“We wanted to give listeners a poppier, radio friendly 3:30ish version” – an Interview with FREQz

FREQz (pronounced like “frequencies”), the dynamic indie rock band hailing from Oakland, California, recently released their debut album Grizzly Peak, which is available on vinyl and digitally on their Bandcamp page. Formed in the summer of 2021, the quartet comprises of best friends Nelda (of Extra! Extra!), JaMile (of W.O.E.), Alisa (of Cave Clove), and Harry (of Lagos Roots). Their music, characterized by pulsating rhythms and a blend of climactic rock with intricate electronics and loops, offers a captivating sonic experience that ranges from atmospheric to rebellious. Their electrifying live performances have earned them a reputation for delivering gripping, sexy, and dramatic shows.

We caught up with the band a few weeks ago as they got ready to release the album.

Hi! How’s everything going right now?
Everything is a rockin and a rollin! We’re gearing for a string of shows in Santa Cruz this month and preparing to record one of our new songs at Tiny Telephone in Oakland with Beau Sorensen. 

What classic album cover art is your current mood?
Collectively, we’re in a place of Tool’s Lateralus and Bill Evan’ Undercurrent

Really enjoying Grizzly Peak (which was released on June 7th). When and where did you write and record it?
The core of the songs started to take shape with weekly jams during the COVID quarantine in 2022 with Nelda, Harry, and I in our Oakland studio we lovingly call “The Jamhole”. As we started to get some golden nuggets, Alisa joined us and we started to hone in and give the songs life. The album was recorded by Danny Echevarria in Idyllwild-Pine Cove during a snowy early April 2023 in his home studio Sky Island. 

You previously released a series of singles under the title but this is an extended cut as well as being available on vinyl for the first time. Did you re-record or were you tempted to change any of the previous versions for the new release?
We actually had the idea of having both an extended cut and single cut of the songs. The songs, in their natural state, started as jams that could be 15 minutes long. As we arranged them, we often arrived at versions that were 5-10 minutes. While we frequently perform songs that long, we wanted to give listeners a poppier, radio friendly 3:30ish version. If they like that they can dive into the fuller sonic landscape on the album.

It’s quite a sonically diverse collection – what does each member often bring to the mix of styles?
Everyone brings something different, but we definitely have overlaps. JaMile and Nelda both LOVE Radiohead and The Cars— I think that intersection says a lot about our song structures and instrument choices.
Nelda is vocally influenced by everyone from Solange to Chrissy Hynde to Bonnie Raitt, to Gregorian chant. She grew up singing in the Kansas City symphony children’s choir, but her dad was in rock bands.
Harry’s primary influence is Animal from The Muppets. For this project he draws from the drum machines of Arthur Russel, the polyrythms of Babatunde Olatunji and the collage work of Geologist. 
Alisa comes from a more punk rock background, Fugazi and Rancid were huge influences on her bass playing in her youth. She’s mellowed out a bit though, and is always looking for unique ways to keep the rhythm driving and interesting. Less pogoing, more hip swaying.
JaMile’s influences are vast and varying, the creative philosophies of Miles Davis and Sun Ra are at his core. For this project JaMile channels the guitar work and soundscape stylings of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Sonny Sharrock, and Adrian Belew.

If you could only listen to one record, what would it be?
Astral Weeks, Van Morrison.
JaMile – Taking Tiger Mountain(by Strategy) – Brain Eno. It kinda has it all!

You were all in other bands before forming FREQz in 2021 – what brought you together?
JaMile, Harry, and Nelda were previously in a band called Day Ghost— FREQz formed out of the remnants of that. Really we all lived in the same area of West Oakland and shared the same music scene. Alisa had a solo project called Saalt, and we all shared a bill together one night. Eventually, with the sands of time, we completed the sound we were looking for.

Who were you listening to when you were growing up and how did they influence the sounds on “Grizzly Peak”?
Nelda- Van Morrison for reflectiveness, The Cars for hooks, Animal Collective for acid experimentation.
For Alisa, Pretty Girls Make Graves really inspired finding a dynamic, darker sound that combines electronics with indie rock. A band can have peaks of high energy with crunchy guitars and also moments of melancholy that inspires introspection and then surprises you again with a burst of electricity.
Harry – I would say Flying Lotus and Animal Collective are probably the main veins for me. 
JaMile – It’s not very noticeable, but I LOVE Anita Baker and Sade. There are some specific chords and riff choices in songs that are DIRECTLY influenced by them. I think the R&B and Jazz I listened to growing up had a big influence on this record. Actually, more than some of the obvious heady experimental stuff ironically.

You played a record release show at The Knockout in San Francisco. What are your favorite venues to play in the Bay Area?
Love Eli’s and Thee Stork Club— those two venues are featured in our first two music videos from this album. Both venues have honored the legendary music scenes that came before and support the new bands that are coming up today. Plus, the ambience is on point and the beverage program always hits.

What would go on your signature pizza and what would it be called?
“FREQz MEATz”: a sourdough crust with vodka cream sauce, topped with spicy sausage, slow-cooked brisket chunks, bacon, green and black olives, caramelized onions, and jalapeños.
JaMile – We actually discussed this at length long before receiving this question!

What else do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
We’re recording a new single called “Archie” with Beau Sorensen at Tiny Telephone in Oakland. We’re also working on a Pacific Northwest tour for the fall. Besides that, we’ll be working on new material and continuing to keep the bay area freaky.

Follow FREQz on Instagram to get all the latest news on releases and concert dates.

Feature Photo Credit – Rachel Rothstein