On a brisk November night, a friend texted me, asking me to attend a concert. I was taken aback because usually concerts require ticket money and vast preparation for a concert outfit. I was skeptical until she said, “It’s low key and a folky kind of band.” Instantly, I was intrigued.
It was a short walk to a tiny record store in Station North. The venue, intimate, was crowded yet clear enough to see a full view of Fast Car Slow Car. The lead singer- a twin, who is also in the band- is the definition of a carefree Black boy. His voice is husky. His husky voice paired with the light euphoric playing of the keys creates another world for the listener. In other words, some songs make you feel like you’re floating to another planet. Some songs make you want to just close your eyes and be absorbed by the sound. It’s a good time listening to the guys. The sound is a fusion of folk and electro- a pleasant fusion. The band is an eclectic mix of styles, personalities, and talents. The sound is soothing yet mystical to listen to and the live experience was amazing.
When watching the band live, I forgot I was in a small record store. I forgot I wasn’t in a large venue or that I was surrounded by vinyl and retro 70s funk records. The band has big energy, big talent, and a big sense of humor. Fortunately, they are humble, sensible humans that were easy to talk to.
After the show, I had the pleasure of kicking back with the band in a pool hall/bar. Here is where I kind of forgot that they were musicians and just down to earth guys. We chatted about music, flawed school systems, and traveling across state lines to pursue music.
Read our Q&A with Fast Car Slow Car below:
Tell us about the band. Who are you guys? What are your names?
Hello, we’re a new band called Fast Car Slow Car from Philadelphia. Prolly played our first show full band about 5 months ago. And as for members we got Alex Held on keys, Breshon Martzall on vocals, Gabe Rosen on drums, John DiCocco on Guitar, Keondre Martzall on keys and percussion and for the show y’all caught we had our friend Shawn Fitzgerald filling in on bass.
What does artistry and music mean to you all?
Honestly, it’s hard to know what it means to everyone in the band but at this point makin/playin music is the only thing we know lol. Hopefully that doesn’t ruin the magic. We’ve all been doin music so long.
Where does the name of your band come from?
The name of the band comes from a Tracy Chapman song.
How did you guys meet?
Good ol’ Philadelphia. Breshon and Dre are twins so that might go back a bit further.
What inspires your sound?
Movies? Skateboarding? Love? Other music less than you’d think.
What inspires you to do music and create a band?
I think we’re all chasing a check. Time to take it to the bank.
What do you want people to get from your music?
It’d be cool if our music made other people want to make music. Then we can all play producers on those records when we’re washed up.
Describe your tour experience. How long have you been touring? What was your favorite city?
Our tours are great, we’re all real good friends who like to party and skate. So it’s usually a pretty good time. We’ve only done about a week with this band but hopefully we do a longer one soon. Chicago and Baltimore are tight!
What is the best and worse thing about being in a band?
Best thing is making something your proud of! Worst thing is bein broke and hungry.
What’s your craziest tour story?
Hmm we got booed for a whole set by a small biker gang, then we went to square up but they weren’t with it. I don’t think they took us very seriously, lol. But not too many crazy tour stories yet hopefully next time!
How does being from Philly effect your music or your image?
Everyday we struggle if we should sound like Hall and Oates of Meek Mill. But we can never decide so we meet in the middle with Lil Uzi.
Where do you see yourselves in 3 years?
In three years hopefully a headlining tour! That’d be really cool.
If you could solve any problems in the world what is would they be and why?
Oh man that question is loaded. I’d say if you could get a time machine and eradicate colonialism we’d have a lot less problems to fix. But that’s not possible so let’s start with bringing back the old butterfingers recipe. It tastes different I can tell.
What is something that music or artistry is lacking right now?
More records on tape.
Anything else you want us to know about you guys?
We are all good friends who love each other. And Dre has a crush on the Wendy’s girl.
Keep up with Fast Car Slow car via Instagram or hear their music on Bandcamp or Sound Cloud.
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