Cinema Stare "The Things I Don't Need" Interview

We sat down with pop-punk band Cinema Stare around the release of their debut album The Things I Don’t Need. We got to chat about their background, artistry, influences, and upcoming tour with Leisure Hour.

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your debut album, The Things I Don't Need! Can you tell us more about the album and what listeners can expect from it?

First off, thanks!! This album has been sitting with us for over a year so to look back on it is a really cool encapsulation of what our band started as. It’s created from all the different emotions and lifestyles of the time. So the album is a great view into us learning how to collaborate best in our songwriting and as a band. It was lighthearted at times and challenging in others but we really grew as people. I think listeners could expect to hear a slurry of positive and burgeoning thoughts in both orchestration, melody, and lyricism. From uplifting pop beats to moody emo-punk riffs.

How did Cinema Stare come together as a band, and what has been your journey so far in the music industry?

We all met through the local scene! Some connections like Joe and Jason lead a little further back. Pasquale started writing with those two initially then I (Quinni) was asked to join after we played a show respectively as Cinema Stare and Quinn. Our newest member, Austin, was another local head that we asked to join about two to three months ago at this point. This lineup is made up of incredibly silly, talented individuals. We have had an okay time navigating the music industry, but we definitely have learned it’s a lot tougher than it seems from the outside. We have been lucky to have many friends + our local label, Static Era, to give us support, but we still do a ton of DIY work.

Your lead single "Bad" has been described as poppy, passionate, and powerful. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and the creative process behind its production?

“Bad” is definitely an energetic song of ours. One of the tracks we’ve played live since our very first show. The inspiration behind it all came from a really unnavigable time in my life. I had sort of come right off of releasing a solo EP and wasn’t really sure what my next step was. I also was going through some really tough relationships where I was learning a lot about myself and what I needed both from myself and someone who I would eventually date. So the song “Bad” touches on those thoughts in my psyche whether I noticed it at the time or not. It is very passionate and at times a lot of the songs on this upcoming album make me feel like I’m having a conversation with my younger 22 year old self.

The album was produced by the band with assistance from Chris Teti and mastered by Adam Cichocki. Can you talk about your creative process in the studio and the collaborative effort involved in bringing the album to life?

We came into the studio with practically every layer already produced. Chris Teti was definitely a guiding force, but we had the whole album planned before we entered the studio which did help for timing. I’d say working at Silver Bullet Studios is one of the most supportive environments and Teti himself is a super talented friend of ours. Getting his feedback and his attention to detail was something we were really looking for in this process. Adam Cichocki eventually mastered all the tracks that Teti recorded and mixed. Both of them made the album sound so professional and fulfilling. Really everything a band could ask for when recording and putting out an album,

Your music is influenced by acts like Jimmy Eat World, The Starting Line, Peach Pit, and The Muffs. How do these influences shape your sound, and what sets Cinema Stare apart from other pop-punk bands?

Definitely would say Jimmy Eat World and The Starling Line stand out as huge influences for our overall sound. Those classic pop punk roots of the 2000s stand to be one of the defining genres for us in our general composition. I think any band you listen to can really change the way you’re writing music from lyrics to chord changes to overall mood. The thought of our music being defined as pop-punk makes sense. I’d say we are a band who has a huge catalog of artists we are inspired by and so that is going to inherently make our sound unique. We definitely take a ton of pop inspiration equal to our punk roots. To list a few- Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, JoJo. This album has a lot of elements to very well-made pop. We think about those little decisions often- adding synth or an extra layer or doubling the vocals until they sound just right.

Your album is available for preorder on vinyl through Static Era Records. Can you share more about the decision to release it on vinyl and the significance of physical formats in today's digital age?

We definitely were set on a physical release with “The Things I Don’t Need”. Aside from merch sales being the leading form of sustainability financially for a band, we always knew we wanted to hold the vinyl in our hands. To be able to read through a lyric pamphlet was an essential part of my childhood. Knowing that people will be able to connect with our songs on a tangible level is something so pure and necessary. It’s a step away from social media and the lit up screen of streaming platforms.

You have also announced a tour with Leisure Hour. Can you tell us more about your upcoming tour and what fans can expect from your live performances?

This is Cinema Stare’s first ever full length tour! We have done weekenders but never a full sprint. To be able to share these two weeks with an amazing, talented band like Leisure Hour is something we are so fortunate for. We definitely think our sounds and our personalities are so compatible! We hope anyone who is looking for an inclusive, fun space comes out!! We just wanna laugh and perform for people who love music!! It’s really valuable to be able to interact face to face with people who care about and love what you’re doing. So we hope to create some of the best environments around for everyone wanting to come thru!!