Future Future Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 9th 2010 4:00PM by Rika Nurrahmah
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Future Future is Sparta--Sparta, New Jersey that is. Embedding experimentation and emotion into electro, rock and pop, brothers Jordan and Jamie Lawlor have pervaded both New Jersey and New York with their musical concoction since 2008. Although Future Future's discography only consists of a self-titled EP, the music blog Alztron deemed the sound "the next big punktronic crossover." While still of high school age, the brothers will be jetting to Austin for their first SXSW showcase, and Spinner talked to Jordan about the duo's youthful journey.

Describe your sound in your own words

I like to think of it as pop music with interesting bits thrown in--like instrumentation and lyrical content that goes beyond traditional pop. I guess you could call it experimental.

How did the band form?

Well we're brothers, and there was a guitar and an amp and a drum set in our basement so we just kind of crawled over to them and started playing. We're still in high school. Jamie is a freshman and I'm a senior. We've been putting a lot of time into this. We treat it like it's our first priority.

What are you musical influences?

I really like Phoenix, Lady Gaga, the Beatles. I think that's it. My brother pretty much listens to the same thing.

How did you come up with your band name?

I'm not really sure, but I think it came out of us being young. There was always this left-handed compliment we get--it always goes, "You guys got a great future ahead of you." It's kind of s----y though because it sounds like what we're doing now is crap, but in the future it will be good. So apparently we'll evolve into something worthwhile then.

Name some personal possessions you plan to bring to SXSW.

Well let me think here. I definitely want to bring my laptop. I heard Jack White is opening some record store at the fest for the weekend. I guess I'll be bringing a handful of cash as well.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced at your shows so far?

I don't know, it's always been pretty boring. There's really nothing I can say yet. You'll have to wait for the future.

What's your biggest vice?

Oh god, Facebook. Either that or writing really terrible songs, there's some stuff that comes to mind that I can't ever use. It's almost like having mental junk mail.

Beatles or the Stones?

Definitely the Beatles. I have not been exposed to them growing up, but that's exactly why I love them. Especially in my house, the Beatles is a band I'm learning as I grow up. I just heard 'Yesterday' three weeks ago and I loved it, it was totally new to me.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Hmm. I sort of hate celebrities, but I remember when I was like 13 or 14 I saw 'The Royal Tenenbaums' and the character that Gwyneth Paltrow played in that movie was looking good. However, she's totally different than the actual Gwyneth Paltrow, so I didn't like the actress--I was more in love with the character.

Rika Nurrahmah is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.