Q&A: How Lemondrop Created the Perfect EP for Teenagers in Their Twenties
EVER FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP — with the internet? Does it feel like a toxic ex sometimes? LA-based indie-rock band Lemondrop has got you covered with their newest project, The Internet which is set to release on Oct. 13. The EP deals with a whole range of feelings regarding life post-pandemic, primarily that of returning to reality after being consumed by the internet in order to cope.
A gritty and authentic ode to the internet and internet culture itself, everyone can find relatability in The Internet.
This is a brand new era for the band, in the most refreshing way possible. Creating a collection of songs that can be thought-provoking, relatable, and fun all around is a tricky thing to accomplish, but Lemondrop has perfected it. The EP is fueled off pure raw emotion, tangible within each song.
Lead singer Joni Lemons sat down with Luna to talk about the making of the EP, her musical inspiration, and trying to be authentic in a plastic world. Read the interview below.
LUNA: Just to get a little bit of background, how long have you been pursuing music?
LEMONDROP: My dad’s side of the family is super musical, so I was thrown into that at a young age. The Naked Brothers Band came out, and immediately I knew I had to learn to play the drums. There was a set of two brothers who went to the same music school as I did, and one of them played drums while the other played guitar with my sister. We realized we were really just missing a bassist, so I took one for the team and learned to play bass, and from there we formed a band! We were called The Retronomes.
LUNA: I think The Naked Brothers Band definitely inspired so many people to try their hand at music — that was probably such a fun experience. How did Lemondrop come to be, then?
LEMONDROP: I started Lemondrop as a band in college, and then the pandemic hit [and] I ended up moving to LA, etc. It kind of fell apart a little bit, but it was always kind of my thing, anyway. We decided to disband and I turned it into my solo project, and it’s been great to be able to perform wherever I want and make music however works best for me.
LUNA: That’s great to be able to have full creative control. Speaking of, what sparked the idea of this new collection of songs that make up your new EP, The Internet?
LEMONDROP: I feel like the pandemic stunted my growth a lot. I felt like I was chronically online during all of it, but then I kept telling myself that I needed to get off the internet because it’s so bad for my brain, so I really struggled with that internally. As a musician right now, especially with Tiktok, there’s the whole dilemma of not wanting to be an influencer but kind of feeling like I have to be one. I feel like I created this very unhealthy relationship with the internet, so the first song I wrote for this project is called “The Internet,” because my ex-boyfriend tried to get back together with me, and I realized I had the same love-hate feelings for him that I do with being online. I’d get the same dopamine hit from a video doing well that I’d get from him telling me he loved me.
LUNA: That’s so valid. During the [lockdown] everyone was kind of forced to be online to stay connected, but then when everything returned to normal, it was really hard for a lot of people to readjust back into a lifestyle without the dependency on social media. Especially now — always trying to enjoy life and be present while people are telling you that success comes from all the likes and views.
LEMONDROP: That’s perfect, yes, that’s exactly what this EP is all about! Just trying to find yourself somehow in the real world, not on social media, while trying to be authentic everywhere. I’ve been really trying to figure out how to post on Tiktok authentically lately, and I think I’m finally finding it. I’m learning that most people don’t care about the music as much as they care about the personality of the artist, and it’s been very freeing.
LUNA: As far as the sound of this new EP goes, do you feel like you’re entering a new era? It seems like this EP will be a great display of growth.
LEMONDROP: Yes! With my old stuff, I feel like I was trying to make it a point to be a rock musician, which is still where my roots are, but it’s much more pop-sounding with a slight indie influence. One of my producers is an indie-pop musician, so his influence definitely shines through here. I really love these new songs.
LUNA: Were there any artists you found inspiration from while making this EP?
LEMONDROP: Definitely Olivia Rodrigo. Love Neon Trees — they’re a huge one for me. Another favorite is this band called Friday Pilots Club. So much inspiration also comes from them.
LUNA: That’s a great range of artists. So excited to hear it all put together! If you could put down a slogan or motto that represents this album, what would it be?
LEMONDROP: Big day for teenagers in their twenties (laughs).
LUNA: Absolutely obsessed with that (laughs). What was your favorite song on the EP to create?
LEMONDROP: Oh gosh, they were all so fun. If I had to choose, I think it’d be the last one on the EP called “Sick Joke.” I love that song — it’s kind of a sad one, but it’s basically about those moments alone late at night when you just start randomly spiraling and thinking about everything wrong in your life, but you know all those thoughts would go away if you just went to bed (laughs). It’s one of those songs where every word seems to have a place, no throwaway lines. I knew this was always going to be the last song on the EP, so at the end of the song we added in some computer-esque elements and sounds, and it all felt like art to me.
LUNA: If you could say anything to the version of yourself that existed right before the pandemic, what would you tell her?
LEMONDROP: Brace yourself. It’s going to be fine, but brace for impact (laughs). A lot is going to change, but you’ll come out better on the other side.
