Other Americans, an electro-alternative band comprised of members of The Architects, Latenight Callers, Radar State and Brandon Phillips and The Condition released their debut EP on June 29 via AWAL.
The cohorts first crossed paths in when a mutual friend and matchmaker introduced Brandon Phillips to vocalist Julie Berndsen “We were all looking for something new to do musically, recalls Phillips. “The way I remember it, a mutual friend (KC music producer Joel Nanos) told me that Julie was looking to start something new and I sent her a note about it. We had tacos to see if we liked each other.”

With first date jitters behind them, the duo enlisted Adam Phillips, Zachary Phillips and late keyboardist Ehren Starks, who passed away suddenly in March 2018 and began writing the material that would become the EP.
“All the basic tracking [for the EP] was done at Element Recording and was mastered by Nanos,” Phillips recalls. “Then I took it to my spot and worked and reworked it all for a year until it sounded like something none of us had heard before.”
Prior to the EP’s release, the band makes their hard fought and won live debut on June 11, 2018, at Kansas City’s Riot Room, an already sold-out performance supporting singer-songwriter Meg Myers. The band also released their video for “Make Me Afraid,” directed by Todd Norris and Mitch Brian.

Illuminated with the knowledge that the journey is as important as the destination, Phillips admits to looking forward to the period of dues-paying that their debut brings.
“I’m looking forward to all the firsts. First show. First record. First tour. Magical thinking could have me pining for a post-Grammys Maserati coke party by the sea, but if I’m all wrapped up in making that fantasy come true, I’ll miss the fun of being present for the firsts and the fifths and the tenths.”
From there the plan becomes a bit more complicated, “The ‘Plan” as I see it is to con some major label artist into taking us out as support, steal their identities on laundry day, have reconstructive surgery, then only tour in countries without U.S. extradition treaties.” Phillips jokes.
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