Meet Bother None, a philadelphia based indie band that is launching their way into hearts (and playlists).

Made up of vocalist/guitarist Brandon Rosenberg, drummer Rob Bulman and bassist Victor DiBono, Bother None made their debut in the scene early last week with the release of their brand new single “Pirouette (Mi Bailarín),” an ambient bilingual ballad.

Heavily driven by it’s simplistic electric guitar and steady percussion, the track is at face value a very easy listen. It is a song you can leave on repeat and not grow weary of. But though the song in it’s essence sounds relatively standard for it’s kind, the production value and vocal styling are well beyond the years of a debut release- and that is what sets Bother None’s debut apart.

What further sets the Bother None apart is the timing of their initial release. The band’s burst onto the scene comes at a time of uncertainty for fellow musicians, them included. With shows and releases being pushed back as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry’s future seems hazy. But that has not stopped the band from having a drive to create and help bring new music to the ears of anyone who will listen.

And fortunately, for those of you wondering how this band came to be and what their upcoming plans are, we had the opportunity to chat with Bother None’s Brandon Rosenberg about the project and what’s to come in a post COVID-19 world.

Second Society Report: First, a get to know you question: How did you choose the name Bother None? Were there other names you considered?
Brandon Rosenberg: In the early stages, this project went by a few names, but it’s been Bother None for about 2 years. The name is mostly a suggestion – don’t bother anyone.

SSR: How would you describe Bother None’s music? What do you want your listeners to take away from listening to your music?
BR: Like any person that’s ever been in a band and asked that question, I really don’t know. I think it could sit comfortably on an indie rock playlist. For anyone taking the time to listen, my hope is that you take what you need from the songs. It means what it means to you.

SSR: What are your biggest influences when song writing? This could be other musicians, songs, etc.
BR: I could get sappy here……but I’ve learned more from watching Rob and Victor jam at rehearsal while I’m tuning than I have from any YouTube tutorial video. Those guys can play, and make me want to be able to keep up.

SSR: What inspired your debut track “Pirouette (Mi Balarin)” ? Why did you choose to write the song with lyrics in in two different languages?
BR: This is the song that birthed the collection of songs that this is a part of. I was living in Ship Bottom, NJ at the time, 2015. I was at a party that made its way down to the beach and a bunch of us went in for a night swim. Fate landed my foot on a broken shell that took most of big toe. After the hospital visit, I was bedridden for about three weeks – the time I was told my toe needed to ‘regrow’ (ew). Since I couldn’t shop groceries or take care of myself, I was fortunate enough to have the kindest parents in the world who took me in and cared for me. I consider this fate because these three weeks exactly aligned with my grandparent’s American Vacation.
My mother was born and raised in Mexico, where a lot of my family still live – grandparents included. As you can imagine, I don’t get to see them very often, but having three weeks of quality bonding with them was something I would sacrifice all of my toes ten times over for. My grandfather speaks english about as well as I speak Spanish, so we mostly played guitar together in bed while my grandmother made me chilaquiles, on command, whenever I wanted (gracias chula!).
It was during that time in bed I started writing this song, totally buzzing from this surreal fresh connection with my grandparents. Writing the chorus of this song in Spanish is my little nod of gratitude and a sort of time capsule to those days.

SSR: Do you have other tracks that you anticipate releasing in the upcoming weeks/months?
BR: As mentioned previously, the song belongs to a larger collection. I’m hoping to release a few of those in the coming weeks.

SSR: What usually comes first when writing- the music or the lyrics? Do you feel one element is more important than the other?
BR: I love this question and I wish I had a good answer. Lately, it’s been music first. I find a guitar part I like and I’ll play it for days in a loop. Once I have a melody that belongs, I’ll rework the guitar to better accompany it. Lyrics usually come last and are inspired by the song. As I write them, the song changes with it. Neither are inherently more important, the baton changes hands often. I spend equal time on both.

SSR: I know you are a brand new band, and that Pirouette was your debut track which has come at a time of uncertainty as the industry is navigating through COVID-19’s impact. How has COVID-19 affected the roll out of your band/music? Did you have plans that you had to re-work amidst the pandemic?
BR: It feels….off…..trying to compete for attention during this time. This virus has destroyed so many lives. People are dying and starving and jobless – it all just feels like too much. I’m fortunate enough to have a home to be quarantined in, and for that I am grateful. But some (maybe most) are not as lucky. Whatever plans lost or skewed due to the current state of the world feels like small potatoes now. We’ve spent a lot of time on these songs, getting them out into the world however we can seems to be the new priority. I’ve been seeing a lot of friends writing, painting, filming, photographing….. I wanted to be a part of that. A small sense of normalcy in the most unusual time of everyone’s lifetime.

SSR: When the pandemic is over (and it is deemed safe to re-convene in public spaces) do you plan to perform or tour?
BR: This project’s main concern is writing, recording, and releasing music that makes us feel. If the right opportunities came around, we’d love to translate these songs for a live setting – but I’m just spitting in the wind. We’re a long ways from public performances.

SSR: What artists have inspired you in the writing process? Are there any artists you look to as inspiration for your goals as a band?
BR: The Beach Boys, Cassino, Mariachi, The Vines, Nada Surf, Mason Jennings, The Presidents of the United States of America…. the list goes on.

SSR: Keeping in theme with the previous question, now our favorite question to ask- if you could create a dream tour lineup with your band as either a headliner, opener, etc. what other three bands would you want to play with?
BR: Oooo – I’m gonna repeat some names here.Bow Wow Wow, The Vines, Nada Surf, Bother None. Ask me again in a few hours, that will change.

SSR: And finally, do you have anything else you’d like to share?
SSR: If you’ve made it this far in the conversation, you can stay up to date by following @bothernone on all socials. If anyone reading this has any follow up questions from my responses, feel free to email at bothernone@gmail.com.
Thanks for having me (removes mic from lapel), I really had a nice time. Coffee’s in the back?

You can stream Bother None’s new song “Pirouette” now, and be sure to follow the band on their socials (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) to stay up to date on all things Bother None.