INTERVIEW: Bus Stop Poets

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Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

Super, thanks for asking!

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Blow”?

It’s a tale about the gut punch of lost love. We went with acoustic guitar and upright bass on this recording and we feel that really lent to the organic, natural sound we were trying to achieve. Deep pockets and soaring harmonies was the goal, we’re pretty happy with the results.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

At surface level it’s about a friend of ours that was dealt a blow when his wife suddenly left him. But it’s really a bigger theme that most of us can relate to: Take that blow, get up, dust off and keep walking.

Any plans to release a video for the single?

Local DIY video-maker Maze Mouse made a video and we plan to post that on the ‘Tube when the album drops.

The single comes off your new album Leave It To The Kids – what’s the story behind the title?

Leave it to the Kids is the title track on our album. We wrote it about the state of the planet; what it is, what it was, and what it’ll be when we get the hell out of here. I guess we’ll just leave it to the kids.

How was the recording and writing process?

We have our own studio and the recording process was very relaxed. Just a great vibe all around. We had been gigging these songs for quite a while, so we were very prepared and tight as a unit by the time we began recording.  

As far as song writing; we have always been very collaborative. Most of our songs come from seeds of ideas that we all work on together.  Once we added Cindee Lish, who then brought in The Lafayettes, we were able to explore, then write and record with a new level of vocal prowess. They are featured on about half the songs on the record and did such an amazing job. We’re really lucky to have the chance to work with them. Beautiful voices, beautiful souls.

What role does Detroit play in your music?

The city is an inspiration for us, no question. Blue collar, hardworking, and immersed in music. It’s everywhere; from Motown to jazz to EDM, hip-hop and of course rock and roll. It’s all here; an amalgam of styles that co-exist and intermingle. We feel our record reflects a lot of that eclecticism.

How has The Stooges and MC5 influenced your writing?

We can’t say that our writing (or sound) is directly influenced by those bands. Like, there’s not a song on the record that we’d say ‘here’s our stab at MC5.’ It’s more like; this legendary Detroit rock has just seeped into our pores. Or maybe it’s osmosis. But it’s in there.

What were some of the human emotions you get to explore on this record?

Oh, it’s the usual parade: We’re happy, we’re sad, we’re in love, we’re out of love, plus some levity to help with the pain.

Where else did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?

Let’s see….a tractor parade, a brewery that broke our hearts, and a stop at urgent care.

Any plans to hit the road?

At this point we are focused on the record release event and a couple surrounding shows. We will see where that takes us.

What else is happening next in Bus Stop Poets’ world?

We have vinyl on the way! So, the album will be available digitally July 26^th but then later this summer we will have 12” records on hand also. We’re pretty excited to have our stuff on wax, that’s a first for us.

Beyond that, we are currently writing our next album. And since we have never felt locked in with any particular genre or set of writing rules, you can expect something quite different than what you hear on Leave it to the Kids.

Listen here