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LA based synth-pop duo TeamMate (Scott Simons and Dani Buncher) dated for ten years before splitting ways and channeling their chemistry in a different direction, ultimately becoming bandmates. It has been quite the journey for these two, however they’ve come out victorious with the fresh new track “Nothing’s Ever Over,” a celebration of their personal and musical win!
GroundSounds recently caught up with TeamMate to talk about their latest track, musical inspirations and more, check out the exclusive interview below.
For those just discovering TeamMate, can you tell us a little bit about your story-how did you guys meet and start making music?
Scott: Yes! We sort of took a very roundabout way of starting a band. First, we met in college then dated for ten years without really ever playing music together. After we broke up and I moved to LA, part of our healing process became recording and playing some music together whenever I was back east. Eventually, we realized that we had something special and started writing songs as a band. Now what we expected, but we’re super proud of where things are right now between us.
Dani: We never really played music together as a couple. Not exactly sure why, actually. It was always something we did independent of each other. After we broke up, music became a tool that brought us back together in a new way.
What made you guys decide on the moniker TeamMate?
Scott: Once we broke up, we both decided that even though we weren’t romantic partners, we’re still teammates. We’re in this together – whether that’s band or life or whatever. It seemed like the best way to describe our friendship as well as our band.
Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with “Nothing’s Ever Over?”
Scott: Yeah. It started with a track idea that I had. I had mumbled some loose melodies over it but nothing super solid. I had a basic shape in my head, especially for the chorus which I knew I wanted to be sort of falsetto and soaring melodically and the verses which we both thought we should sing together in unison. When I pitched the idea to Dani, we knew it was the first one we had to finish in this batch of songs for the new record. The song changed a little from the original demo as we each started adding our parts and live instrumentation.
What do you guys enjoy most about Los Angeles?
Scott: My favorite thing is the community of creative people. LA gets a bad rap sometimes as everyone out here just trying to get famous. But, my closest friends are all so inspiring because they have so much drive and talent to try to make things work for them out here. So, I guess my favorite thing is that I’m constantly inspired to do better and more work by the people around me.
Dani: I like that I can celebrate my December birthday outside, in a t-shirt, and I don’t have to wait 20 minutes for my windshield to defrost before driving.
What is it about catchy synth-driven pop tracks that attract you guys to this sound?
Scott: Well, we both love the 80’s. Keyboards were so prevalent in music when I was growing up. I gravitated towards artists like Billy Joel and Elton John of course but I was also really into New Wave/synth driven stuff like The Cars and Howard Jones and Tears For Fears.
Dani: Early 90’s R&B was definitely a big influence on me. I listened to a lot of pop radio growing up and synths were always a thread throughout every genre I was listening to at the time. I loved that.
Can you tell us about working on your debut album, how is it coming along, is there a release date yet?
Scott: I’m not sure on exact release date but it’s coming out soon! All the songs are done, recorded, mixed and mastered. We just finished a video and we’re working on our live show with all of this new material.
What bands/musicians are you guys currently listening to?
Scott: My iPhone has a steady rotation of podcasts and Spotify playlists. Lately, I’ve been into a lot of new hip hop. It’s great to run to. I also have been going back and listening to some older stuff I never really dove into before like all of Paul McCartney’s solo records (right now I’m on “Ram”). And it’s not really music, but a great podcast about songwriting is the Soda Jerker podcast. Check it out! So insightful with amazing guests.
Dani: I’m really into “Terrible Thrills, Vol. 2” by Bleachers. It’s a re-recorded version their “Strange Desire” album with all female voices. Loved the original release so it’s a real treat to hear the songs performed by some of my favorite artists.
Once your debut album drops, whats next for TeamMate? What can fans look forward to?
Scott: Hopefully, people will come see us and hear these new songs live!
Dani: Scott, you gotta be a little more bossy. Come see us live! It’s gonna be great.
