Pop-funk fusion. Already the descriptor that quintet Florencia & the Feeling uses to describe its music is enough to compel a listen. Add in the further bonus of jazz, Latin, and rock roots, and it’s clear that this Johnson City, TN-based band has the makings of some pretty amazing sounds. And, boy, do they deliver. The quintet – Florencia Rusiñol (lead singer and rhythm guitar), Austin Herron (drums), Nick Castro (bass), Isaac Ratliff (keys), and Noah Wise (electric guitar) – make beautiful music, with depth and breadth, intricacy and grace. The musicians bring their A game, and the voices weave and slide, harmonizing together, while Rusiñol’s lead vocals charm and invite repeat listens. It’s music to move to, to feel, to explore, and to exalt in. Amplify sat down with Rusiñol to discuss their brand new album, “Birthday,” its themes, the organic nature of their music, and so much more.
Hi Florencia! Thanks for joining us today. Your new album, “Birthday,” is really stellar. Tell us how you created this album.
Thank you! We’re so excited about it. This album was born out of us recognizing that we had a new collective sound that we wanted to put out into the world. We wanted something tangible that we could use to show people exactly what we sound like, but also, our fans wanted to listen to us, too! We really saw that when we launched our Kickstarter and fully funded the album in just 11 days! It was amazing.
What are some of the overarching themes of the album and how do the songs fit into those overall themes? What do you feel the album’s message is?
Many of these songs I wrote after a challenging break-up that ended in a cross-country move. I felt anger and regret, but I was also seeking acceptance and self-compassion. After moving back home, I started healing and finding love again in my family and friends, my pursuit of a new career in music, and in new romance as well. I proved to myself that there was life, a much better life, after heartbreak, and I believe that is the message of the album. No matter how long it takes, if you’re unhappy, it’s never too late to start over.
We totally loved the song “Three Steps” on first listen. What inspired this song? Why did you write it?
This one is definitely very intertwined with the message I was talking about. Essentially this was my Lizzo-inspired way of saying, “Hey, you’re over him, you’ve learned your lesson, it’s time to move on.” I wrote it because it was what I needed to hear, but I also knew that getting over a relationship is a universal experience, so I wrote it for anyone who needs to hear that message.
What sort of a vibe did you want this song to have? Do you think you accomplished that in the final recorded version? If so, how so, and if not, what changed in it?
So, like I said earlier, I felt very inspired by Lizzo’s uplifting energy when I wrote this song. I wanted to tell myself and others, “Girl, you’ve got this!” I’m not sure if it’s quite as pop as Lizzo would have made it, but I like that it’s our funk-pop version of that.
Did you write the lyrics or music first for this song? Which way do you usually write, music or lyrics first?
Is it a cop out to say simultaneously? Ha ha. With “Three Steps,” I wrote the main riff, which is four chords, and I immediately wrote the first verse and the chorus. Overall, I mostly write a chord progression first and then write a melody and lyrics over that.
What was the recording process like? How is it overall to work with the band in the studio? Any fun studio stories to share?
It was so, so fun! We loved working in the studio with Martin Walters, our producer. He had a lot of great ideas to contribute, and has so much experience in the world of recording, that it made it really easy for us. One of the goofiest moments was probably when we recorded the beginning of “Three Steps” where we are trying out different break up lines, ha ha. We had a fun time laughing at our voices and poking fun at each other.
Your sound is so organic and natural. How did you settle upon the Florencia & the Feeling sound? For the Amplify readers who are just meeting you for the first time, how would you describe your music?
Our sound really formed very organically. It started off with Austin, Nick, and me getting together to play my catalog, which was heavily based in pop, jazz, and soul. The two of them had been touring in rock and jam bands previously, so that began to sink into my songs as well. When we picked up Isaac and Noah, the nu-funk and R&B sounds further solidified, but we also love making people dance, so we always love incorporating funk and disco in our originals and covers. So it’s hard to put all of that into a few words, but we usually say we’re a pop-funk fusion group with Latin and rock roots.
Who are your (and your bandmates) biggest influences? Why do those artists resonate for you?
My biggest influences are Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, The Manhattan Transfer, and more recently, Sammy Rae & the Friends. Stevie Wonder and later-era Beatles were pioneers in making music complex yet accessible, and I love the way that The Manhattan Transfer and Sammy Rae & the Friends perform and get people on their feet.
What does the rest of 2023 hold for Florencia & the Feeling?
We’ve got a bunch of amazing shows lined up, and we are just gonna keep promoting our new album and writing music so we can continue to release it for our beloved friends and fans!
