Strange Neighbors aren’t just making music; they’re navigating the chaotic circus of modern life with a blend of humor, heartbreak, and infectious power pop hooks on their latest release, People Pleasers Pleasing People. Out now via Mint 400 Records, the Brooklyn-based quartet’s new album tackles everything from toxic positivity to breakups and existential dread, all delivered through irresistible melodies and raw, unfiltered lyrics. Fronted by the dynamic Aidan Strange, the band’s sound channels the sweet yet gritty energy of late ‘90s/early 2000s teen comedy soundtracks, while also delving deep into today’s absurdities. From the biting social critique of “Influencer” to the melancholic anthem “Hate Me Less,” Strange Neighbors serve up catchy, contemplative earworms that dance between satire and sincerity.
Strange Neighbors is Aidan Strange (vocals) Beau Valentine (drums), Dana Bennewitz, (bass), and Zach Schweikert (guitar).
Your new album People Pleasers Pleasing People drops April 18. What themes or stories were most important for you to explore on this record?
Aidan: One theme that is woven throughout PPPP is that of figuring out how to come to terms with the gray in life. So few things are black and white, especially when you look back at major life events like breaking up, falling in love again, and having breakthroughs about what you REALLY want out of life. Things become a lot messier but also a lot clearer when you realize that the lens each of us used to view our lives are specific and flawed. And realizing that that is not only okay, but one of the coolest parts of story telling.
Zach: I think this is mostly an album about anxiety, and trying to fit in some way but never really feeling like you do. I mean, who hasn’t felt that way? And these are anxious times.
“Without a Head” is the final single before the full album release—why was this track chosen to close out the rollout, and what does it represent in the context of the album?
Aidan: Without A Head encapsulates so many themes on the album in a really simple and visceral way. Who hasn’t had the feeling of being imprisoned in a flawed and fleshy body that is just moving through life, taking in stimuli, learning difficult lessons, and thought “wouldn’t it be nice if I could just separate from all this for a bit”? But in the end, experiencing everything from sounds to relationships to self doubt, is all what makes life worth it. It’s a lot of fun to imagine what if, and then let that bring you back to a place of gratitude and grounding.
Zach: It’s probably the most musically complex song we’ve recorded at this point, so it just felt like a natural single in a “hey look at us!” way.
Your sound taps into that nostalgic, late-90s/early-2000s teen movie vibe while still feeling fresh. Who are some of your biggest sonic influences, and how do you balance homage with originality?
Aidan: I started writing music when I was 12 and I was listening to a lot of Matchbox 20, Avril Lavigne, Goo Goo Dolls, Evanescence and My Chemical Romance. Today when I write I don’t try and emulate or take specific inspiration from anyone genre or artist. But I think unconsciously I end up picking pieces from what I grew up listening to and the sounds that shaped me.
Beau: I was raised and shaped by a lot of acts that came out of the 2000s like Fall Out Boy, Queens of the Stone Age, System of a Down, and The White Stripes but also with huge spoonfuls of Funk, Yacht Rock, and Classic Rock from my parents. I’ve always gravitated toward music that made you want to move, and I’m always conscious of bringing that into the tracks I’m drumming. I think the thing that really saves us from sounding too much like a throwback is the fact that we all come with such vastly different influences that it’s bound to mix together into something fresh that takes components from all over the timeline of popular music. We’re still writing in our own context too, we’re not reminiscing on the past as much as it just happens to be baked into our musical language.
Dana: I like a variety of genres and the common theme is “does this make me want to dance?” I like a playful and distinct bassline, if you sway your booty in concentration you might be able to hear The B-52s and Deee-lite influence.
Zach: I think we’re influenced by a lot of the same bands that influenced those late 90s bands. Personally, REM and the Replacements were a big sonic influence on my writing for this album. We’re lucky to work with our producer, Mike Dwyer at the Bunker Recordings, because he steers us clear of sounding like some sort of time capsule band via the production. It sounds pretty modern and up to date, instead of us pretending it’s 1994.
There’s such a confident, female-fronted energy in your music—how intentional is that voice in shaping the band’s identity and storytelling?
Aidan: Since middle school when I first stepped into my confidence as a performer via musical theatre, I have been unable and unwilling to tame my in-your-face loud energy. I’ve always been a loud girl, and I’m an even louder woman, now with focus. When I started this band I knew I wanted to have a strong femme driven energy, not only because of who I was born as, but because women bring an edge of genuine rawness that I haven’t seen matched. Also, stepping into the music scene as a femme fronted and fueled band, it quickly became apparent that whether people realize it or not, they are perceiving us and reacting to us differently than if we were an all male band. My name, Aidan, is generally a male name, and I can’t even tell you how many times I have corresponded with people through email and they assume that I am a man. They talk to me in a specific way, and then when they see me in person and see that I’m not In fact a man, they start speaking to me completely differently. It’s usually only until after they hear us play and are blown away by how much we ROCK that I start to notice I’m being talked to more like a regular person, and not just the surprise lady lead singer.
Zach: Never trust a band that’s all men, that’s all I’m saying.
Strange Neighbors has built a strong following in NYC and recently signed with Mint 400 Records. How has that momentum shaped your creative or professional growth over the past year?
Aidan: As much as I wish it weren’t the case, having a label definitely makes people look at you differently. It’s a little scary because all the years that we’ve been together as a band we have been keenly aware of how important reputation is. We have always tried our hardest to be super respectful all the time of every venue and every band we’ve ever played with and every fan who has ever come out to give us a shot. We care about equality, morality, and fairness, and these are all things that we are constantly talking about as a band in terms of how we operate. Signing with a label is kind of like bringing in a whole new member to the band, and you have to be really confident in how that label is going to represent you. So far we’ve been really happy with the relationships that we’ve been building with and through Mint400! It’s a leap of faith but also one that is guided by gut intuition, and I’m so glad to have 3 of the best hearted band mates with whom to navigate everything.
Dana: I think having a label behind us gives us more legitimacy, it’s almost like a stamp of approval. We’re not hustling alone, we’ve got a community that believes in us, and that makes us seem less risky. I feel very fortunate to be part of Mint 400 Records, Neil (the owner) is very supportive and has connected us with music video directors, PR, radio, etc. and we’ve been able to do a lot more than we did on our own.
Can you tell us what fans can expect from the album release show at The Sultan Room? Any surprises in store for the live set?
Beau: If you’re curious about coming to a Strange Neighbors show, you can expect high octane energy, wacky costumes, and friendly faces at the merch booth. We’re always trying to come up with ways to make out live shows more engaging, so you might see smashed skeletons, or a chicken nugget communion ceremony, just depends on the night.
The album title People Pleasers Pleasing People is playful but layered—what inspired it, and how does it tie into the emotional core of the album?
Aidan: This album title is so fun to me because it’s tongue-in-cheek which is SO us, and it also has multiple angles. In a lot of ways as a band we are not people pleasers. We have a really unique sound that we are aware is not the sound that is trending or top 40 material right now and we think that’s cool. Our sound attracts so many different kinds of people with so many different tastes and music and I love that. But then on the other hand in a lot of ways like when it comes to promoting music and ourselves, and we have to in a way be people-pleasers, like on the internet. We have a responsibility to keep a connection with our fans and answer comments and continue posting content and trying to get new fans in ways that are genuine to us and the music. People pleasing is such a fine line to navigate as humans, and maybe even finer when it comes to entertainment. You are expected to please people and try to please everyone, which is just an impossible task. As musicians you have to balance. What does your audience want, what would future fans want, with what is authentic to us in the moment to make and create. That’s why I think so much of everything having to do with the entertainment industry is luck. But most of all, authenticity proves to be the key time and time again.
Dana: We were playing around with album titles and “People Pleasers” was suggested. Everyone started riffing on it in the chat, we all got on board when someone suggested “People Pleasers Pleasing People.” For me, the songs are an emotional eddy of relationships (to others, to yourself) and the doubt and anxiety around “am I doing enough to make X like me?” which feels like an ouroboros of people pleasers pleasing people pleasers pleasing…
What’s been the most gratifying moment so far in making and sharing this record?
Aidan: for a long time I’ve been asking myself what I consider success in the ever changing and frankly, scammy, ugly music industry. About a decade ago I decided that my ultimate success story would be to be one person’s favorite band. To me that would be indicative that my music has changed someone’s life for the better. Now by 2025, multiple people have told us that we are their favorite band, or that one of our songs is their favorite song. So in a huge way I feel completely accomplished and that goes for making this record too. Knowing that even just one song off this album is part of the soundtrack to someone’s life, wow, that’s just huge to me. That’s the ultimate gratification.
Beau: By far the most gratifying moment of the last two years with this band has been getting to travel a bit and play music in unfamiliar places, meeting new people, and bringing smiles to people’s faces. Performing is not only one of the great joys in my life, but also I believe it’s a necessity to bring people together for a good time and I’m always happy to facilitate that.
Dana: Getting feedback from fans, especially outside of shows, has been so gratifying. Having people listen to the album before a show and ask if we’re going to play a certain song or ask for the setlist at the end – that’s what I love to do, it makes me feel connected to the audience. Hearing that scream from the audience when they recognize the first few chords or seeing new listeners getting into a song and singing along to the last chorus brings home how fun it is to make and play music.
Zach: I think we’re all suckers for compliments, but for me I think it’s people telling us what their favorite songs are. After working on this album for so long, I know I get a little numb to everything, and just start to think “oh yeah, this one again.” But it’s great for people to hear the songs with fresh ears, and it gives me a new appreciation for our work.
