'The Unlikely Candidates' for Rival Magazine

While we all collectively sighed for the last two years, I ended up discovering my covid catalog of music just as many other isolated folks did. You know what I mean, all of the new discoveries you made while shacked up with perhaps their loyal pet and too many zoom calls. One of these happened to be The Unlikely Candidates, an indie rock outfit from Texas that pushed through the pandemic to now support 311 on their headlining tour. You may know them for their hits “Novacaine” and “Oh My Dear Lord” but I fell in love with their 2020 covid creation “High Low.”

However, the band, founded in 2008, still has not released their debut album. In this interview, I had a chance to chat with The Unlikely Candidates about their journey as artists from small town Texas to national tours.

How did the band come together initially?

Cole and I went to the same school but only occasionally hung out in groups. We would see each other around school and at shows. We both went to a party one night and Cole started playing a Green Day song on guitar. I was buzzed enough to sing to it, even though I was a bit shy when it came to stuff like that, and I had never sung in front of anyone. The high I got from performing with someone and in front of people lit up something in my brain. I asked Cole if he wanted to jam the next day and we never stopped after that. 

Why did you play so many gigs before releasing your debut full-release?

We have released several EPs but because of different issues with contracts, moving around labels, bad timing, and bad luck, it just kept getting pushed back. So we just played shows, put out EPs, and singles.

How does touring now compare to touring pre-pandemic?

I think it has relaxed a lot as of late but even a few months ago, there was a cloud of anxiety over you as you drove around the country. Everyone is trying to be as safe as possible for the sake of their fans and themselves. The venues and band’s livelihoods were sort of up in the air. Back before the pandemic, there was carefree interaction with one another and we didn’t have to worry about all of that. 

Tell me your best and worst tour memory.

One of the best was playing at a big festival in Colorado in front of ten thousand people and partying all the rest of the day. We crowd-surfed Cole in our RV and shot off fireworks.

One of the worst was having our van break down in the desert - we needed multiple tows to get it to LA while we all crammed into the tow truck for a 400-mile trip.

What was the inspiration behind your hit single “Novocaine?”

It was about being a twenty-something slacker, living paycheck to paycheck, and trying to have a decent time while getting by. You are kind of embracing you are a mess and bummed a bit at the same time. I was basically living that life at the time, so the lyrics came easy. 

 Did you really record “High Low” in an apartment closet?

It was during the pandemic so I didn’t have a lot of options. I just made a recording booth in my closet and those sessions ended up being on the radio. 

 How has the recording process been for your upcoming debut release of Panther Island?

We wrote it during the pandemic so we had to come up with ideas and write over FaceTime. Then we would send the instrument tracks back and forth to assemble the track. I would record the vocals in my makeshift closet booth and we would put it all together.

 What advice would you give to your 2008 selves?

Never stop writing songs, find a good entertainment lawyer, and enjoy the ride. 

 Hard or soft tacos and why?

Soft. Corn or flour, I think they are better. Easier to make stuff in and freshly made tortillas are amazing. 

I saw you play at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. How does playing a bar show compare to playing larger stages supporting 311?

It was a crowd of our fans which is a lot of fun because everyone is there to see you and knows the songs. The big stage is fun because there is more room for theatrics and you get to show your stuff off to a new crowd. It’s always funny seeing new people react to the performance.

What should fans be looking out for in 2022?

We have a single “Here I Am” coming out 4/22 and then an album on 5/20. So a lot more songs and a lot more touring. We have a few shows in Austin and then some more in June! So keep an eye out! 

The Unlikely Candidates ignite that fire inside me for rock and roll. Although the band has ridden on a rocky road over the years, 2022 is shaping up to be their year with the release of their first album Panther Island. I definitely look forward to seeing The Unlikely Candidates at a future festival as they are going places, maybe even as a headliner themselves.

Meet the Author

How did the band come together initially?

Cole and I went to the same school but only occasionally hung out in groups. We would see each other around school and at shows. We both went to a party one night and Cole started playing a Green Day song on guitar. I was buzzed enough to sing to it, even though I was a bit shy when it came to stuff like that, and I had never sung in front of anyone. The high I got from performing with someone and in front of people lit up something in my brain. I asked Cole if he wanted to jam the next day and we never stopped after that. 

Why did you play so many gigs before releasing your debut full-release?

We have released several EPs but because of different issues with contracts, moving around labels, bad timing, and bad luck, it just kept getting pushed back. So we just played shows, put out EPs, and singles.

How does touring now compare to touring pre-pandemic?

I think it has relaxed a lot as of late but even a few months ago, there was a cloud of anxiety over you as you drove around the country. Everyone is trying to be as safe as possible for the sake of their fans and themselves. The venues and band’s livelihoods were sort of up in the air. Back before the pandemic, there was carefree interaction with one another and we didn’t have to worry about all of that. 

Tell me your best and worst tour memory.

One of the best was playing at a big festival in Colorado in front of ten thousand people and partying all the rest of the day. We crowd-surfed Cole in our RV and shot off fireworks.

One of the worst was having our van break down in the desert - we needed multiple tows to get it to LA while we all crammed into the tow truck for a 400-mile trip.

What was the inspiration behind your hit single “Novocaine?”

It was about being a twenty-something slacker, living paycheck to paycheck, and trying to have a decent time while getting by. You are kind of embracing you are a mess and bummed a bit at the same time. I was basically living that life at the time, so the lyrics came easy. 

Did you really record “High Low” in an apartment closet?

It was during the pandemic so I didn’t have a lot of options. I just made a recording booth in my closet and those sessions ended up being on the radio. 

How has the recording process been for your upcoming debut release of Panther Island?

We wrote it during the pandemic so we had to come up with ideas and write over FaceTime. Then we would send the instrument tracks back and forth to assemble the track. I would record the vocals in my makeshift closet booth and we would put it all together.

What advice would you give to your 2008 selves?

Never stop writing songs, find a good entertainment lawyer, and enjoy the ride. 

Hard or soft tacos and why?

Soft. Corn or flour, I think they are better. Easier to make stuff in and freshly made tortillas are amazing. 

I saw you play at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. How does playing a bar show compare to playing larger stages supporting 311?

It was a crowd of our fans which is a lot of fun because everyone is there to see you and knows the songs. The big stage is fun because there is more room for theatrics and you get to show your stuff off to a new crowd. It’s always funny seeing new people react to the performance.

What should fans be looking out for in 2022?

We have a single “Here I Am” coming out 4/22 and then an album on 5/20. So a lot more songs and a lot more touring. We have a few shows in Austin and then some more in June! So keep an eye out!