By: Lisa Steinberg
Photo By Chris Baca
Q) Your music is described as surf goth, but how would you describe your sound?
A) I would describe it as nostalgic ‘60s-inspired emo music. There’s a sadness and melancholy to it, but at the same time it has this uplifting feeling, kind of like a lot of music from the ‘60s. Back then, people were writing songs that sounded happy on the surface but carried deeper emotions underneath. That’s always been something I’ve loved and I think that’s what Tony Jupiter sounds like.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Mac DeMarco, Beastie Boys and The Beatles have all had a huge impact on me. I’ve taken little pieces from all of them and built something in my own head that reflects the kind of music I love making.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Baby I Move.”
A) The song was inspired by real-life experiences – both my own and stories from friends. It’s about those moments when someone you love is far away for a long time and insecurity starts to creep in. We tend to overthink and let our minds create fears that aren’t really there. “Baby I Move” is meant to be an ode you can send to someone you love – a reminder that no matter where they are, how they look or what stage of life they’re in, they’re always on your mind and your love for them doesn’t change.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think, as humans, we all know how scary change can feel in a relationship. When someone you love starts a new chapter or life pulls you in different directions, it’s easy to let fear and insecurity take over. I think people connect with the song because it’s a reminder that love doesn’t have to change just because circumstances do. Sometimes we just need to reassure ourselves – and each other – that what really matters between two people can stay the same.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) There isn’t an official video for “Baby I Move” yet, but I’ve always imagined one. I’d picture two people moving through life together without faces, almost like they’ve lost their identities to fear and insecurity. By the end of the video, they’d finally reveal these big, smiling clown faces. For me, the clown represents embracing who you are instead of hiding behind doubt. It’s about finding joy and confidence in love again after letting insecurity take over.
Q) What are some themes you explore on your new album Clown Syndrome?
A) Clown Syndrome is really a tribute to both the younger version of Tony Jupiter and the person I am today. The album reflects everything I’ve learned through friendships, relationships, heartbreak and personal trauma. At its core, it’s about growth – accepting the experiences that shape you, even the painful ones, and realizing they’re part of who you’ve become. It’s about looking back without getting stuck there.
Q) The album was recorded in Miami over a week-long stretch. What was your songwriting process?
A) Recording in Miami was intense because there wasn’t any time to waste. Working with my friends Marco [Rivero Ochoa] from Mustard Service and RLA Arron, we’d wake up early every morning and spend the entire day writing new songs, revisiting old demos and figuring out how to make them the best they could be. Even though we were working nonstop, we were also having the time of our lives. It was a crazy experience and I’m still grateful to those guys. We all put a piece of ourselves into Clown Syndrome and I think you can hear that throughout the album.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I’d say I came into the album with about 75% of the vision through the demos I’d already written, but Marco and RLA Arron helped bring that vision to life. They pushed me completely out of my comfort zone and challenged me to think differently about songwriting and production. Throughout the process they taught me so much and by the end it didn’t feel like my record anymore – it felt like our record. We were all putting in the same amount of work and I think that’s what makes Clown Syndrome so special.
Q) What songs off Clown Syndrome hold a special place in your heart and what makes them so significant?
A) “Forget Me” is one of the songs that means the most to me because it was one of the last songs I wrote for the album. It was inspired by a close friend whose long-term relationship ended out of nowhere. She was left feeling completely abandoned, almost like everything they had built together had been forgotten overnight. I connected with that pain and wanted to capture those emotions as honestly as I could. I think the combination of the lyrics and the melody says everything I wanted it to – they carry both the heartbreak and the longing to be remembered.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to this album as a whole – either as an emotion or a message?
A) More than anything, I want people to know that I’m human. I’ve felt heartbreak, loneliness, insecurity and all the emotions that come with growing up, just like everyone else. If someone listens to Clown Syndrome and feels a little less alone because of it, then I’ve done what I set out to do. I hope my music reminds people that someone understands what they’re going through and that I’ll always be there to support them through my songs.
Q) Your first headline tour was a huge success. Where are some of your favorite places to perform?
A) Our first headline tour exceeded every expectation I had. We were lucky enough to play all over the country and I know this probably sounds like the most basic answer, but I genuinely don’t have a favorite city. Every single show meant something different to me because we gave everything we had every night. Whether there were fifty people or five hundred, we treated every stage the same. The fans in every city made the tour unforgettable and that’s what I’ll remember the most.
Q) You created the Quédate Conmigo Fest in order to bring together artists and fans from your community. Why was this mission so important for you to accomplish?
A) We live in a world that constantly tells people they have to fit in, be perfect or live a certain way. I wanted to create one night where none of that mattered. Quédate Conmigo Fest is a celebration of being different. It’s a place where people can let go, be themselves, party and feel accepted without judgment. Whether you’re a longtime fan, a first-time listener, a clown, a clownette or someone who’s never felt like they belonged anywhere else, for one night you’re part of this community. That’s what the festival has always been about.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Mac DeMarco and Cuco are definitely at the top of my list. They’ve both been huge inspirations for me and have had a big influence on the way I think about writing music. Getting the chance to create something with artists I’ve looked up to for so long would honestly be a dream come true. If that ever happened, I think I could die happy… [laughs]
Q) What artist or musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Lately I’ve gone back to my roots and have been listening to a lot of The Beatles. Every time I revisit their catalog, I’m reminded why they had such a huge impact on me. Their songwriting is timeless and I love how they could write songs that sounded simple on the surface but carried so much emotion and creativity underneath. They’re one of those bands I’ll never get tired of.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you for believing in me, trusting the music and sticking with me through every step of this journey. None of what we’ve accomplished – from making this album to touring the country – would have been possible without your support. Every stream, every ticket, every show and every message means more than you probably realize. We’re just getting started and I’m genuinely excited to see where this road takes all of us. I can’t wait for everyone to be part of what’s next.