The Summer Set have been insanely busy this year with a tour and a new album, but lead singer Brian Dales was kind enough to take some time out from the Japanese leg of the tour to answer a few questions for you, our Pulse readers!

How has the band changed ~ personally and musically ~ over the years?

We grew up a lot. This album is especially personal to me because it’s really one long story about a relationship I was in the past few years. ?It’s about first love. I think we learned a lot about songwriting and we didn’t have any fears musically. It’s a much more organic record and we were a lot more willing to experiment with an eclectic amount of instruments. I think it’s the most honest and sincere record we could’ve made and I’m very proud of it.

What’s the latest band whose music you can’t get enough of?

I’m really into the new Parachute record. I think the songs are amazing. They did their record with the same producer we did, John Fields. They’re really nice dudes. I’d love to tour with them.

Which song would you consider the quintessential The Summer Set song ~ kind of the band’s anthem?

I think “When We Were Young” off of our new record is the ultimate Summer Set anthem. It’s my favorite song we’ve probably ever written.

When you’re on tour and each need some alone time, where do you go to get some peace and quiet?

I usually read or put my headphones on and listen to music if I want some alone time. I like sitting in random coffee shops near venues when I have downtime. I love my coffee.

If music hadn’t worked out, what career would you have pursued instead?

I was going to go to college on a tennis scholarship and be an English major until this band took over. I’ve just always wanted to write, whether it was songs, poems, books, etc. I love the written word. I’d ultimately love to screen write one day. Dream job.

No musician likes to be pigeon-holed into a particular genre ~ if you could make up a genre ~ any new word that you want ~ to accurately describe The Summer Set’s sound to our readers who might not be familiar with your music, what would it be?

Audiogasmic.

Ever get tired of playing a particular song over and over?

You have no idea how tired I am of playing a few specific songs from our first record. Haha.

Where did the band’s name come from?

Honestly, an Atlas. We were young, stupid, and really desperate.

Silliest disagreement the members of the band have ever gotten into?

We have two brothers who are polar opposites of each other. They get in arguments all the time about the most ridiculous things.

“Chelsea” was featured on “Dancing with the Stars” in April ~ any of you have any aspirations to show your dance moves to the world?

Absolutely. I’m a dancing machine.

Be sure to check out Everything’s Fine and find The Summer Set on these sites!

www.thesummersetband.com
www.myspace.com/thesummerset
www.facebook.com/thesummerset

Special thanks to Lisa Garelick