Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Habits

Singer-guitarist Wolf Bradley and drummer Andrew Macatrao formed The Habits after their first performance together. They knew in that moment that this was what they were meant to do. The alt-pop duo has since created melodies that are impossible to get out of your head and songs that make you want to get up and dance, all while hitting you with all the feels. This June, the pair is releasing their long-awaited self-titled EP, and Pop Culturalist got the inside scoop.

PC: How did you both discover your passion for music?
Andrew: Music was introduced to me when I was a kid. My older brothers all played instruments. I started playing drums when I was twelve and was the only drummer in the family.

Wolf: My mom was in a surf punk band in her youth and my dad is a massive music lover. They own a ballet school together and I grew up dancing to some of the most famous classical music pieces of all time. Music just spoke to me ever since I was little.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Wolf: My parents have always encouraged any crazy dream I’ve had. When I landed on music, they did and still do everything they can to help make my dream come true.

Andrew: I used to love watching DVDs of my favorite bands. It showed them on tour and recording a lot—that had a huge impact on me as a musician.

PC: How did this partnership form? What’s been the key to your success?
Andrew: We started playing together randomly at a party Wolf’s family was having. He had just gotten a guitar that day and had a drum set in his room. We wrote a song the first day and decided to start a band.

Wolf: It literally just happened. [laughs] I just got a guitar for my birthday. I wanted to show Andrew and the next thing I knew, we were practicing every weekend. The secret to our successful partnership is simple: we’re best friends and there’s nothing that we can’t talk out.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Love You”. What inspired the track?
Wolf: “Love You” is a humorous take on young, undying love. I love the concept because it’s a little ridiculous, but the sentiment is so genuine and sweet. It’s a celebration of love.

PC: It’s the first single off your new EP. What can you tease about the EP?
Andrew: The production quality of the songs is something we’re very proud of. We spent a full week in the studio working on this EP. The songs themselves are our favorite ones out of about 100 other songs we wrote.

PC: If you had to choose one song off the EP that best encompasses you both as artists, what would it be and why?
Wolf: It’s so hard to choose. It’s like choosing a favorite kid! I love “Casual”. It’s such a fun, upbeat earworm of a song. It reminds me of being in middle school. It’s so simple and probably the most in-your-face song we have. Playing it live makes me so happy because it feels like the type of song I dreamed of playing as a teenager.

Andrew: “Love You” is my current favorite. The groove in that song is cool—I like how much the song builds up and pulls back.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you all as we look ahead in 2019?
Wolf: We are playing our EP release show on June 29 at Chain Reaction which we’re so excited for. I’d love to get on tour before the end of the year. I can’t wait to see where this EP takes our band.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Andrew: A$AP Rocky

Wolf: Jessie Reyez

PC: First album you bought?
Andrew: The Killers’ Hot Fuss

Wolf: *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached

PC: First concert you attended?
Andrew: Blink-182’s No Doubt Tour

Wolf: Green Day’s The American Idiot Tour

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Andrew: Five Iron Frenzy’s Our Newest Album Ever. It has catchy melodies, cool drums, and I liked how funny the songs were. It’s an album that I listened to a lot. These guys made it sound so fun to be in a band.

Wolf: My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade! It showed me you can be emotional and loud, but still have catchy and undeniable melodies.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Andrew: The Staples Center

Wolf: Madison Square Garden

PC: A must-have on the road?
Andrew: Gum

Wolf: Headphones

To keep up with The Habits, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up their self-titled EP on iTunes or stream it on Spotify.