BAD BUSINESS CLUB SETS THE SUMMER ABLAZE WITH NEW ALBUM NAKED NEIGHBOR : Exclusive Interview

Today, nu-disco collective Bad Business Club releases their second full-length album Naked Neighbor. The album follows the release of “Tired of Being Over You” and “Flip Me Over”. NYS Music praised the album, saying that “the woozy, synth-fueled atmosphere of the project fits perfectly as the soundtrack to the hottest days of the summer.”, while Adam’s World noted that “the heat of the summer is a perfect setting for Naked Neighbor”.

 

Naked Neighbor functions as a shimmery summer soundtrack, capping off a season of sequin cloaked, cocktail-infused sunsets. The album’s sonic blueprint is best defined by combining the Brooklyn collective’s penchant for nu-disco with classic Yacht rock sensibilities, and rounding them out with the pulsating yet polished rhythms and grooves.

Written in Puerto Rico during a week-long writing session shortly before COVID-19, the band gathered to write disco music inspired by the smooth daytime dance sounds of Poolside, Leisure, and Satin Jackets. With their instruments in hand, and bare feet in the pool, they talked about their ups, downs, successes, and mistakes living in New York City, and all came to a common experience; various stages of a summer love; themes that have been reflected in singles “Flip Me Over” and “Tired of Being Over You”.

Bad Business Club Naked NeighborTrack Listing:

1. Flip Me Over

2. Tired of Being Over You

3. Too Hot to Tame (Prelude)

4. Runnin’ from You

5. Casa Soleada

6. Reflections

7. Early Morning Hours

8. Flip Me Over (Summer Sunshine Version)

About Bad Business Club:

Bad Business Club is a Nu-Disco collective with some old-school Yacht Rock touches. All Things Go said of their debut EP that it has “style that will take some back to the late 70’s, with harmonies larger than life that can bring arena shows to those humble headphones.”

Staying true to the “collective” approach, Bad Business strives to play into each individuals’ strengths. Alex Vans writes the structure of each song, purposefully leaving out specific grooves or indications to further the group’s collaborative creative method. Morgan Wiley of Midnight Magic handles production by infusing the tracks with disco influence and focusing each track on the desired texture. Sam Behr brings stellar vocal talent that helps to supercharge the melodies. Jackson Bell functions as the lead guitarist and adds structure and counter melodies to the collective’s colorful tracks, while Jim Campbell and Max Azarmehr round out the collective by dually serving as the group’s groovy backbone.

The group is primarily influenced by classic Giorgio Moroder-style Disco, and Modern Daytime disco al la Poolside and Holy Ghost!, while combining the harmonic influences of Yacht Rock. Their smooth sound transports listeners to another place, to summer breezes and early morning champagne.

They are also the hosts of the Imbibe the Vibe podcast, where they combine classic cocktails with a different music genre every month.

 

We had a chance to catch up with Bad Business Club, this is what we learned:

How did the ‘Bad Business Club’ come into existence? 

 

The group actually started back in 2016 as an outlet for me (Alex Vans) to play old Steely Dan, Michael McDonald tunes and the like, playing mostly bar gigs around Bleecker St in Manhattan. I remember our now lead guitarist/arranger Jackson showing up at one of our gigs and hearing me playing the famous solo from Steely Dan’s peg and saying ‘you did a good job, but you didn’t stick the landing,’ then implying if I brought him on, he could, in fact, stick those landings.

Jackson and I started writing a lot of Yacht Rock tunes together, and recording out of the same studio that Morgan Wiley (founder of Midnight Magic) produced in. Morgan took an interest in remixing a few of our original releases, and those remixes really started to feel like the direction the band should go. Jackson brought in Max Azarmehr who covers all percussion, and Jim Campbell on bass, who both really lean into the disco vibe. This is our first record to feature our newest member Sam Behr, who really brings in the vocal fireworks.

 

If you can pick one thing that you would like your fans to resonate with, what would it be and why? 

 

Probably how we sign off every episode of our podcast, which is ‘Have fun out there.’ I think the music in Naked Neighbor projects that ethos.

 ‘Tired of Being Over You’ is just one of the singles in an extensive line of new music from your upcoming Naked Neighbor album (out August 13th). What is the secret to putting out so much amazing music over and over again? 

 

For us its all about each member having a defined role based on their biggest strengths, and developing a repeatable process based on where everyone fits into the puzzle. I’m the main songwriter in the group so I start alone with the song itself, but I try to focus on only the lyrics, melody, and chord progression, really staying out of the way for everything else (if you to listen to the first stage demos I sent out its just me singing the lyrics with block piano chords underneath).

Then I’ll get out of the way and let Morgan and Jackson go to town on fleshing out the arrangement (ideas for instrumentation, rhythmic feel, etc). We’ll make a “demo 2.0” with those ideas, then the band comes into the studio and plays to the demo. Max and Jim will have 1 rhythm section day, and Sam and I will do one big vocal party day per song.

It also helps to be in the studio all day with people who know the process, can execute it, but also be fun and supportive throughout. This is the first project where I’m consistently at ease and having fun every hour I’m recording.

 

Working as a group can have its pros and cons as many different dynamics can affect the way the music and its productions come about. What would you say is one of the key things that you all share that brings it all together to form your style of music? 

 

It builds off our recording process but also manifests in how we perform live, and create any other content. Which is, understanding what your strengths are, and where your place in the music is. I’m fortunate to be surrounded with people that all come from a jazz background, and one thing that experience in a jazz group, or a jazz education teaches you is not just to bring it when its your time in the spotlight, but also knowing when to step back and leave space for someone else.

I know I can write lyrics and sketch out chords and melodies that make sense, but Jackson can write a synth string arrangement to follow those chords way better than I can, and Sam can think through a lot more ways to expand upon the vocals. Same goes with the other folks.

After a new track is done and released what is one thing that you all share in common that you like to do to celebrate? 

 

Jackson and I host a cocktails and music podcast called Imbibe the Vibe. When there’s a big release we’ll typically get everyone together for an extended episode. It involves Jackson making fancy cocktails for us, and listening to a music genre that ‘spiritually’ matches the cocktails. The last one had Morgan our producer on and we had our fair share of vodka while listening to Nu Disco. I’ve got some ideas for the next one with the whole band, but I’ll wait until after the 13th!