Interview: bedbug

Photo by Dustin J Watson

Today, we have the pleasure of delving into the creative universe of bedbug, a musical project that’s been turning heads and capturing hearts. Their upcoming album, ‘Pack Your Bags, the Sun is Growing,’ exemplifies the evolution and expansion of bedbug’s distinctive sound. The recent release of the single “Halo on the Interstate” offers a glimpse into the sonic journey that awaits us.

Dylan Gamez Citron, the mastermind behind bedbug (they/them), has taken the project to new heights with a full-band iteration based in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. While bedbug’s roots lie in lo-fi and bedroom pop, reminiscent of artists like Julia Brown and The Radio Dept., this latest endeavor incorporates the energy and urgency inspired by influential bands such as Built to Spill and Cap’n Jazz.

As we embark on this interview, we’ll uncover the creative process, inspirations, and the fascinating fusion of genres that define bedbug’s musical landscape. Without further ado, let’s dive into the enchanting realm of bedbug.

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your fourth full-length album, ‘pack your bags, the sun is growing.’ How does this album represent the evolution of bedbug from your earlier solo project days in Boston to the current full-fledged indie rock band based in Los Angeles?

Dylan: Well, the answer is right there in the question! This album is the culmination of some changes to bedbug over the last few years. We’ve officially cast aside the crutches of “lofi” or “bedroom” recording! I really wanted to try to make a real indie rock record, and I finally think I did. I think it’s something I’ve wanted to try my hand at for a few years but didn’t feel confident enough in the songwriting or recording. Thanks to Nick Dussault at Big Nice Studios, I’m happy to say that it turned out better than I could’ve imagined. 

It’s been nearly four years since your last album and your first material since the 2022 self-titled EP. What inspired the extended hiatus, and how did it influence the creative process for this new album?

Dylan: I wish I had a better answer here, I was honestly hoping nobody would really notice. It was mostly just a busy four years! In the last few years, I’ve started and finished graduate school for school counseling. I moved across the country from Boston to Los Angeles. We recorded it right before I left, and I sat on the mixes for a while while sending them back and forth to Nick. In the end, I’m glad for the wait, because I really had the chance to nail the vision I had for the album as a whole. 

‘pack your bags, the sun is growing’ is the first LP recorded in a studio and features a full band. How did this change in recording approach and band dynamics impact the sound and overall energy of the album compared to your previous works?

Dylan: The previous albums were all solo, so all the songwriting and recording was done alone in my room. I would use my cassette recorder, an acoustic guitar, and my synthesizers. For this one, I wanted to make something dynamic since there was a full band. But, simple answer, it’s a lot louder! I didn’t go into it expecting to make a super loud record, but when you play in a bunch of basements, it’s fun to have louder songs for the crowd. 

The album is described as an unashamed love letter to indie rock greats like Built to Spill, Cap’n Jazz, Modest Mouse, and Broken Social Scene. How do these influences manifest in the new record, and how did you balance preserving the lo-fi energy and bedroom pop heart of your earlier works?

Dylan: Some of it is in smaller ways, some bigger. For the bigger stuff, Built to Spill was a big inspiration for the recording style itself. Early modest mouse had a big influence on my guitar playing, vocals, and the simplicity of the instrumentation on the record. I love that those early indie rock bands were rough around the edges, so I wanted the album to capture that feel without seeming sloppy. As for preserving the energy of the earlier works, I think that my songwriting itself makes it inescapable. 

Can you tell us more about the concept behind ‘pack your bags, the sun is growing’? The album is described as kaleidoscopic, blending confessional lyricism with surrealist storytelling. What themes or narratives are explored in the songs?

Dylan: I don’t often have clear concepts behind my albums, but I do have some themes that I’ll retread throughout the songs. I’ve always been a fan of albums that feel connected beyond individual songs. In earlier records, I gravitated to broad themes like seasons, tv, and animals. I tried to also ground those themes with slice-of-life stories. Sometimes they’re autobiographical, often it’s a mix. For this one, I use nature, space, and the apocalypse as themes. I mean, I guess. I feel like saying any more would kill the mystique. 

“Halo on the Interstate” is the lead single from the album. Can you share the inspiration behind this particular track and how it sets the tone for the rest of the album?

Dylan: For sure! I actually wrote halo on the interstate at the same time as the opening track on the album “the city lights”. In some ways, halo on the interstate is like the second half of that song. In general, I’m always writing two or three songs at a time, sometimes more. It keeps them connected to me. As far as why I picked it for the single, that song has a lot of different parts. In a way it feels like a microcosm of the album itself. It has a lot of dynamic range, it has an acoustic part, it has a more twinkly, riff heavy outro with cello. It has a louder chorus. Some of the other tracks on the album lean more to one of those than the others, but halo on the interstate has a little bit of everything. 

Photo courtesy of the band.

The transition from a solo project to a full-fledged band is a significant journey. How has the collaborative process with the band members influenced the songwriting and musical direction of bedbug?

Dylan: The band was awesome. Generally, I’m pretty protective of my songs. I rarely collaborate on things like verses or structure. But playing with the band helped me turn those skeletons and ideas into full songs. I was lucky, we worked well together! More than anything, I think the band was good at making sure that regardless of which direction we took the songs, they captured my intended feeling while songwriting. 

Over the years, bedbug has shared the stage with artists like Japanese Breakfast, Grouper, Lomelda, Snail Mail, and others. How have these experiences and collaborations impacted the band’s growth and sound?

Dylan: They haven’t much! I’ve been fortunate to play shows with some pretty cool people, but generally it’s been normal. At the time, most of those bands were also diy projects playing small venues and basements as well. I’ve been much more influenced by my friends’ bands or local bands that I’ve been lucky to really share a scene with, like puppy problems, really great, pink navel, (T-T)b, brittle brian, and alexander. There’s so many more. Or bands that I’ve been a longtime fan of that I have been lucky enough to become friends/acquaintances with, like Me In Capris, kitchen, infinity crush and frog. 

As an artist, how do you see the indie rock landscape evolving, and where do you think bedbug fits into this ever-changing musical environment?

Dylan: I’ve been wondering this myself. I feel like a relic of a bygone era sometimes, putting so much focus on full albums rather than streamable songs. I’ve never been able to write songs with immediately catchy choruses, or even traditional verse-chorus-verse structures. It’s corny, but I worry that my music sometimes fits between genre tags. It’s not grunge-y enough for most of the indie rock playlists, too loud and not “vibey” enough for the bedroom or lofi playlists. It’s a little too soft for the emo playlists. I think it holds me back. Hell, I could barely pick a single because it felt like reading a book and starting from the middle chapter! But on the other hand, I’ve also noticed that those quirks, and the attention to detail I give my albums as a whole are why they have resonated so strongly with certain listeners. I get messages weekly about how important my record from 2016 was for them, or even how I’m one of their favorite musicians! That’s crazy to me! Sometimes it’s intimidating to receive feedback like that, since I honestly feel like a dorky music fan first-and-foremost, certainly not deserving of that kind of praise. But it does make it worth it. I wouldn’t trade any amount of fleeting streaming numbers or tik tok fame for the care and support that my (few) fans have shown me over the years. 

The album is currently available for pre-order. What can fans expect from ‘pack your bags, the sun is growing,’ and do you have any special messages or insights you’d like to share with your audience as they anticipate the release?

Dylan: I think it’s really good. It’s a little different than what I’ve done in the past, and it may take more than one listen to really resonate. But I’m really proud of it. I hope there is room in the music landscape for it. I’m not sure what the future holds for bedbug, or how long it will be until the next one, so for now, I really hope you all enjoy this!

Source: thoughtswordsaction.com