San Diego based band almost monday, consisting of Dawson Daugherty (vocals), Cole Clisby (guitar) and Luke Fabry (bass), opened for AJR on their Maybe Man Tour at the Ball Arena in Denver. The SoCal-based band brought their vibrant and sun-soaked sound to the stage, captivating us all with their infectious energy and mesmerizing performance.
I had the opportunity to sit down with the band during their second show in Denver to delve into their journey as a band. We reflected on their past milestones and tour moments, as well as explored their future ambitions and newest release, “tidal wave”. Speaking with the band was an incredible honor; it’s evident that Almost Monday is set to make waves in the music world with their unique charm and lively sound.
READ OUR LIVE COVERAGE RECAP OF almost monday’s SHOW IN DENVER
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Q1: Being from San Diego, a place with a pretty big and notable music scene, how do you feel like the space influenced your sound? What do you hope to give back to the area?
Dawson: Yeah, it’s so funny. Like when we were kind of starting out, when we were kind of younger in the band, people would ask a similar question like, how has San Diego informed your music and stuff? And I feel like early on we were like, “Oh, I don’t know, it hasn’t really.” And I feel like as we’ve matured and found our sound more clearly, I think being from San Diego, it’s such a wonderful place. As you were saying, such great community, so much to do.
We all grew up surfing and I think we realized, as a lot of artists, like being fully yourself is kind of the best bet you have. We just grew up around such kind, giving people, like stoked, happy. And I think it just, you know, is in the DNA of the music. It just kind of comes through. I think as we’ve gotten a little bit more clarity on what we’re trying to do, like just being ourselves and like what we experienced and processing that in the music and then putting it out feels like the best way.
So in a whole roundabout way, I think San Diego’s like really informed what we do in our music. And it’s cool. I think a lot of people can feel that. Like when we meet fans and people, they’re just like, I could tell you guys are from there. And that’s a really high compliment. I’m like so stoked when I hear that.
Azza: Yeah, I love the San Diego vibes. The music scene there is amazing. The community, the culture. I think it has a lot of things that, in my opinion, are what a good city needs, like culturally wise.
Q2: Congratulations on your new song, tidal wave! I listened to it and I’m a big fan! I’m very excited for the new music coming out. So a little bit about the song. Do you have a story behind the sound and how it came to be?
Dawson: Yeah. We wrote it with our producer, Simon. And I think the unique thing about “tidal wave” is it was really like – sometimes it takes a while to get a song and you sit with it for a while. And “tidal wave”, it was kind of like a flow state, like Cole brought in some chords and a guitar line. And then I just started singing to that and then just ‘tidal wave’. The song, sometimes you’re lucky and the song kind of just writes itself. You don’t have to think too much. You’re just kind of in that flow state with it. And ‘tidal wave’ is like one of the few songs, like you’re so stoked when you get one like that because you’re like, ‘Oh, that was so easy.’ Like I wish every song felt this easy to write. That song just felt so like flow state. And it just feels like really band defining right now. I feel like ‘tidal wave’’, it feels like almost monday to me. At least right now. So it’s a special one for sure.
Cole: Yeah. I remember kind of struggling in the studio for a little bit when we were writing for the album. And then when this song came about, it was like a sigh of relief because like, ‘Oh, okay, we got like a song that feels very almost monday and like we’ll definitely make the album.’ So we were really stoked. And then it kind of changed the trajectory of the rest of our studio time.
Q3: Do you guys have a song that maybe you struggled with a lot but then it ended up being one of your favorites or maybe it just had like a character arc?
Cole: We do. Yeah. A few.
Luke: The song “can’t slow down”, which came out. That one almost was kind of lost in the archives as songs get. We were driving up to LA and kind of listening to old demos and I really liked the chorus, but the verses weren’t very good. So we kind of took it back, reworked it, tried to pump some life into it and eventually got it to where it is. But that happens. It was something that happens. I think it happened to “life goes by” too.
Cole: Yeah. “life goes by”. That was also a project song.
Luke: Yeah. We love that song too, but it’s funny how songs, I think that’s why you should keep an open mind just because sometimes it writes itself in 15 minutes, but if it doesn’t, that’s also okay, you know, and just let it kind of do what it will and the good songs will come to the top.
Cole: If there’s a spark of life in it, it can get revived sometimes.
Q4: Are there any movies where you could see one of almost monday’s songs in?
Azza: I’m a big movie fan, sometimes I make playlists of songs in order of what I think a certain movie would be like.
Dawson: Love that question. Somebody asked us this like pretty recently and we all said, Surf’s Up. That movie has such a good soundtrack. Ah, so good. Surf’s Up.
Cole: I feel like another good one, because we did get asked this a little bit ago, I couldn’t think of something, but now I’m like, Wes Anderson movies. I feel like some of those would really fit some of our songs. Like that movie Darjeeling Limited has a really good Kinks song in it that just made me love that song. I feel like it would fit well in one of his movies.
Azza: Yeah, I love Wes Anderson. He’s great.
Dawson: He’s, I mean, I know everybody’s inspired by him, but he’s been like pretty deeply an inspiration to us. Like we put a lot into our music videos because we want — like being in a band, being an artist today is so much more than just the music. It’s like creating a world that people can kind-of like in, or understand. And yeah, he’s been a huge inspiration to us when we go in and try to make videos. Just clean, punch zooms… really, any Wes Anderson would be cool.
Azza: Do you have a favorite movie? Favorite Wes Anderson movie maybe?
Dawson: I haven’t seen all of them. Fantastic Mr. Fox is so good. Yeah. Such a banger.
Cole: Yeah, Darjeeling’s really good. Life Aquatic.
Dawson: There’s so many good ones.
Cole: Moonrise Kingdom.
Azza: They’re all so good in their own way.
Dawson: I just recently watched his short Netflix film. Oh yeah. The Doctor, or something.
Azza: Henry Sugar?
Cole: That was the only one I hadn’t seen.
Dawson: Henry Sugar yeah. That was fun. Benedict Cumberbatch. It’s so fun. So great. Eye candy.
Q5: Since you guys have been on tour, I’m sure you have many stories from the road but do you have any memorable tour memories? Maybe a fan interaction that was memorable?
Dawson: There’s one, every time somebody asks – some of our fans know this one. It’s kind of infamous now, but there was a show that we played in Chicago on our first headline tour. And this sweet girl in between a song, yelled out, “Hey, can you help me ask this boy out, like from stage?” And it was like a small venue. So it’s a request you can’t ignore. Everybody heard it. So okay yeah, she rang him up on FaceTime and threw me the phone. And I’m just on with this guy. What was his name?
Cole: George.
Dawson: George! And I’m like “Hey George, like I’m here with whoever. And, um, she’s really into you, man. Like, would you want to go out with her?” And just on the mic he just goes, “No, I don’t really like her like that”.
And just the whole crowd is just like, “Oh my”. And this poor girl, she’s sitting right there. And the only thing I knew what to do was just, “F*ck you George”, and hung up. But that was so heavy.
Azza: That’s so tough.
Dawson: But, you know, as the story has aged out and I’ve gotten away from it, kind of poor George too, getting put on the spot. Like that’s kind of fair to be like, “Oh, I don’t like her like that”.
Cole: We saw her again too. And she was like, ‘I’m glad it worked like that” or something.
Dawson: Yeah. That one was heavy. That was George. That one’s infamous.
Azza: Sorry George, it happens. That really sticks with you. Especially because it was a no.
Dawson: Oh, it was so, it got so silent. And it was just like a breath – “No, I don’t really like her like that” I was like, “Oh my gosh.”
Azza: Well, you know, hopefully they’re in better places now. Everything happens for a reason.
READ OUR LIVE COVERAGE RECAP OF almost monday’s SHOW IN DENVER
Q6: I saw you guys recently played The Forum, that’s super cool! And you’re going to play MSG soon, congratulations! That’s super big! Do you guys have any bucket list venues or any dreams as a band that you are excited for?
Luke: I think it’s kind of a smaller venue, but there’s a venue in San Diego called SOMO. And that’s where I saw my first show. And we haven’t played it, oddly enough.
Dawson: We really haven’t?
Luke: Never.
Dawson: That’s wild.
Luke: It is funny. Yeah. And I think that’s a possibility coming up. So, it’d just be cool to see what backstage is like there because I’ve seen so many shows there. So it’s just personal.
Azza: So true. It’s always like – hometown shows are always a little bit more special.
Dawson: It’s so funny too because I swear we’ve played every other venue in San Diego.
MSG and the Forum were definitely on that list. And it’s fun to check them off. And I think they’re both ones that you’re like, “Oh, we’ll play that”, but like not fully believing. I kind of want to just throw out in the world like Wembley Stadium. And see if there’s a crazy timeline where we’re sitting with you in Wembley Stadium, talking about the next place.
Azza: Maybe the moon, who knows?
Dawson: Yeah right.
Luke: First show on the moon.
Cole: I think now that the Forum is checked off, and MSG, mine would probably be the Hollywood Bowl. Just like right in the middle of Hollywood with just open air. Such a cool venue.
Azza: Yeah. It really is. It’s so cool how different venues have such different vibes and auras. Having different experiences with them and how and they kind of really stick with you. Yeah, like every time I go to a concert, I’m really thinking about the environment I’m in. When you’re at Red Rocks or the Greek Theater and it’s so different but so good in its different ways.
Q7: Do you guys have any pre-show traditions or rituals you like to do before you go on stage?
Azza: I was thinking about this because – so I take a lot of exams, usually have one every other week. And every exam day before I take the exam on my drive to school I have a pre-exam playlist, except my drive is only three minutes so it’s just one song – Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO.
Dawson: Such a banger.
Azza: And I think I didn’t play it once, and I was like, no…
Cole: That doesn’t feel right.
Dawson: Yeah, we sort of have like this huddle, and we have like a weird, like, ‘hip-hip’, I don’t know.
Luke: We just say words.
Dawson: An interesting little huddle ritual, it’s funny, it’s random, but yeah, little huddle, huddle up, try to get the boys hype.
Cole: Dawson, sometimes listens to Jason Mraz before we go on.
Dawson: Jason Mraz, yeah, he’s a huge influence.
Azza: I love that. That sounds so fun. I like to have little traditions. It keeps the consistency, I guess, in different locations, when you don’t know what’s going down.
Dawson: Totally, yeah, it’s so huge.
Azza: I feel like it can bring you back to something that you do know.
Q8: This is kind of a niche question, but you know how back in the day when we all used to buy songs on iTunes? And then now when your phone connects to your car it plays a song automatically from your library. What would that first song be? Or your first iTunes purchase?
Cole: I had that, that iPod, not the Nano, what was the one that’s like, long and skinny?
Luke: I think it’s the Nano.
Dawson: I think it’s the Nano. Or no, iPod touch?
Cole: No, that was different. It didn’t have a touch screen. I think my ‘A’, artist that started with an ‘A’ was AC/DC, so it was an AC/DC song, or something.
Dawson: Yeah, I remember the first one I purchased, for like 99 cents, was “Viva La Vida”, from Coldplay. And then also, it was a Lady Gaga song. What’s the album where she’s wearing the glasses and there’s like snow in her hair?
Azza: I don’t know what the album’s called, but it’s with Paparazzi, LoveGame, Poker Face…
Dawson: Yeah Poker Face! P-p-p-p poker face and then it would go to Viva La Vida. Crazy, crazy range.
Azza: It’s always the range, on iTunes, I had the Shrek soundtrack.
Dawson: Oh my gosh, I had that on my, what do they call it, where you actually had to put a CD… Walkman, yeah. My mom would get all bummed out when track 10, – oh my gosh, what’s the song, “I don’t give a damn, about my reputation”. My mom’s like, “Don’t listen to that, it has cuss words in it” and I’d like, secretly listen. You just unlocked a huge memory,
Azza: That’s so valid, the Shrek soundtracks are so phenomenal, I don’t know what they put in them, but, like Shrek 2. Accidentally in Love, that was so good.
Dawson: You know who followed us, on Instagram, maybe a month ago, was Smash Mouth. Yeah, we randomly opened Instagram, and it was like, Smash Mouth official has followed you, and that’s a classic Shrek.
Azza: So, almost monday on the Shrek 5 soundtrack.
Dawson: Yo, isn’t there another Shrek coming.
Azza: Yeah, Shrek 5, it was just announced, I think we need to find a way to get you on there.
Dawson: TikTok help!
Q9: Do you guys have a favorite local coffee shop, maybe in San Diego or one that you’ve tried on the road that you really like, and what’s your coffee order?
Dawson: Mmm, there is a lot of good coffee in San Diego. I’d say, my favorites currently are a coffee shop, called Steady State in Carlsbad, in the village. And then Necessity is really good too.
Luke: Yeah, I like Vigilante a lot. It’s by my house and I get Matcha.
Cole: One of my favorite coffee shops I’ve ever been to, is in Korea, actually. I think it’s called Hanyakbang, but it was literally in the middle of Seoul, and I found it on this app called Atlas Obscura.
But there’s like an alleyway to get in that’s like literally this wide or something, and it’s super hidden. It’s definitely like a hidden gem for sure.
Dawson: Yeah, it probably is. Cole went two days in a row, and was like you guys have to check it out, and it was truly, like, so sick.
Cole: And there’s a pastry shop on the other side of the alley that has amazing pastries. I think I had one of each because I went so many times over there.
Azza: Sometimes you just have to do that.
Dawson: I put together because of your [laptop], are you a big coffee fan? I couldn’t help but notice.
Azza: Yeah! Yeah I got some stickers on here and whatnot. They’re really old, and they’re kind of silly.
Dawson: Philz is great, yeah, I kind of want to get some reccs from you now, I lovveee coffee. You mentioned it earlier, but like, finding those little routines that you do at home, while on the road, is so important. And getting coffee, in the morning, in a new city, kind of, feels like, “Okay, I’m still kind of in control of my life”.
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It was such a pleasure to speak to the band about their journey, their music, and their future plans. Their passion and positivity radiate in their personalities and shine brightly through their music.
almost monday is currently on an arena tour with AJR and mxmtoon and will be joining The Driver Era in the fall for a European tour. Their new releases, “is it too late?” and “can’t slow down”, are incredibly infectious and showcase their signature style. Keep an eye out for their upcoming album, which is on the horizon! I can’t wait to see what the band does next and highly recommend catching their live set or streaming their music. Soak up the California sun with their latest tracks—you won’t want to miss the warmth and energy they bring.
READ OUR LIVE COVERAGE RECAP OF almost monday’s SHOW IN DENVER
