Pop-Culturalist.com

It’s been a whirlwind ride for sibling trio We Three. In two short years, they’ve dropped their self-titled debut album, headlined their first nationwide tour, performed across the pond, and released one of the most honest and raw EPs you’ll hear anywhere: We’re All Messed up – but It’s Ok. Each experience and body of work has been a stepping-stone for the band, and their latest release, Dear Paranoia, Sincerely, Me, is no different. Pop Culturalist caught up with Bethany, Joshua, and Manuel to chat about the inspiration behind Dear Paranoia, Sincerely, Me and their impressive careers.

PC: What was the inspiration behind Dear Paranoia, Sincerely, Me.
Manuel: We hadn’t decided on a theme while we were writing the music. While I was writing the music, it was getting the experiences, feelings, and emotions out. I hate saying the phrase, but music is my therapy, and in certain ways, it is for every musician.

[It was] at the end, when we were trying to tie everything together.

Bethany: It was just a sit-down conversation.

Manuel: I was trying to attach the strings between the songs and figure out what this theme and everything is about. “Paranoia” was brought up because lately, in the past year or two, I’ve been really into personality tests and Enneagrams and figuring out what my personality is. I felt like I was never totally matching up with one of them. I was trying to process what that meant and what that could be. I finally was able to figure out that I felt like I had a lot to learn. I think everyone does. We have a lot of learned traits from our childhood and experiences that I think do alter our true personality and us being our true normal. I think it’s so important to figure out what your normal is and what you believe and what you keep and don’t keep from your childhood. That’s really what this album is about. It’s about dealing with trauma from your childhood in your adult years.

PC: The last time we spoke, you stated as a band, each new body of work builds upon the previous one. What was the biggest takeaway from We’re All Messed up – but It’s Ok that you applied to Dear Paranoia?
Manuel: That’s a good question.

Bethany: For me, We’re All Messed up – but It’s Ok was one of the scarier projects that we put out because it was the most intense. I was nervous to see how people would respond. Then when we saw the response, it gave us the boost to feel like we could put out really raw stuff. For me, it made the fear go away.

Manuel: There are a lot of people who want real, honest stuff. A lot of people connected with the deepest, hardest songs on the record. Also, each album is a stepping-stone. There’s a lot of production and sound in the first album. It’s a big record. There are a lot of instruments, and there’s a lot of stuff taking up a lot of space. I felt like We’re All Messed up – but It’s Ok pinpointed those things. There was less stuff, but they were in the perfect spot. This next record takes that further. There’s less stuff in it, but I think it feels bigger because each instrument is in the exact right place. It’s all meant to be exactly where it’s supposed to be, which is a lot more tedious to go through and figure out the exact instrument. But when you get it, it’s totally worth it.

Joshua: I agree.

PC: Of all the music you’ve released, if you had to choose one song that best encompasses the band, what would it be and why?
Manuel: That’s a good question.

Joshua: It’ll be different for each of us.

Manuel: Definitely.

Bethany: On the new record, I think it’ll be hard until we play it live for people. On the first record, I would say “Timeless.” That song stuck for a long time, and it’s one that we still play live.

Manuel: “Sweater Weather” is another.

Bethany: “Machine” has also stood the test of time.

Manuel: I would say “Timeless” and “Machine.” If you listen to those two, you’ll know our sound.

PC: One of the many reasons why we love this band is because you don’t conform to the music industry. As music has shifted towards a singles market, you all continue to release larger bodies of work, each with a message and theme behind it. How did you find that individuality as a group?
Bethany: I’m super intrigued that this has evolved this way because we aren’t intentionally trying to do the opposite of what is popular. I think what I’m realizing for myself is I’m wanting to do what I like to see. Personally, I don’t love single dropping after single. It’s not my favorite. When artists put out a body of work and half or more of the songs have dropped, I don’t get as excited for the body of work. I don’t know how it’s evolved that way. We’ve loved records.

Joshua: You’re right, Bethany. We grew up listening to records. So we’re definitely inspired in that way. We lean that way.

PC: You’re also one of the hardest-working bands in the business, constantly touring and producing new music. Who or what’s instilled that work ethic in you all? Do you guys ever take any time off?
Bethany: [laughs] Thanks, man.

Joshua: It doesn’t ever feel like work.

Manuel: We’ve had really good models.

Bethany: Insanely hard-working people.

Manuel: Everywhere we looked, we had great role models. If you want something, you have to go get it.

Bethany: That’s a huge thing in the music industry. We realized as a group that if we want something done, we need to figure out and learn how to do it ourselves, especially on this new album. Manuel started doing so much of the production.

PC: If you guys had to choose one song off the new album that you’re really excited for fans to hear, which would it be?
Manuel: Probably the intros and outros.

Bethany: Oh my gosh.

Manuel: It’s more like a piece of art, so there’s a lot of intros to songs. I’m excited for people to hear that because that’s a side of us that they haven’t heard yet.

Bethany: When the record starts, it’s like the story starts. When it ends, the story ends. I can’t wait for people to experience that part of it. I also love the song “Overdose” on the record because it was one of the last ones we finished.

Manuel: It almost didn’t make the record.

Bethany: It wasn’t coming together.

Manuel: It had to be torn down completely. It was one of those that was put together and then sounded terrible. We started over completely and built it from the ground up. That’s when it clicked and it worked. It’s one of my favorites.

PC: If the COVID-19 situation gets under control, what does the rest of 2020 look like?
Manuel: We’re hoping to get back to Europe. Our time got cut short.

Bethany: That’s where we would go back first.

Manuel: That’s where we would start. We had to cancel a bunch of shows. We owe that to a bunch of our European fans.

Bethany: We’re going to try to be very creative with any virtual online concert stuff that we can do. We’re taking it one day at a time.

PC: What’s one thing that you all know now, as a band, that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Manuel: Not everyone is going to like you.

Bethany: Enjoy the process because there’s not ever going to be an actual destination.

Joshua: Keep pinching yourself.

PC: You did a Reddit AMA last week, and you can tell that you all have a deep connection with your fans. What’s one thing that they would be surprised to learn about each of you?
Bethany: That’s a great question. Joshua wrote a score for the Oregon Symphony when he was fifteen. It’s insane.

Joshua: A lot of people don’t know this, but I think it’s super cool. Manuel can dance like a splitting image of Michael Jackson. It’s pretty incredible.

Manuel: I could do that. I don’t know if I can anymore. I also don’t like wine.

Bethany: How did you describe wine?

Manuel: Wine is like somebody is having a conversation with someone who says a lot but isn’t really saying anything.

Bethany: You jerk. Wine is my favorite.

Joshua: She wanted to play the flute instead of the bass.

Manuel: That’s true! She was almost a flautist rather than a bassist. The band would not probably be where it is today.

Bethany: The good old jazzy route.

Joshua: Bethany was the first to play piano.

Bethany: Wait, I have one! I’ve broken more bones than Joshua or Manuel.

Joshua: Combined.

Bethany: I just would climb trees and do things and fall. [laughs]

To keep up with We Three, follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream Dear Paranoia, Sincerely, Me today.