Music Interview: KOLARS

Need some music and more vibrancy in your life? Add more KOLARS in it. (Sorry, we had to.)

If you’re someone who likes to pretend literally everything in front of you is a drum set or you just like to rock out to infectious tunes, keep on reading. Together, Rob Kolar and Lauren Brown make up KOLARS who has been described as having upbeat disco rock and twangy rockabilly, which we fully agree. In 2017, they released their debut self-titled album and now they’re continuing riding the wave closing out their Spring tour later this month in Los Angeles.

Best you do see them live when you have a chance. It’s something you need to see. We say this even though we have yet to see them perform but it seems like a fun time considering listening to a few of their tracks. Plus, hearing that Lauren uses her whole body as a percussive instrument as she tap dances out a rhythm while playing a stand-up kit, we need to see IRL.

Speaking of Lauren, we scored a chance to chat with her in the midst of touring. Check it out below.

The Young Folks: You released your debut album last year and since you’ve had time to let that simmer in reviews, what has it been like basking in all the feedback you’ve been receiving?
Lauren Brown: [laughs] Feels good.

The Young Folks: Congrats on your National Tour. When you two go on tours, what do you aim to do differently each time heading out to a new tour, city, venue, etc? How do you keep things fresh and new every time you step up on stage?
Lauren Brown: For me, I just want to play better and better. Every show is a learning experience. I also want to surprise myself, never have any performance feel the same for me or for the audience. I think if that’s your focus, playing a show will always feel fresh even if the material isn’t fresh to you. And sometimes I add in some new tap steps for the challenge…

The Young Folks: Now that you’re in the middle of your tour, how has this one been going for you guys?
Lauren Brown: Really amazing. Shows have been going off! Mind is blown.

The Young Folks: When you’re performing in front of someone for the very first time, which is very common, what do you want your new audience to take away after they attend a show?
Lauren Brown: That’s a great question. I guess I want them to feel excited, confused, inspired and really happy.

The Young Folks: When you two come together to create new music, what does it take for you to get into the zone or get into the mindset to go out and create new music that no one has heard of yet?
Lauren Brown: A lot of the new music always starts with Rob. He has such a talent for being able to constantly create and enjoys creating new music. I take a little bit longer. He comes to me with material and then we start jamming and chatting and working together. But I am someone that can play the same song 10,000 times and will never be bored. Which, I guess is a blessing and a curse. [laughs]



The Young Folks: You’ve known each other for quite some time. What have you observed from one another that significantly changed from when you started in the very beginning?
Lauren Brown: Rob just keeps getting more handsome.

The Young Folks: Knowing that Rob composes for The Detour, does this have any impact on how you approach your new music in any way? Have you thought of music in a different way or adapted this art into your own personal work?
Lauren Brown: It’s definitely given us fewer rules. With scoring, one tends to experiment with different instrumentation to enhance the scene, and also not feel locked into a specific genre. That mentality has bled into our sound for sure. 


The Young Folks: Lastly, when you’re not on tour or making music, what can we find you two doing?

Lauren Brown: Talking to my cats while drinking an iced coffee.

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