The Brooklyn-based alternative rock quartet X Ambassadors is more than just a band, they are family -- literally. The band consists of brothers Sam (vocals) and Casey Harris (keyboardist), as well as long time friends Noah Feldshuh (guitar) and Adam Levin (drums), and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. With only two EPs out, these rockers are proving to be the real deal and will soon be known everywhere. They've also done records with The Knocks, Eminem, and Jamie N Commons. And if you are still not convinced of their hot stride, well, they are currently out touring with Imagine Dragons.
I recently had the chance to catch X Ambassadors' show at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA where they opened for Imagine Dragons. I must say that these guys know how to grab your attention, and executed a solid performance on the big stage. Later on, I caught up with super nice and down-to-earth lead singer Sam Harris to chit chat about a few things. See the details of our conversation below.
How did the name X Ambassadors come about?
You know, it took a couple of years to figure out. It's one of the hardest things you're going to do as a band, like thee hardest. It came about while we were rehearsing one day. Adam (drummer) was looking at his drum kit - he plays with drum heads made by Remo - and one of the heads had the word 'Ambassadors' on it. He's like, "Hey guys, what about the name Ambassadors?" We all liked the name Ambassadors and went with it. When we signed with Interscope, we were running into legal complications clearing the name Ambassadors, so we thought of X Ambassadors. It kind of makes sense, because were the Ambassadors, and now we are the X Ambassadors. But the whole name thing was so stressful, because we were on the road, and the label called saying we need to change our name and to do so in a short period of time. We all went into panic mode trying different things, arguing, but eventually it worked in the end.
How did you guys first get in contact with Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds to eventually then get signed with Alex Da Kid and his label on Interscope?
Dan heard us when their band was in Norfolk, Virginia, where we had a song that was pretty big on the radio. He heard an acoustic version of "Unconsolable," he really liked it and showed it to his producer, Alex Da Kid. Then Alex called our management, we met, and they were all about it. We loved their enthusiasm and both Alex's and Imagine Dragons' work, so it was a perfect fit. It all just happened so fast and over the course of a few months.
In my opinion, X Ambassadors sound (vocally and instrumentally) is very similar to Imagine Dragons. How much of an influence do they have on you guys as far as writing goes?
Not consciously. I mean, I'm not consciously influenced by anyone. I listen to everything, and I know what I like when I hear it, so there's no real method to it.
Fair enough. Well, then who are a few artists that have made an impact on your life?
We all listen to so much stuff. I grew up listening to Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, my mom is a folk singer, my dad had a huge record collections, so I listened to a lot of the greats growing up. Once I hit the teens, I started listening to the radio and loved Red Hot Chili Peppers. For a while in college, when I moved to New York, kids would talk about bands and who they were listening to, and I was almost ashamed to say who my favorite band was, which is completely stupid, because Red Hot Chili Peppers is a great band! But it was because a lot of those alternative bands from when I grew up were not cool anymore. Just because you don't know who the latest/ hottest band on Pitchfork is, then your not cool - fuck that.
Lately, I've been listening to these neo-soul guys, like this one guy Kwabs. He is out of control, and I can listen to him sing all day every day - super smooth. Hmm, what else? I love that new Sam Smith EP as well. One more dude before I forget, who we all have been listening to, and is also on our label, is Jamie N Common. This guy is so incredible. He's going to be the next Adele in my mind. He's got this voice that is just deep, gravely, soulful, and chilling. You've got to check him out.
Is there a song from the new EP that has an interesting message/story?
Oh! I think a good one to talk about would be "Unsteady." I love that song a lot and really means a lot to us. I wrote it kind of about my parents divorce, which is something that I never really felt comfortable talking about or thinking about. But with this new EP, I really wanted to write about stuff I wasn't so comfortable with, like the stuff that scared me the most. "Unsteady" wasn't about placing blame on anyone, but kids worry that their parents will be farther away from them, and the separation can be a traumatizing thing for any kid. Even if you are an adult when it happens, it can still affect you. But the song takes place from the kids perspective that he/she isn't placing blame on anyone or anything, and loves both of their parents equally and that we are all human. I think you can really feel the sense of abandonment, and being scared of being left alone with the track "Unsteady."
You guys did a track with The Knocks called "Comfortable," which I really enjoyed. The track has more of a dancey vibe being with The Knocks and all, but do you guys ever see yourselves doing more tracks with this type of vibe in the future?
Oh yeah, totally man. We did this other track with a group called Kel Jet, and the song is called "Love of a Life." Their based out of Sweden, and they make music that is very similar to The Knocks, but the song we did with them is one of my favorite things I have ever written. It's a fun and soulful track with a Whitney Houston feel to it. I love it. But yeah, I would love to do more tracks like "Comfortable" in the future, for sure.
Seems so random, but you did a track with Eminem on his new album called "Wicked Ways." How did you get linked up for that?
Yeah, it was so surreal man. I got a call from Alex Da Kid saying that he needs this hook over this track ASAP. He wouldn't even tell me what or who it is was for. I did it, laid it down, he took it and said thanks. I didn't hear from him for a week. I was freaking out and was thinking what the hell is going on. Then I get a call from Alex and he's like, "Yo, I want to play you something." So I said cool, send it over, but Alex was like, "Na na, I am going to play this for you over the phone right now." That moment when I first I heard Eminem rapping after my chorus, I was shitting my pants. It was crazy and am super happy with it.
You are currently on tour opening for Imagine Dragons. When you guys start headlining tours, who would you guys want to be the openers?
Ah man. This is tough. Like dream bands to open for us?
Sure. How about you just give me three.
Okay. James Blake. Although, I'd feel kind of bad, because I would be like, "Dude, we should be opening for you." Haha. How about this - instead of dream bands to open for us, let's do dream bands to go on tour with us?
Perfect.
James Blake, for sure. The girls from Haim are really awesome. We have a bunch of mutual friends and their music is kick-ass. Um...D'Angelo. Haha. Oh, and Kwabs!
If you were not making music, what would you be doing?
That's what this whole EP is about man, I don't know! I think I would probably have to find something else in music. That is all I know, but something in arts for sure. Maybe acting or something in theater, although the two are intertwined. I perform ever night and there are elements from acting and theater that translate to music or stage performances. But yea, I am not sure to be honest.
When can we expect a full-length?!
Soon. We've been waiting to put out a full-length for so long. You know, we have the two EPs and all of those songs will be on the full-length plus probably four or five more, which you can expect later on this year.
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