11/15/15, 6:13 PMJR JR discusses new album ahead of Bottleneck performance - The University Daily Kansan: Arts And Culture

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JR JR discusses new album ahead of BottleneckperformanceMadi Schulz l @Mad_Dawgg | Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2015 11:00 pm

In one phrase, Joshua Epstein describes the indie-pop-electronic band JR JR:

“Honest-to-goodness Michigan gentlemen presenting pop music for the fan of artisan craftsmanship.”

True Michigan gentlemen — Detroit to be specific — Epstein and fellow front-man Daniel Zott formedJR JR, formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., in 2009. The group dropped its new self-titled albumSept. 25 and will perform at the Bottleneck tonight.

Detroit has birthed some of the music industry’s biggest and most recognizable names (Jack White, theTemptations, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Eminem) and has served as inspiration for JR JR.Epstein's own musical influences, such as the Beatles, Notorious BIG, the Beach Boys, and TalkingHeads, have also played a role. Epstein also said he finds inspiration in other aspects of his life.

“Everyday life is the most inspiring thing. I might pick up a newspaper and see a story that we want totalk about, or maybe you’ll have a personal social experience you want to write about,” Epstein said.

Perhaps this is how Epstein wrote his favorite song off the new album, titled "Listening to Outkast." Hesaid the song “feels like a real personal moment for me in my life."

“Listening to Outkast” could be described as smooth and melodic. It begins with a more relaxed tone andlyrics but later delves into more serious lyrics asking "Are we gonna last/forever?" while also referencing"drinking too much" and "depression."

The new album also comprises 11 other songs including “Gone,” an uptempo song, that has 3 million hitson . The song is also the band's second most-played song on , just behind “James Dean”with 4 million hits.

Spotify Spotify

“James Dean,” currently Epstein’s favorite song to play live, is “a beautiful, quiet, chilled out song," hesaid.

Since forming the band in 2009, JR JR has released records and EPs and played across the country. Butfor Epstein, a favorite memory was playing at the world-famous Lollapalooza concert festival inChicago, Ill. in 2011.

“As a kid I had always thought about Lollapalooza being this huge deal, and to walk on-stage and having

11/15/15, 6:13 PMJR JR discusses new album ahead of Bottleneck performance - The University Daily Kansan: Arts And Culture

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this huge crowd [...] I felt like [it was] a moment that we kind of achieved something.”

Five years from now, Epstein says he can see JR JR still working and touring together and working invarious creative projects, but he also has a clear vision of someone in mind he would love to work with.

“I think I’d love to work with Drake. I think we could make something cool together,” Epstein said.

Tickets are currently on sale at the Bottleneck for JR JR's concert tonight.