LA-based rock band The Bots are excited to present the music video for “Girl Problems,” the second single to be lifted from the Wednesday, September 8 full-length album release 2 Seater. “’Girl Problems’ is about finding yourself as a young woman under the influence of others,” said The Bots’ Mikaiah Lei. “We wanted this video to capture the elements of societal pressures and unrealistic standards that everyone faces; Isabel Hainer brought that to life perfectly.” Watch the music video for “Girl Problems” directed by Ted Newsome on YouTube HERE.
Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas, 2 Seater is the brainchild of musician Mikaiah Lei and is a multi-style body of work that captures the struggles of his young adulthood. Each of the 10 tracks that make up 2 Seater were written between the ages of 19 and 22 when Lei was undergoing a rapid burst of self-growth.
Now, as a 28-year-old, Lei has rewritten and recorded those songs to articulate themes he struggled to find words for back then: the ups and downs of young love, the need to nurture friendships, and the sentimental work of taking care of yourself each day. A limited run of 12” 2 Seater vinyl is available for pre-order via Big Indie HERE.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
The band started off as a sorta punk rock group as many bands kinda do. Learned a few more chords and techniques, began embracing more and more different genres. Nowadays I like to think of the band as a pop because I wanna write catchy songs at the end of the day but that doesn’t mean it can’t be something unconventional. If I were to call it something else I might say post punk, alternative rock music
What does music and being an artist mean to you?
Music means everything to me, I love music the way romeo loves juliet. I couldn’t live without. I love that music can be so many different things and I love how universal it is. Everyone makes music everywhere in the history of the world and its just beyond me that I get to participate in that
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
I like many other songwriters have written about love because it’s the easiest inspiration, but I like to keep a running list of song titles/ ideas and it mainly consist of words and phrases I’ve heard or it’s sometimes just subject matter I think up and try to write about. I find myself inspired by so many things these days, movies,
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I really like what band and artist like Animal Collective, Bjork, Dead Grips and others in that vein have been doing for music today. Obviously some very great old music I would name if we’re just talking contemporary artists.
All time favorite record?
That’s a hard one, when you say that I wanna refer to what I own in my own personally collection but I have favorites I don’t own. In my collection my favorite is probably any record that has been signed. I’ve got a signed Animal Collective and Yeah Yeah Yeahs record in my collection.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
2 Seater I like to think of it as a sorta coming of age story. It’s songs I wrote while coming into my own. Some of these songs were written over the course of 6-7 years and that feels like it covers a got part of development.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I just wanted to try something different with what we’re doing and not try to repeat the past. I like the idea of a band that embraces change and moves forward and progresses in someway
What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks?
Don’t think about it! lol I’ll just take a break and try not to force it. Creativity won’t come to me under stress so I like to distract myself with other hobbies, I’ll cook, skate, play a game, watch a youtube video etc
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’d hope to be living comfortably off my musical endeavours and hopefully be able to continue making music and be something of a positive influence in the lives of the people I meet or who like the music.
I would like to be able to branch out with other ideas and interests I have such as art, fashion, skating…
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
I just like to look nice and I like trying different things. I try to have fun with whatever I’m wearing. I’m always after unique pieces. If you look good you feel good.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
The time off was the most daunting part, 7 years is a lot of time to be away for. Trying to find your way back into it all is the most precarious part.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Many sagacious friend and folk have said some very great things but I feel like I’m not really sure yet what the best advice I’ve personally gotten is but heard of other great things from elsewhere. Kinda basic but “Believe in yourself and trust your instinct
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Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment
scene?
I think because people have been so open to so much more music/concepts lately its hard to tell what will hit next. Skating got so popular over this last year that bruno mars and anderson paak have a song about it. Who knows what’s next.
