The Happys – She Found Love

By starrymag | January 3, 2025

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

A) My band’s sound I simply call Alternative rock. I grew up listening to The Pixies, Nirvana, Sublime, Tupac [Shakur] and Johnny Cash so it’s hard to nail down.

 

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?

A) My top 3 would right now would be Tupac, Kurt Cobain, Atmosphere (Sean Daley) but it changes a lot.

 

Q) Tell us the story behind your latest single “She Found Love.”

A) We were touring with Spray Allen, which is a super group featuring people from Late Night Episode, Wade Youman from Unwritten Law and Eric Wilson of Sublime. We were jamming at his house in San Diego, which we do often when in the area. The singer of Spray Allen, Daniel Lonner, helped me write and choose which songs out of the ones I had to record. Eric came down from his room and sat in with us recording. He was being cool and showing us some synthesizers he used in Sublime during Bradley Nowell’s period of the band. The rest is history.

 

Q) You also recorded a music video for “She Found Love.” How did you come up with the concept for the music video?

A) We played a show in Half Moon Bay, and then I begged Brett [Brazil] (Happys’ bassist) to pull over at the world-famous Flintstone House (Hillsborough, California). We did it all gorilla, and luckily didn’t run into any problems. I was hoping to meet the owner of the house and look around; maybe stay there a night or two (I had heard it’s on Airbnb.) We will probably make another video for the song with our Director Will Rushton, too.

 

Q) Since the release of “She Found Love” what has been the reaction from fans and listeners to the new music?

A) It’s been really good. We are one of those bands that’ll get big over time very slowly in my opinion, from talking to bigger artists and just observing that’s what’s happened since the beginning. It’s been lightly requested song. I’m sure on indie stations, usually over time it gains respect. I could see maybe even a “delayed blow up.” Like the band Pavement. The song is really exciting, in my opinion. and differs slightly from former Happys’ tunes and mixed by Brian Rosemeyer who did Kurt Vile, Starcrawler and Weezer. It’s aggressive and pixies like I thought the pain of the story permeates very well on the hook on the final mix.

 

Q) With this song out, you’re also working on a new album to be released in 2025. What are some themes you will be exploring on it?

A) Yes, I am really excited about our next album coming out The Happys basically is like Tame Impala in that it’s a journal of my life that I can hide behind alter egos and stuff. The songs touch on so much like one song is about fentanyl dealers and the destruction they cause. I have some songs detailing the struggles I had with ADHD and substance temptation of all forms that we all deal with. There are songs against wars and against racism going on the world. One song is about getting kicked around and used by people. I like to have the message of finding yourself despite it. There’s a song about what it’s been like in the indie world and navigating success at times and challenges along the way.

 

Q) You recorded “She Found Love” with Eric Wilson (Sublime). What was it like getting to work with him and what kinds of conversations did you have prior to recording the single?

A) I can’t describe how much it meant to me getting to play with one of my idols. I learned to play from Bradley Nowell and friends, same with Kurt Cobain with the Lights Out box set. It really brought things back full circle and made some of the pain that I went through along the way make a little bit more sense for me.

In this day and age, it’s a little more transactional when you’re doing projects, but he doesn’t do stuff like that. He really tried to stay in an artistic mode not thinking about really anything just about being in the moment. I’ve played live with him in the SF Bay Area and at his house many times, but recording took it to a new level. It was a highlight in my life. He’s been so cool to us we are blessed. I’m just grateful he’s a great man and he’s put on some really amazing artists.

The only cool story around that time I heard was that Eric told me “Badfish” was a breakup song for Brad before Troy, the girl he had dated, cheated on Bradley when he was on tour. He also said no matter what Brad had to get the most girls and the most drugs, and he misses him a lot. He said he didn’t want to die, but the disease of addiction took him. It wasn’t his wish, and you could see in his eyes. He’s been a good mentor and told me to believe in myself and what I’m bringing to the table.

 

Q) With a new album coming out in 2025, will there be an upcoming tour to promote the new music?

A) Yes, we will probably tour around May, but we will play old songs, too. I’m thinking summer or winter next year we do a “listen to The Happys tour.”

 

Q) Which song is your favorite to perform at live shows?

A) I like playing “She Found Love.” Sometimes I like playing the neglected songs – “Breathe Comfortably,” “Someone’s Gold” and “Druggie Song.”

 

Q) You worked with Eric Wilson on “She Found Love,” but is there an artist you dream about working with in the future?

A) I’d like to work with Krist [Novoselic] from Nirvana, Paul McCartney or a big pop star like Sabrina Carpenter who could bring some big energy – Post Malone and Jelly Roll, too. We’d make some magic because similar chemistry (I’ve thought of that a lot).

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

To the fans thank you so much and thank you to the ones making signs and going hard spreading our music. You all have kept me alive during hard times. Keep believing in me I believe in you. Thanks for keeping me smiling. I love you all.

Two side notes – at times I’m shy. It’s not conceited – it’s shyness at shows. If I’m weird in person I’m thankful for the people that see that. Also, if you see me on tour sometimes I rest my voice. I’m not ungrateful if I’m not talking. You can talk to me about anything, and I’ll listen very well. Love, gratitude and thanks from Nick Petty

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Nick Petty