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Surviving the Dream with FIDLAR

by Grady Olson

Photo by Jordan Cramer

In the heart of East Los Angeles, tucked away in the Balboa Recording Studio and art space, FIDLAR – Zac Carper, Max Kuehn, and Brandon Schwartzel – crafted Surviving the Dream, their first album in over five years. Recorded in 12 days, with just the help of a few buddies. That’s how Zac Carper, Max Kuehn, and Brandon Schwartzel wanted to do it. But also kind of how they had to do it, with no label, no fancy producer, a testament to FIDLAR's DIY ethos. But who gives a shit where you record, the boys are back and they’re the same as they ever were but a lot different. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

The Dream Evolves

Surviving the Dream is a phrase they coined based on Aussie band and good friends Dune Rats' motto, "Living the Dream." But for FIDLAR, the dream has shifted and evolved into a new meaning; it now teases on that darkness that is a constant underlying positivity, reflecting the realities of getting older and navigating life's ups and downs. As lead singer Zac Carper explains, "They used to be crashing on couches and people would ask how they were and they'd just say, 'living the dream.' So whenever I’d be out during covid and someone would ask me how I was doing, I’d say, 'surviving the dream.'"

Photo by Jordan Cramer

Creative Process in the Midst of Chaos

For Carper, the new album's creation was intertwined with his journey of self-discovery as it’s the first album since the frontman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Having a somewhat better understanding of his creative process now, which comes in waves while in a manic state, "It took longer. I was scared to drop in." he admits, describing the waves of manic creativity that fuel his songwriting. "Once I do, there's no stopping that wave. It’s like meth. I’m up for three days. I’ve tried meds and they make me okay but it kind of fucks with everything else. So I’ve just got to find that right cocktail.” 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

It's in the aftermath of these manic episodes that the editing and refining process takes place that shapes FIDLAR's distinctive sound. “I do drafts. I’m a big fan of drafts. It starts out with a ukulele and then there will be like 7 demos to it. So once I create, I just create and create and then crash. Then I’ll listen back, like okay; what sounds good? There's a lot of editing.”

 

"Once I do, there's no stopping that wave. It’s like meth. I’m up for three days."

 

DIY or Die

With no label backing, FIDLAR welcomed back their familiar DIY approach to recording. "No one would give us a bunch of money," Max Kuehn quips. "No one would do it for us, we’re off a label, so why not just self produce it," adds Brandon Schwartzel. This self-reliance allowed the band to maintain creative control and capture the raw energy that defines their live performances. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

The same goes for the album cover. Wanting to create that paint pen, exacto knife, ‘broke kid let’s just make something aesthetic,’ they just did what they wanted with the font and the smiley face. “We took that and manipulated it to use as a single art piece but then also throughout the lyrical videos. We scanned it and fucked it up, paint penned it, scanned it again.” Brandon

Photo by Jordan Cramer

Aging Gracefully in the Mosh Pit

While the band members may be getting older, their fan base seems to stay young, which is good for the guys  "After the pandemic, we realized everyone is like 15. What the fuck happened?" Carper laughs. “We were all expecting everyone to have kids and pull their Fidlar shirt out of the garage, like an old dude with a beard and a beer. But then there was this youthful sort of energy that really pumped us up.”

Photo by Jordan Cramer

For FIDLAR, energy is the driving force behind their music. "One of the main rules is just energy, energy, energy. How do we bring the most energy to it?" Carper emphasizes. This focus on capturing the live essence of their music allowed them to record the album quickly and efficiently, prioritizing feeling and vibe over technical perfection.

This youthful energy has injected new life into the band, like a punk fine wine, they’re aging gracefully in the mosh pit, inspiring them to continue pushing boundaries and creating music that resonates with the young and restless. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

The Dream Continues

FIDLAR's longevity can be attributed to their unwavering commitment to craft and DIY spirit. As Schwartzel puts it, "Let’s get it out, go play, and then keep going. Keep playing, keep writing, and then record stuff when it comes." Surviving the Dream is a testament to this enduring passion. FIDLAR is here to stay, ready to ride the waves of music, life, or whatever else for years to come. 

Photo by Jordan Cramer

Photo by Jordan Cramer

 

FIDLAR - 2024 NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING TOUR DATES

September 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

September 24 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

September 25 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom

September 27 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

September 28 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre           

September 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Grand At The Complex

October 1 – Denver, CO @ Summit

October 2 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre

October 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

October 5 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre

October 7 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre

October 8 – Buffalo, NY @ Electric City

October 9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

October 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

October 12 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues

October 14 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

October 15 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

October 16 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

October 18 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle

October 19 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

October 21 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater

October 22 – Austin, TX @The Mohawk

October 25 – Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress Plaza

October 27 - Del Mar, CA @ The Sound At Del Mar                       

October 31 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether

February 17-25, 2025 - Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise

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Meet Lucas Beaufort: creator of HEART, a book and tour to honor 40 years of skateboarding

“You have to be doing 1,000 things. Always yes, that’s a good vision in life. Just say yes and then you can form and sculpt a project however you want. How can you live a life by saying no?”

In the vibrant world of skateboarding, where art meets asphalt, there's a man who hails from France named Lucas Beaufort, a jack-of-all-trades artist, who defies boundaries by pushing the limits of creativity both on and off the board.

“I started skateboarding when I was six and my mom put me on a board. I loved every bit of it. But she was tired of it after a while since I kept ripping my clothes from falling, and she had enough. So she put me in team sports.”

Then at 13, that spark reignited, and he found himself immersed in a world of endless possibilities. As Beaufort navigated life, he discovered that skateboarding was more than just a sport; it was a way of life, a source of inspiration, and a muse for his artistic pursuits. 

 

 

“It taught me everything I know really, how to speak English, how to travel the world, make friends, and see the world. There’s nothing like skateboarding for the culture. From the street fashion brands to the luxury brands, to the cinema industry, you can see so many things that are drawn from skateboarding. For 100 bucks you can get a board, you don't need a car, you can just go from your house and go anywhere.”  

"For 100 bucks you can get a board, you don't need a car, you can just go from your house and go anywhere."

Throughout his travels, Beaufort realized that skateboarding had a universal appeal, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. It was a common thread that connected people from all walks of life, creating a sense of community and belonging.

 

Driven by a desire to capture the essence of the culture and being cooped up during quarantine, Beaufort embarked on an ambitious project: HEART, a book celebrating the iconic skate shops that have stood the test of time. Each shop featured in the book has a rich history, spanning decades of dedication to the sport, bringing together old and new generations of skaters and paying respect to the pioneers who paved the way. 

 

 

After the book launched, Beaufort embarked on tours visiting each shop featured. Going from Japan to Europe and now finally making his way to the USA. For a 10-stop tour celebration of the skate community, bringing together local skaters, over 250 total artists, musicians, and anyone else with an interested eye. With Pabst Blue Ribbon sponsoring each stop, what the nights have in store is unknown, but Beaufort can’t wait to see. 

 

 

“I want the whole city to come out, to have music, live artists. Just one night each, ten stops, I don’t want to plan too too much. We’re going to be at the shop from 6 to 9 pm and anything and everything can happen after that. I want to freestyle a bit. Let’s go eat together. The shop is just the starter of the night. I want the local skate scene to come out and to have a good time, but then also see what they are into, where they go, and to take me with them.” 

 

 

Beaufort's unwavering pursuit of his artistic passions, combined with his infectious energy and ability to connect with people, has allowed him to create a body of work that celebrates the essence of skateboarding and beyond. His journey is a testament to the power of following one's dreams, embracing change, and leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Catch Lucas at one of his stops over the next month where cold beers will be flowing from the loving support of PBR: 

  1. TENANT (Brooklyn) : April 12th 
  2. Humidity  (New Orleans) : April 23rd
  3. No Comply (Austin) : April 26th 
  4. Cowtown (Phoenix) : April 28th 
  5. 303 (Denver) : May 1st 
  6. Escapist (Kansas City) : May 4th
  7. Familia (Minneapolis) : May 7th 
  8. Antisocial (Vancouver): May 10th
  9. Atlas (San Mateo) : May 15th
  10. Pawnshop (Covina) : May 17th

Be sure to follow Lucas Beaufort on Instagram to stay in the know of each stop.

 

 

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PBR: The Place, Traverse City

By Grady Olson

Rain doesn’t fall here, but it’s misty; my glasses fogged up from the humidity and there’s sandal straps over people’s ankles with shorts on but a Patagonia fleece up top. This is my Traverse City, Michigan experience, hosted by Pabst Blue Ribbon. The lawn is constantly being watered by the sprinkler that makes a rainbow. Water is no issue here due to the Great Lake. Every stretch of grass is green, and the people ask how you’re doing and mean it.

Each room is designed to a theme at The Grand Traverse Motel. There’s the Arcade Room, Dive Bar, and Rec Room. I was in the Rec Room. All are filled with classic memorabilia that the PBR brand represents. Ice cold ones are kept stocked in the hidden mini fridge. An original Nintendo set is plugged into the TV that was taken from your grandma’s house. The whole motel fits into the traditional mindset of PBR with a single metal key to get into your room after checking in at the quaint lobby. 

You can see why PBR chose Traverse City — everything about it is up their alley. The burger joints, the pubs, the thrift stores, and even the grocery store all have their own unique style and welcoming charm. At night on the weekends, The Coin Slot Arcade Bar has live music on the roof, with The Little Fleet providing food trucks and ice-cold Palomas to help fight the heat. The scene’s a mellow one, a somber one, things tend to be like that here, slowed down like the lake’s tide coming up. The lake is almost always within two blocks of where you are in town. You can always walk down for a dip to cool off or stroll the canals looking at the boats.

I heard from a few locals that wintertime in Traverse isn’t necessarily where you want to be, temperatures drop below zero and an icy wind blows off the water. I have a feeling once that snow melts next summer, I’ll be coming back for more.