IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Future Generations

From college to touring all over the U.S., Future Generations have made quite a name for themselves. Future Generations, formed and based in New York City, showcases the musical talents and passions of Eddie Gore (lead vocals, synth, guitar), Eric Grossman (guitar), Mike Sansevere (synth, guitar, percussion), Devon Sheridan (bass), and Dylan Wells (percussion). They released their debut EP, Polysun, on October 21, 2014 via Frenchkiss Records, followed by their self-titled debut record on July 29, 2016, which features the hit “Stars”. Most recently, they put their much-anticipated sophomore album, Landscape, on September 14, 2018. Not only have they performed at a handful of notable NYC venues such as Rough Trade, Mercury Lounge, Pianos, Le Poisson Rouge, and Rockwood Music Hall for a Communion Residency, they have shared the stage with artists such as City Of The Sun, Savoir Adore, and ARIZONA.

They recently wrapped an their extensive nationwide tour to promote the new record, with support from Zuli. They returned to NYC to finish out the tour with a sold out show at Baby’s All Right. Pausing from his busy touring schedule, Eddie generously contributed some time to chat about tour essentials, places to eat in NYC, and how one should listen to the new record.

What’s the story behind the formation of Future Generations?

EDDIE: Three of us originally met our freshman year of college. We were all in the same dorm building, and we ended up meeting through that. We stumbled into a practice room together and started making music together. I guess we just decided to be a band from then on. We have since added a couple of members—Devon, our junior year of college, and Dylan, coming up on almost 3 years from Craigslist.

What was the first instrument (musical or non-musical) you started making music with?

EDDIE: For me personally, I started making music at a very young age. My dad is in the music business, and he taught me piano from a very young age. I started playing probably before my memory started forming, but I didn’t really care about making music until high school. During my sophomore year, I started to get into, like all teenagers do, an emotional stage, and I started writing my own music and doing that whole thing.

You released your sophomore record, Landscape, on September 14, 2018. What was the process of writing, recording, and producing it?

EDDIE: I would say our process is unique, just like a lot of other bands. We have our own style; we typically write demos in one of our bedrooms, most likely Devon’s. Depending on whose is available, we go in and come up with some interesting fun ideas—a synth sound or some drum grooves. We’ll build a demo based off that that. We’ll usually have a chorus, and spread out from there. After we have demos, we’ll compile a list of ones that we really like to take into the studio. We had a 2-week period when we recorded and arranged a song a day in the studio until we had a full album of music. We mixed and mastered it afterwards.

Which song (released or unreleased) are you most proud of?

EDDIE: The most proud of? That’s a good question. It probably changes person-to-person in the band. Personally, I’m a big fan of “Stranger”, the first song on our new album. We wrote it at the very beginning of 2016, or at least started it. It went through a bunch of changes, and what came out at the end of it is something unique, and we’re proud of it.

While on the road, what are some of your essential tour items?

EDDIE: We have a tour van, and his name is Morrison. He’s the most essential part of our touring life. Other than that, right now, what’s big is Pokémon. Everyone’s got their own Gameboys, and they’re playing their own favorite versions of Pokémon. Mike actually has a whole box of Pokémon cards, and that’s something he’s been doing this time around. McDonald’s breakfast is probably up there on the top five. We typically don’t eat McDonald’s for lunch or dinner, but their breakfast, I can at least say, is top-notch.

What’s your favorite food and/or restaurant in NYC? Any places back home?

EDDIE: That’s a good question. Eric, what’s your favorite New York restaurant?

ERIC: I do like Olmstead.

EDDIE: Olmstead is making a big impression on this band, it seems.

ERIC: ABC Kitchen. Osteria Morini is my favorite pasta in New York.

EDDIE: Eric is usually the person we turn to for the best restaurant wherever we are. Russ & Daughters is also fantastic in New York.

I’m from Nashville, so I like hot chicken. Hattie B’s is always consistent. Princes is the original. Husk is a hot one; we always go there. We love food—we search out the best that we can afford on tour all the time. Though, last night, we had Applebee’s, and it was delicious.

What happens before you go onstage? Is there a Future Generations pre-show ritual?

EDDIE: We don’t typically have a ritual, I would say. We usually hang out in the green room with whoever’s opening. We’re currently on tour with a band called Zuli, and they’ve been great. We just hang out with them in the green room making jokes and being friends. That’s what we do best. We keep it casual. At the end of the day, what we do is not a very serious thing. We play music, so we try not to make it too serious.

If there were a pizza with the name “Future Generations”, what toppings would it feature?

EDDIE: That is definitely a question I have never heard before. Cheese, pepperoni, keep it simple. I love jalapeños, mushrooms, pepperoni, and extra cheese, extra sauce. Dylan threw out duck breast, but I’m going to veto that. Regular crust is good, but when I order from Domino’s, I usually get the handmade crust pizza every single time. It’s fantastic.

Who’s your favorite superhero character, and why?

EDDIE: My favorite superhero is Spiderman, without a doubt. He’s the coolest, he’s the youngest, he’s the hippest. His superpowers are so fun. I’m just going to speak for everybody and say Spiderman.

What’s a question you have wanted to get asked in an interview, and what’s the response to it?

EDDIE: A question I’ve never been asked before but have wanted to get asked is, “How should you listen to the new Future Generations album?”

It would be to sit down, get a nice glass of red wine, light a candle, don’t be doing anything else, don’t be watching TV, don’t talk, and just listen. Enjoy it. Pay attention from top to bottom because there’s a lot going on. There’s a lot to pay attention to. I think that’s the best way, but make sure you light a candle because you gotta set the mood. We made the album with a lot of candles and low light, so that’s the best way to listen to it.

Many thanks to Katie for coordinating and Future Generations for taking the time and thought to respond to the questions!

Be sure to follow Future Generations on Twitter (@futuregenband) and Instagram (@futuregenerationsmusic), and like them on Facebook (/futuregenerationsmusic) so that you don’t miss any updates!