Future Loves Past

"The EP is magnificent but it only ups the ante and anticipation for the entire Our Solar System album" - Mitchell Hillman

See Link. - JAVA Magazine

Around midnight on a recent Saturday, Jack Maverik gets a text message from a friend. A few minutes later, he gets another one. Then another. While getting three texts in a row is not remarkable for Maverik, the general manager of the new Long Wong's in Tempe, the reason is. All three messages are about a band on stage, and all three are from people who want to know who these guys are, since they seemingly came from out of nowhere.

"It was unique," Maverik says. "I have been [doing] shows in the Valley for over six years, and I see about 15 acts a week, easily, and never have I gotten quite the reaction I do when they play."

One text even goes so far as to call the band the sender's "new favorite."

This band is new. Really new. So new that they have no recorded music and are still looking for a permanent keyboardist. And, oh, yeah, they don't really have a name yet. But they've quickly established themselves as a favorite at the venue, which might, in turn, establish itself as the rightful successor to the legendary Mill Avenue club of the same name that birthed bands like Gin Blossoms.

Not that anyone wants to talk about that stuff. Maybe it's scenester politicking — people involved with the old venue are a little touchy about the new venue — but the people who run the new Long Wong's don't want to be compared to the old Long Wong's, Maverik says.

"You can't try to repeat it. You can't actively go after it," he says. "It was a time and a place. I only really give a shit if people have fun here."

Still, it's not ridiculous to ask: Does the new Long Wong's on Apache Boulevard have any chance of becoming an institution like the old Long Wong's? It's an uphill battle, sure, but if that's going to happen anytime soon, it will be because bands like this — good bands — win a loyal audience that shows up to watch them play regularly.

But, first, a name.

"We're pretty set on Future Loves Past," vocalist and auxiliary percussionist Sarah Hibner says. "We'll probably stick with it."

This band changes names like most people change socks, and it's become a running joke with members and their new fans. Among their names: Giant Crystal Scorpion, Cuteness (for about 45 minutes), Good Luck Past, and most recently, Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes, a name that fans have taken a liking to, even defiantly singing the famous children's song to them on stage when they call themselves anything else. During one of their performances, the band called themselves Mike's White Shoes, after guitarist Mike Anderson's footwear that evening.

For now, though, they seem to have taken a shine to Future Loves Past, which is a lyric from a song written by bassist Eric Palmer. Hibner, particularly, likes the name because of the openness and sense of fluidity it evokes. She says if they need to add members, they can; if they want to change their style, they can; and if they want to experiment with different sounds, they can. The name Future Loves Past is "open-ended. It reflects on the nature of the band and trying to embrace and remain open to everything, not just music."

When Future Loves Past plays, their sound is almost all-encompassing. Think neo-soul meets '70s rock, with a nod to current indie trends from bands like Yeasayer and Local Natives. It borrows lovingly from all genres and blends them together in a straightforward way that's easy to relate to and digest.

The band came together after Palmer and guitar player/vocalist Tristan DeDe had disintegrated another band of theirs, Indias, and decided to start something new. Maverik needed to fill a performance slot one night and had worked with Indias in the past, so he asked them to play.

"When I took over at Long Wong's, I booked Indias and they just killed it," he says. "They packed the place, played great, were cool dudes to hang out with. One day I had a show opening and I needed a band. I called Eric Palmer, but Indias' drummer was in China for work. So he said 'I'm throwing together this side project. We'll play. It'll be awesome.' I figured any band thrown together in one week was probably going to be pretty awful, so I put them on late that night and hoped for the best."

And much to Maverik's surprise, the texts started rolling in.

Palmer attributes their instant positive reception to the fact that their music makes a nice soundtrack to a night at the bar: upbeat, easily interpreted, fun.

"We have a huge mix of songs to pull from that we've written in the past," DeDe, the singer, says. "Eric and I have been playing for three years together, and [with Future Loves Past] we have the right mix of people."

The band does seem to have a communal approach to their music, with members pulling double duty on instruments and vocals. That spirit of relaxed, open collaboration is what Long Wong's, which has been open for about seven months, is hoping to build a scene around. One aspect of the old Long Wong's that the new Long Wong's wants to have is a reputation for nurturing the bands that played there, says Maverik.

That's why a band like Future Loves Past is a perfect poster child for the place.

"We want to help bands out with food, drinks, jobs, and just a place to hang out. That's the only thing I took from (the old Long Wong's)," Maverik says.

Palmer, the FLP bassist who actually does work in the kitchen at Long Wong's, concurs.

"It's not part of a 'scene' that you would see at other places. You can come here and not be judged," he says, while sipping a whiskey sour on the bar's patio. "It's not pretentious; people of all types come here."

"I always know I'll see a familiar face when I go to Wong's. If you go into that place with open arms, you'll make friends and have a great time," DeDe says. "We're proud to be a part of what's going on there."

Aside from striving to be a place where artists can grow and find a home, Maverik is forgoingsome parts of the old Long Wong's business model. He's trying to pull a few pages out of the playbook used by Tempe's Yucca Tap Room, which has music every night and never charges a cover.

"It seems counterintuitive to charge a cover when you're a new band," Hibner says.

Palmer agrees: "It's like begging your friends for money."

So far, so good. The synergy between the band and the venue was on display late last month, when the band played a late-night weekend show. They took the stage in front of a youngish crowd at nearly 1 a.m. and played until after last call.

Maverik's hype isn't an oversell: The audience was rapt. People crowded the area in front of the stage to watch and dance, and one of the bartenders sang along to the songs.

The night unfolded like a scene from the Tempe scene's past: Maverik bought the band several rounds and the band took shots between songs. There's a palpable connection between the bar, the band, and the crowd.

Nights like these breed loyalty, camaraderie, a scene. Just ask the band.

"The regulars know us, the people in other bands know us, and even if we were offered twice as much money to play somewhere else, we'd still play at Long Wong's," Palmer says.

That's a start, anyway. - Phoenix New Times

Local rock outfit Kinch got a lot attention from their three January residencies in LA, San Diego and Scottsdale. Now the newish Long Wong's at the Firehouse in Tempe is running with the idea.

Technically, the promo is called by the more modest-sounding title, "Featured Band of the Month," but it's the same idea. One band headlines a month's worth of Fridays, starting two weeks ago with Loveblisters singer Rob Kroehler's new project Ladylike. There are a variety of bands playing with them, including Hooves and Prague on March 25.

In April, the essential New Long Wong's band, Future Loves Past, will play every Friday. March goes to Banana Gun. June isn't set in stone, but will probably be looks like it's going to be Japhy's Descent.

Oh, and there's more...

After a year, the bar's manager Jack Maverik is putting together a compilation featuring one song from each of the bands -- maybe something they recorded, maybe something he records himself -- as a little retrospective.

"I think this is cool for a couple reasons. First, it's consistent. You know what you're getting every week and can make your choice on what to do. Second, it's a way to highlight our best bands. They get a little extra money, extra promotion, and it creates a gig that hopefully bands will WANT to play," he says.

I agree -- this is pretty cool.
Tags:
Banana Gun, Firehouse, Future Loves Past, Jack Maverik, Japhy's Descent, Kinch, Ladylike, Long Wong's - Phoenix New Times

Where does the time go? It seemed like only a few weeks ago I had seen a band called Indias that totally blew my mind at the Yucca Tap Room and shortly after that over drinks got to tell them so myself–they did mention that they would be changing their name soon. But has it really been a year since they debuted as Future Loves Past? Apparently it has been and to celebrate this occasion they had an amazing blow out show at Long Wong’s at The Firehouse on Saturday, September 10th. Joined by Dylan Pratt, HiFi Beta, The Muddy Moneys and Japhys Descent the evening was an amazing night of musical celebration for one of the best emergingbands this area has to offer. Let’s face it, it’s been a hell of a year for Future Loves Past and its been an amazing journey watching them blossom as four seasons have drifted through our lives. Over the course of the last I’ve caught probably ten shows (maybe more) and ever time I’d shake my head and say the same thing in understated astonishment: “They just keep getting better and better, everytime I see them.” Sometimes it was only slight improvement, other times, if I hadn’t seen them in a month or so, it was massive leaps in sonic triumph. I’ve seen them open for some of the best bands in town and they’ve quickly become a favorite of other local bands (many members of which were in attendance last Saturday) and I’ve seen them starting to headline and draw quite a crowd. It’s been quite a year for Future Loves Past. - Sounds Around Town

"During continual listening of All The Luscious Plants I deemed a term appropriate to what I was hearing - progressive pop. I had never thought of this term before so of course I looked it up on the Interwebs. What I read I agreed with: "the complexity of arrangements and musical structure found in [progressive rock] are combined with the catchiness, oftentimes simple melodies, and accessibility of [pop] to bring a sound distinct from both." I couldn't think of better way to describe FLP. Probably why I quoted it. Even the bands that were brought to my attention remind me, in essence, of the Past's sound. Groups like the Beach Boys and the Moody Blues, the Dirty Projectors and the Alan Parsons Project, Supertramp and Super Furry Animals."

See Link. - YabYum Music and Arts

"The one year anniversary of Future Loves Past’s Solar System Show was quite the eclectic musical night for local music lovers. With so many wonderful groups performing in one night at Crescent Ballroom who is to say which set was the best? Well, we definitely felt Future Loves Past Set was nothing short of spectacular."

See link. - AZMUSICMATTERS

Our Solar System

Fans of Future Loves Past might remember Our Solar System from the preview the band offered concert-goers last December. In prelude to the recording of Our Solar System, the newest project from local rockers turned Los Angeles residents, the band performed the album in its entirety for fans at Crescent Ballroom. Now, at long last, we can finally get our hands on the official EP from Future Loves Past, released on cassette tape from Rubber Brother Records (digital download included) with a hefty 7 tracks of previously unreleased material. The effervescent space pop you've come to know and love from the band's previous albums like All the Luscious Plants comes rushing out of the speakers with the push of the play button. Negative moods dissolve as you float through the solar system. Get your own copy of Our Solar System on tape here. - Yab Yum

See Link - Java Magazine

For the second year in a row, the Rogue will be throwing a celebration and homage to one of the greatest, if not the greatest, pop band of all time, The Beatles. For anyone, like me, that missed last years show, you’ve been living in regret since the videos of the evening showed up (for instance Sun Ghost’s version of “Don’t Let Me Down” above) and some bands leaked nearly entire albums of their performances (if you haven’t heard The Vanjeatles Live at The Rogue, you are missing out on something). This year is going to beat last year into the ground with the lineup alone. Even now the details are still being worked out, but at this point Sun Ghost, Japhy’s Descent, 88MPH, Future Loves Past and The Vanjacks are slated to take the stage. Sun Ghost will be playing selections from Abbey Road, Japhy’s Descent will be taking on songs from Magical Mystery Tour, 88MPH will be performing all of Revolver, that’s right, all of Revolver, The Vanjacks will be taking on selections from The White Album and Future Loves Past will be taking on Rubber Soul! This night is going to be epic! Surprisingly, no one is owning up to Let It Be or Sgt. Pepper, but maybe someone will grab those slots in the nick of time. Plan to get their early and stay late. This a night just for fun and great music celebrating a band that probably contributed to your life in one positive way or another. November 4th all the action takes place at the Rogue, be there! - Java Magazine

"When Paste made its way west for a few dates on our Aloft tour, we had the distinct pleasure of catching a set from Tempe, Ariz. band Future Loves Past. They had the whole room dancing, and after the set we got to chat with the band a bit about their creative endeavors on and off-stage, including a number of the members’ talents in graphic design and visual art.

Now, the band has released a video that lends an artful view to their catchy, danceable single “Grow Up Tall.” The video builds on the concept of clouds, and to capture that look and feel the band photocopied images of clouds taken by Bill Goodman and S. Cole Kiburz and combined those images with illustrations by Eric Palmer. The video was then animated and edited together by Tristan DeDe”. - Paste Magazine

By Dacey Orr
April 3, 2014 | 2:00pm

One of the bands we fell in love with on our 20-date Live at Aloft tour last year was Arizona’s Future Loves Past, a group with a big sound and a collaborative spirit that involves them in a number of artistic pursuits in their hometown of Tempe. Recording these latest tunes with producer Bob Hoag (The Format, The Ataris, Dear and the Headlights) in Mesa, Ariz. at Flying Blanket Recordings, the band continues to expand their fanbase beyond the Arizona borders. Their latest project, Our Solar System EP, is set for release on April 9, and serves as a preview for a larger full-length yet to come, a solar system concept album.

In anticipation of the release, Future Loves Past has premiered the first single, “Luna.” Listen to the track in the player above, and look out for Our Solar System EP, out next week. - Paste Magazine

"...check out the album’s latest single, “Pretty Things”. While without the band’s groovier, more psychedelic qualities, it’s a straightforward pop-rock number that glows with a translucent haze. The march of funky bass and steady guitar sweep fluidly into the chorus, a mighty deluge of warm harmonies and shimmery organ. And while the song’s primary lyrical output focuses on repetition of a harsh truth (“all the pretty things around you can only take you so far away”), the music itself proves that truly pretty things can, indeed, be profoundly transitive."
I arrived right before their set last Saturday and had time to help friends and fans bring in over a hundred balloons as well as various treats, party favors and get the feel of an adoring crowd that was happy to be celebrating a beloved birthday. Everyone was primed and smiling and though the set was only nine songs long and without an encore they once again blew everyone’s mind wide open as they’ve been doing, very nearly weekly for the last year at every decent venue in town. Future Loves Past somehow combines indie rock, psychedelia, Americana, outright folk music, country embellishments, a touch of British Invasion and hints of 1970s classic rock with flourishes of 80s synth work–that description may seem overwhelming, but the aural amazement at their shows can’t be denied in any capacity. I’m continually surprised by the influences they incorporate into their sound and around each new corner it seems they have another surprise in store–and sometimes that’s just watching or listening to a song of theirs evolve over time. For instance if you compare the sound of “I’m Free” on their Live @ Rogue Bar EP to how it sounds now, it’s fascinating to hear something that started with a thin Carribean feel to the massive Funk number that it is now. Always growing.

The set on their one year anniversary opened with the crowd pleasing fan favorite “Earth” which has to be maybe the best song laden with a semi-hippy aesthetic written in over twenty years. As a fan of short songs, this is one fo the few tunes I would be happy to hear go on and on for an excessive amount of time–it’s definitely one to get the crowd roaring and into the spirit of things and once more it’s another number that has become something amazing to hear grow and transform across the last twelve months. When “I’m Free” was launched in all its funk drenched soulful splendor, the gigantic beach balls were released, balloons were unleashed and all modesty was abandoned by the crowd. What followed next was something I hadn’t heard before. Their cover of Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” was impeccable–and this is saying a lot, mostly because Meddle is my favorite Floyd album, but this was dreamy, amazing and I hate to say it, maybe even better than the original, the crowd went even higher into the clouds at this point…if they weren’t already there.

It seemed to me that the back to back placement of “Mountain” and “A Few Kind Words” was perfectly placed in the center of the set in a one two punch of country drenched Americana. Don’t mistake this to be music without a groove, think about what Gram Parsons or Neil Young or even Ryan Adams does with that kind of sound. It was amazing and its amazing to watch and listen as they incorporate this sound into something so fresh, without irony and maintain an utterly cool vibe, because their sound is authentic out of sheer love for the music and performing it in front of a crowd that totally digs it. “Marvo” marked a return to trippiness, with Carribean rhythms and amazing keyboard work in tow, then “Outsiders” followed with heavenly ascending and amazing harmonies, by this time the crowd was ecstatic and nothing beyond the walls of Long Wongs even mattered–in truth for all concerned there that night, nothing did.

“Big Cities” is a song where Future Loves Past gets to rock out and I can tell that much from how blurry my notes became and how much I was dancing with a beer in hand. At this point, I must admit, I had somewhat abandoned strict journalistic law (well, I abandoned that a long time ago) and indulged in being “pure music fan.” The hypnotic groove of “Black Eyes” kept everyone glued to the dance floor–well, alright, their eyes and ears were glued to the stage, their feet were a blur and it is clear that they finished on a very similar note to which the set began with an instant hit. “Earth” is clearly one of their should be “hits/single” and “Black Eyes” is quick in its wake. It’s one of the most memorable and rewarding songs in their set. The only surprise that evening was that it was the last song on the set and there was no encore. We all wanted more, but we know we had gotten everything we needed for now and encore or no, we all walked away satisfied with what had just happened. It was an amazing night and an amazing set–tight and right, they blew our collective minds and the roof off the hosue at once.

Future Loves Past, like a few other bands of note in this town, are a complete anachronism. It occurred to me after the show that should there ever be a method to time travel you could pretty much drop this band into 1972 or even 1992 and watch the flurry of success that follows as they change history. All I can hope is that when we drop them into 2012 that exact phenomena occurs and I’ve heard tell that recordings are coming, amazing studio efforts that will give us something to enjoy during the time between their stellar stage shows, between the times we can’t be with them live. They are the definition of watching potential become kinetic and it’s a fantastic metamorphosis to be fascinated by.
If you haven’t seen them yet, perhaps you should do yourself a favor and drop by Long Wong’s tonight, rumor is they’ll be dropping some new songs around midnight, making life right and adding some killer tunes to an already amazing Friday night with the likes of North Dakota, Sareena Dominguez and Born Loser Hangers On. The festivities begin at 9pm…come out and enjoy some local love and love every not of it. If you can’t and perhaps for some strange reason you haven’t heard the music of Future Loves Past, check out the three free tracks from the online ep Live @ The Rogue Bar HERE. - Consequence Of Sound