Q&A: Pom Pom Squad
Photos By Kira Wilson
GRUNGE WITH A SWEET TOUCH - Pom Pom Squad brings you raw, emotional tunes with an edge like no other. The Brooklyn based group brings the members' various backgrounds, from jazz to hip-hop, to create an intricate yet palatable sound. Pom Pom Squad's frontwoman Mia Berrin is joined with bassist Mari Alé Figeman, drummer Shelby Keller and guitarist Ethan Sass. The band's upcoming sophomore EP Ow (out September 6th) is a chance for listeners to get a better taste of the band's sound and simply dance around to. Read on to hear Mia Berrin's thoughts on the EP and get your ears ready for Ow's release.
LUNA: For those that don’t know who Pom Pom Squad is, can you introduce yourself?
BERRIN: Hi I’m Mia-- Pom Pom Squad is an indie-rock/punk/grunge band from Brooklyn, NY.
LUNA: How would you compare your upcoming EP, Ow, to your previous music?
BERRIN: I’d say the Ow EP is kind of actualization of my old music-- it’s a lot more realized. It’s also emotionally freer, messier, angrier, more joyful... It’s like if the Hate It Here EP got really drunk at a party and spilled its guts to everyone.
LUNA: What’s your favorite track on the record & why?
BERRIN: Probably “Heavy Heavy”, or “Again”-- actually “Again” might be my favorite song off the record. Playing that song live puts in me in a kind of hypnotic state. My bandmates (Shelby Keller, Mari Alé Figeman, and Ethan Sass) and I have gotten so in sync on that song-- it kind of feels like when you’re in the ocean and the waves start to overtake you, or the waves that overtake you when you’re about to cry but trying to stop yourself.
“Heavy Heavy” just fills a major writing void for me-- it’s a song I’ve always wanted to write. The shape has been rattling around in my mind for a while, that song structure. It’s a song that I needed when I was in a much worse place in the battle with my brain, and I’ve always joked about writing a song that was just me screaming for half of it, so.
LUNA: Who are some artists you find yourself consistently inspired by?
BERRIN: Courtney Love, Mitski, My bandmates, My best friend Spencer who plays in an amazing band called The Ophelias-- there would not be violins on the EP if it weren’t for her influence.
LUNA: Are there any common topics or themes you find yourself often writing about?
BERRIN: The last two EPs have centered around trauma and healing. I’ve been challenging myself to write about love lately, love and existential dread about the state of the world.
LUNA: What advice do you have for young women wanting to make their way into the music scene?
BERRIN: You don’t have to be “good” and you don’t have to share anything with anyone until you’re ready-- but also there’s a lot of value to putting half-baked stuff into the world, and to collaboration. Basically, go at your own pace and don’t be haunted by other people’s processes or perceived success. You don’t know what it looks like from the inside and it has nothing to do with you.
LUNA: Is there anything you want people to take away from your music?
BERRIN: Maybe to be more open with themselves.
LUNA: It sounds like a lot is in store for Pom Pom Squad, so what do you want the rest of the year to bring you?
BERRIN: We’re headlining Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, NY on 9/15 to celebrate the EP release, and for the first time in two years we’re doing an entirely new set. After that, more music ;)
