Brooklyn-based indie rock band Best Breakfast Drops their third studio album Panacea.
Panacea was recorded in the band’s home studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Originally in a folder titled, ‘DRIVE BOPS,’ the album was written and recorded with the intent to resonate with the listener. “‘Panacea’ refers to a ‘cure all,‘” explained Majest. “...And that’s an ongoing theme in the album. Love and lust and negotiating between the two. It has songs for all of the seasons and the feelings that they bring out.“
“Never Been Away” is the eighth release from the album following “Steer Clear,” “Picking Up,” “Needed You,” “Look Around,” “Take Your Chances,” “Grace Knows,” and “Haircut.” These releases, like many other tracks in Panacea, are reflections of various vulnerable moments: from staying in relationships that are fizzling out, to coping with the inevitable anxiety society standards give, or meeting somebody for the first time. “My motivations for playing are pragmatic. Music continues to give me back what I put into it, so as long as that’s there and I believe I can get better, I’ll keep going.“
What’s your story as an artist?
Well, the simple answer is I’m not an artist. Yes, that’s really how I think about it. But I do have a story. I happened to have the desire to pick up the guitar when I was in college because I was drawn to people who could play. And then I happened to become serious about learning how to make the guitar sound how I wanted it to (given my capacity) and mixing it with what I could do with my voice, and that led to making songs. But I think once you label yourself, it’s dangerous, because you can start to coast once you feel like the label entitles you to something. For me, I have to earn whatever “name” I decide to apply to whatever it is I’m doing each time I pick up the instrument – whether I’m playing solo in my room or out in front of people. So, yea, my story is really the story of developing a habit, a way to pass the time alone, and making sounds that appeal to me.
What inspired Panacea?
Panacea was inspired by the pandemic and dreams of a high-speed cross country roadtrip. I like to drive fast. I’m from LA, but I’ve been living in New York City for the last 16 years, so I don’t get to drive, really. So, yea, that was it. Wanting to put out sounds for the road and for the heart and I think we’ve done that.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
Most of my stories are stream-of-consciousness. I come up with lyrics and melody at the same time, which is nice. There’s a song on the record, “Haircut”, that was inspired by finally deciding to hop over to see Ali (who cuts my hair – she is amazing and hopefully reading this) for my first chop since March of 2020 when we all went into lockdown. “Picking Up” came out of meeting a stranger and finding we clicked and the pleasant surprise that that was. My inspiration is super random. I don’t question it. If I like what I’m hearing, I’ll see it through.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the album?
On a generally fun/funny note about recording Panacea, we were eating. so. much. food. Like bears in hibernation, but with food. We’d order doordash from the same places over and over so we could focus on the music, but we were such good customers that these places started sending along notes with our food asking that we show our faces in person! They’d write big hearts on the bag that said “We love you, Ben. Come say hi,” and it became this running gag until covid restrictions calmed down and we went on “tour” around Williamsburg saying hi to all the restaurants we’d been ordering from. That was special.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
I’m a “listen-to-a-song-on-repeat” person. So it’s songs that shape me more than albums. But The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is definitely a record that’s made its imprint. A lot of what I write comes out first as folk and then gets translated to the contemporary universe.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
This might sound sappy but I genuinely look up to the guys who make up Best Breakfast with me. Ian Romer, who plays bass and produces, has an amazing self-titled solo project as well as another project called PicoRomanesque. The scope of what he does is super impressive and I get to see it on display when we work. Chris Parker, who plays lead on our record, is another one. On top of being an incredibly talented instrumentalist, composer, guide, he’s a work horse – his commitment to his craft is second to none and it’s what inspires me to put in the time (we’ve been roommates for the last year or so). Poy Aldemir, our drummer, also has a cool electro-forward side project called Glitchcake. And he’s always inspiring me to incorporate different rhythmic ideas in my songwriting. So, yea, it’s hard to look up to a band or artist, when all I have to do is look around me. I’ve surrounded myself with musicians I look up to and that’s why the album has gotten to where it is.
Any future projects?
We have another recording on the docket for a 2022 release. Shhhh. 🙂
Top 3 dream collaborations?
Daniel Rossen, Anderson Paak, Robin Pecknold
What does music mean to you?
Music reminds me that what we know, what we’re capable of, the people who matter to us – they’re all fleeting. So we have to work with them and on them every single day if we want to keep them in our lives.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Lately, I’ve been shouting from the rafters that we’re “indie-rock-pop-folk –in that order!”, and it fits.
