McClainJohnson.com

Secret Someones is a New York-based band. They are playing the Riot
Room September 22nd. The band recently discussed how they became
interested in music, the beginnings of Secret Someones and their
songwriting process. For more info on Secret Someones, check out
http://www.secretsomeones.com/

What was your earliest musical memory?
Hannah: Sing-a-longs to Raffi’s “Baby Beluga” with my parents.
Bess: My mom giving me harpsichord lessons when I was five.
Zach: My dad singing “All My Loving” at a neighbor’s house party.
Lelia: Dancing around the house listening to Graceland and Elton John
with my mom.

What was the first album you bought?
Hannah: Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morisette
Bess: The Juliana Hatfield Three’s Become What You Are
Zach: With the Beatles
Lelia: Also Jagged Little Pill!

What albums do you constantly find yourself listening to?
Hannah: Why Should the Fire Die? by Nickel Creek and A Different Ship
by Here We Go Magic
Bess: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco and Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life
Zach: Lurch by Mike Viola and The Gilded Palace of Sin by The Flying
Burrito Brothers
Lelia: Graceland and Abbey Road
As a group: When the Pawn by Fiona Apple, Pet Sounds by The Beach
Boys, Break Mirrors by Blake Mills

How did Secret Someones get started?
Way, way back many centuries ago, in 2013, the three of us ladies were
all solo artists and we decided to go on tour together. Zach played
drums and we all served as each others’ backing band. We had a blast
playing for folks in their living rooms, and were frequently asked if
we had ever made a record as a band… and we thought, “Hey! That’s a
swell idea.”

How does your creative process work when writing songs?
One of us will bring a seed (like a chord progression or a lyric idea)
to the writing session, and then the three of us will complete the
song together from there. Sometimes the song is personal, about
something one of us is going through, and sometimes we’ll just make up
a whole storyline.

What was the first song you recorded together?
“I Won’t Follow.”

Secret Someones tours a ton. What have been some of your strangest
moments on the road?
Playing a show in a hair salon, spending a couple nights in the
hospital in LA with Zach right when we were signing our record deal,
falling on our asses while trying to push our van out of the snow
during a blizzard. Twice.

What are your hobbies outside of music?
Hannah: Bakery taste-tester, making ice cream sundaes, playing with puppies
Bess: Yoga, making bomb smoothies, cooking
Zach: Reading the Harry Potter series for the first time
Lelia: Workin’ on my physique, cooking, drinking Manhattans
As a group: Napping and Netflix

What have been the biggest obstacles you’ve had to overcome in your career?
-Learning to put on a good show as if we’re playing for 500 people
even if we’re only playing for 5.
-Continuing to make music and stay positive even when things don’t go
according to plan.

Do you have a quote or motto that you live by?
Bess: If there are things outside of your control, don’t worry about
them. If there are things that you can control, don’t worry about
them.
Lelia: Have gratitude for the present moment.
Zach: Life’s like a movie. Write your own ending. -Kermit the Frog
Hannah: When in doubt, PB&J.

What advice would you give to artists just starting out?
Work hard and be nice. Don’t give up.