Free Friends are musical beasts! They write at least one song a day! They has incredible disciple and it shows!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
The name Free Friends came about on the way home from this last recording we did with Matt Malpass. Lauren and I were running on little sleep and punchy as hell just walking through LAX and making up joke band names. She said Free Friends and I was like, yeah, I think that’s it actually. Fast forward to meeting Gil and living together for a couple weeks prior to our show at the Middle East in Boston this past March and the name was set in stone.
As someone who’s gone through years of considering suicide and thinking the world would be better without me in it, to accidentally making it a day without the thought, and then a month, and then being mind blown when I realized I hadn’t thought about it for 6 months, I realized that it wasn’t an accident and that having my best friend and wife by my side made it possible. I want people to know that that phase can end because when you’re in it it feels like it can’t and never will. Sometimes all it takes is a song that totally gets you and makes you feel less alone which is why I only write about what I’m actually feeling and trying to get out in that moment. Other times it’s a friend that hears us out, builds us back up, and helps us see the world more accurately again. My goal with Free Friends is to write those songs that you can scream at the top of your lungs with the windows rolled down and to be someone that you can actually reach out to, be real with, and hash it out. I’m not happy all the time and sadness is just a part of life but we can make it more tolerable by helping each other back up when we inevitably fall. It’s a fam and newcomers are welcome. I have an open door policy on IG and as of writing this (5/27/23) I have responded to every message to date. Feel free to reach out anytime, if you need a Free Friend.
How would you describe your sound?
We’re a pop punk trio somewhere between Blink-182 and Waterparks with dual vocals and emotionally charged lyrics reminiscent of Taking Back Sunday and cello leads comparable to Yellowcard’s violin. Being all different ages we have a unique way of interfacing with and building upon every era of the genre
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Blink-182, Nirvana, The Cure
What’s the last song you listened to?
BLACKOUT (Turnstile)
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Either recommendations from friends and other bands or someone popping up so much that I have to see what’s up. Alternatively, Spotify.
Who is your dream producer?
Rob Cavallo
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with many talented people but if I had to narrow it down to someone I haven’t written with yet it’d be Rivers Cuomo or Gerard Way. I feel that we’d work well together.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
For my 11th birthday, I got enema of the state, a sears pro model guitar, and a skateboard. I keep making it because it’s the only thing that makes me feel alive and connected and I don’t really think I have a choice to do anything else. At least I’ve been nudged by the universe that it’s so (many times).
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Songwriting is my favorite part of all of this (performing is a razor thin second).
I write a song a day. It ZA Ndoesn’t have to be good, just finished. I start by listening through my voice memos and finding something that resonates. Then I set an alarm for 90 minutes and usually take a shower to hone in on whatever emotion I’m feeling during which I’ll record a few more voice memos to develop the melody and lyrics. In the last 5-10 minutes I’ll record a rough memo of the full song.
Thus I have my 10,000th song but when im going to record it’s an entirely different process of going through memos. Creating reference track and distilling down into my very favorite songs and elements.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
My favorite way to connect is in person or at a show in performing but aside from that we usually connect through TikTok or instagram:
Spotify
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@FreeFriendsRock
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@freefriendsrock
https://www.instagram.com/freefriendsrock
https://www.facebook.com/freefriendsrock
Website
https://www.freefriendsrock.com
What’s next for you?
Releasing Taking Time on June 14 and playing our first show with the new lineup at The Recher on June 17 so get your Presave on and tickets while they last! We’ll also be rolling out a new song and video every 8 weeks this summer all produced by Matt Malpass (Blink 182, Magnolia Park) featuring collaborations with artists like Hit The Lights, glimmers, and Makeout. National tour dates will be announced soon as well as a few other very exciting things!
Presave: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/freefriendsbendehanthiefclub/taking-time-feat-hit-the-lights
Bio:
The pop punk trio Free Friends, consisting of husband and wife Ben and Lauren DeHan along with drummer Gil Perez, have crafted the most jaw-dropping set of songs to hit the pop punk scene in years. Collaborating with Matt Malpass (blink-182, Magnolia Park), Matt Squire (Panic! At The Disco), and Sam Pura (State Champs), the group has created a unique sound that falls somewhere between blink-182 and Waterparks, accompanied by cello. Their upcoming EP features collaborations with artists such as Hit The Lights, glimmers, and Makeout, and with national tour dates and festival appearances in the works, Free Friends is ready to explode onto the scene.
Their dual vocals and emotionally charged lyrics are reminiscent of Taking Back Sunday’s anthemic hooks while minimalist verses that could’ve been written by Blink-182, are complemented by poignant cello leads comparable to Yellowcard’s violin. It’s a unique yet definitively pop punk sound that connects and builds upon every era of the genre.
Their latest release, “Last Flight,” produced and mixed by Bryan Czap (The Dangerous Summer) and Matt Malpass, is an emo/pop-punk anthem that sounds like blink-182 and The 1975 co-wrote a song for a John Hughes film. Its upbeat tempo, catchy melodies, and synth-pop vibes contrast with lyrics that tackle tough topics like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Don’t miss out on the excitement and energy of Free Friends – just hit play.
