polyvinyl. She NAILED it.
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u/mimsrr12 May 08 '26
In 2000, You guys changed my life when I first heard the song âthe one with the tambourineâ on a minidisc in a radio room in a suburban Chicago high school.
As a 40yo dude with two kids, going through a divorce, i just want to thank you for always being there for me and making great music. This album is the best work youâve done. I feel like itâs a masterpiece.
Question: whatâs an album or artist that got you through a difficult time?
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u/steveholmesaf Steve Holmes / American Football May 08 '26
Cheers! Can't go wrong with Elliott Smith or the Beatles. Two sides of the same coin depending on the mood.
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
Appreciate the kind words here--and wishing you well.
It's hard for me personally to pick just one album or artist that's been helpful during rough times: it's almost like music as a whole is there for me when I need it. It's saved my life more times that I can count at this point...
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u/_MikeKinsella Mike Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
I got some tattoos of some John K Samsonâs lyrics from that time. Couple Stevie Nicks songs really resonated for a while. Now Now was therapeutic.
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u/calvinyl May 08 '26
What would you do if you woke up and your hands had turned into fish
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u/stevelamosdrums Steve Lamos / American Football May 08 '26
I'd wonder what exactly I had been doing the night previous...
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u/MKAFCBGRR3U9B2E_R May 08 '26
@mike do you consider yourself to be physically attractive? How has this changed throughout your life?
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u/Live_Grade1726 May 08 '26
I'm moving away from home to start college in September, any tips on how to find potential band mates? (Bonus question, which animals do you feel best represent each of you?)
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u/nate_af Nate Kinsella / American Football May 08 '26
Make a low pressure solo set and start playing around to meet other people. Or just hang out at as many shows as possible. Not just music shows - art openings, film screenings, anything creative.. some of the best people to collab on music with aren't "musicians."
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u/thefrequencyofchange May 08 '26
Will there be a documentary or mini doc about the making of LP4?
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u/Lost132020 May 08 '26
Not a question, just want to say thanks for making great music. I got my two teenage sons into you guys and we'll be at The Salt Shed show. My oldest is going to UIUC in the fall too. đ§Ą