Coastal Club is an Indie Rock band with a hint of surf music based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. The band consists of four members: Alex Hirlinger on Guitar and Vocals, Alex Mobley on Guitar, Avery Benter on Bass and Vocals, and David McGuire on the Drums. Coastal Club has released one EP (Coastal Club) along with a single and recently they have dropped a live version of their EP. Though they only have a few songs out, they have played multiple small venues in Cincinnati and Dayton Ohio along with doing a live radio broadcast. When I messaged the band via Instagram, asking if they would like to do an interview with me for my school paper, they were excited and very open to the idea.

When thinking over what questions I wanted to ask, I wondered why these four young men wanted to start a band. They told me that “Like many musicians, the thing that inspired us to start a band was also the same thing that originally inspired us to pick up our instruments - we were intentional and passionate music listeners. We listened to some of our favorite artists and we were moved so deeply that it inspired us to pick up instruments and devote hundreds of hours into developing our crafts. We did this with the hopes of one day making music that inspired others in the same way that some of our favorite artists inspired us.”

When listening to their music you can truly tell how much time and dedication they put into each piece of work and that they truly do love being around music all the time. Along with being curious about why they wanted to start a band together, I wondered why the name ‘Coastal Club’ since the band is not located near the coastline. The band stated that they “were very inspired by the surf music from the 60’s and we hoped to blend this sound with modern pop and indie sounds,” along with the fact that some of their fondest memories were spent at the coast. They also want to spread the “sense of joy, nostalgia, and wonder that is associated with trips to the coast,” within their music. This along with the description of a ‘hint of surf music’ led me to ask is the music they create is inspired by the band name to which they replied, “Absolutely! While we do not believe that we are strictly a “surf-rock” band, we do believe that our music has elements of indie surf-rock blended with modern pop. Our name is very closely related to the music that we create as well as anything that we produce as a band.”

Looking through the band's social media and web page one can easily be concluded that they all are close with one another. The band stated that “We all were mutual friends throughout college although it wasn’t until the last three years or so that we really grew close and started creating music together. Mobes and Alex originally created a band called “Local Waves” with a different drummer. When Local Waves first started, our bass was tracked from the computer - we named our very proficient computer bass player Steve. Steve had a very rough night, and after Avery noticed that Steve was not doing well, he approached Mobes and myself and offered to play bass. We took up Avery on his offer and shortly after, our old drummer moved away for a new job, so we decided to add David as the final piece in the band. Through all of this change, we truly enjoy being around one another and love challenging each other's music abilities.” Through all of this switching of band members and be close friends, one would think that they would argue about things through the music making progress. That is not the case though; they have never been in heated arguments and they only truly fight about where to go and eat after a show (which they normally settle on Tacos).

Though Cincinnati is not really a ‘small town’, it is one of the smaller cities in Ohio and because of this, I wondered what it felt like being a small town band. Coastal Club responded “There is a little bit of Cincinnati pride in all of us and we love the local music scene here in our city. There are so many great bands and people that come out to the shows around here that just make it feel like home. It is fun hearing from other people around different areas that have discovered us though as well! We just feel very honored to be able to play music we love and that people enjoy listening.” Since they are an unknown band to many, it is a lot easier for them to meet their fans, which is one of their favorite things in the world todo along with “meeting people in different cities and connecting with people in areas away from home.” They said that one of the most memorable meetings so far had been “was when we got post-show burgers and milkshakes in Chicago after a SoFar show with some now, very dear friends/fans.”

It may come as a shocker listening to Coastal Clubs music, but they are not signed with any label, meaning they are self-produced. They did say that if they could choose any label to be with, they would choose Capitol Records since “some of our favorite artists have released music through Capitol Records.” Speaking of records, I asked when their fans would see a full-length CD from the band. They informed me that they are focusing on single and double releases right now, and that with the way people listen to music nowadays “it is easier to digest a few songs here and there instead of an entire album.” But do not worry, they do look at releasing a full album soon!

One way to catch people's attention is having music videos, which is something that Coastal Club can check off on a list since last November they released their first music video for their song ‘Make It By’. The band commented that making the video was “an absolute blast! It was a pleasure working with both Seth Halter and Ben Nelson, as they are both really incredible guys. We started off the day with some tacos and margaritas, so you’re bound to have a good time after that. They really made it an easy and fun experience for all of us. It was also fun incorporating another local band “Mooonbeau” and spending the day with them. And who doesn’t like a disco ball?” On the note of songs, I wondered how the songwriting process worked, is it just one person writing everything or is it a group collaboration? The band stated that everyone brings their own parts to the songs while in the writing stage and that “Often times we will begin jamming out an idea or melody and we each add our own parts until it starts to feel great. We will spend time playing through our ideas until it really starts to click together. Alex tends to write all of the lyrical goodness and stories that we learn to love. We are a very collaborative band and strive to work together to create the best we can.” Since everyone brings their own twist to the music I wondered whether or not that brought up arguments about how the songs and beats were written. To my surprise, they informed me that, “We might have some very small disagreements about parts every once and awhile, but for the most part, we are all very supportive and trusting of each other’s parts. If there are any disagreements, we tend to resolve them very quickly and trust that everyone in the band honestly has the best intentions for the sound.”

As the interview drew to a close I asked what kind of advice they would give someone trying to start out a band or a solo career. They suggested to just jump right in, the best way to start is “simply to start doing it” and that “We all have to learn and grow which takes time and energy and this only develops with experiences.” they also added that “even now looking back to past songs we are able to identify where we have grown and improved. Life is a long story that we get to write for ourselves.” Coastal Club wants all of their fans and listeners to know that they are looking at real singing a series or doubles in late spring or early summer and to be on the lookout for it since they would “love for you to listen along to new music in the future.”

To get updates and notifications for new music and events check out their Instagram and Twitter at @wearecoastalclub along with Spotify for music. If you love to music so much and want to buy a copy of the CD or any other Merch go to their website https://wearecoastalclub.com/.