Interview: Crash Course with Stateside on Latest EP, Current Tour and Plans for the New Year
Photo courtesy of @_kidleo on Instagram
“I thought this was going to be a fun, little silly project… we didn’t expect anyone to care," reflects vocalist Anthony Lemus, summing up the early mindset that Stateside shared when they first set out. What started as a simple passion project has evolved into something far larger, with their latest release, Songs to Remember You By, connecting with fans across the country. As vocalist and drummer Kai Fogata explains, “Seeing kids all around the country, even if it’s one or 30 people, actually knowing the words and interacting with us—that’s always cool. It’s a vibe change immediately, like, everybody’s cheesing on stage because they’re so stoked.”
Now, with a new EP under their belts and a growing fanbase, Stateside is gearing up for what’s next. From the creation of Songs to Remember You By to their exciting upcoming plans, the band is in the midst of an exciting chapter—one that feels just as spontaneous and genuine as when they first started.
As Songs to Remember You By has gained traction, the band’s live shows have taken on a new energy. When Stateside hits the road, they’re not just performing for fans—they’re creating a moment that feels bigger than just the music. Touring has played a key role in this expansive growth, allowing the band to refine their sound and connect with audiences across the U.S. Over the past year, they've shared the stage with bands like SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Anxious, One Step Closer and even collaborated with Broken Vow for the Take It To Heart tour.
These experiences have allowed the band to interact with listeners on a deeper level, creating memorable moments that have strengthened their connection with long-time listeners, and those just hearing Stateside for the first time. As Lemus explains, “It’s always incredible when people start singing along, especially when we’re playing songs that haven’t even been out for that long.” The band’s live shows have been a crucial part of their journey, helping to shape their presence and energy on stage.
As Stateside gears up to play the last of their upcoming shows with Broadside and Bearings, they’re eager to share a set that reflects the growth and confidence they've gained over the last year. Lemus adds, “We feel more confident than ever playing these songs live. We know what we sound like now, and it’s exciting to see people respond to that.” With each tour, Stateside has honed their live dynamic, gaining both experience and confidence. Despite their rising popularity, they’ve remained grounded, maintaining the same sense of fun and authenticity that initially inspired their music. These tours have solidified their identity as a band and further fueled their drive to keep pushing forward.
Opening for and touring alongside pop-punk heavyweights, Broadside and Bearings, has definitely left a noticeable impression on Stateside as up-and-comers in the scene, especially when it comes to their approach to performing live. Lemus is the first to admit that seeing Broadside in action every night has been inspiring while still posing opportunities for growth: “For me personally, [Broadside is] just so good. Their musicianship is so tight. Not that I think that we’re sloppy, but I’m just like, wow, they’ve been doing it for a while. And you can tell they’re so locked in with each other." That kind of stage precision has Stateside thinking about how they can step up their own performances. It’s not just about keeping the energy high; it's about making sure everything feels dialed in. As Lemus puts it, they’ve started thinking about ways to make their live sets feel even more tight-knit and cohesive, so every moment on stage lands just right. Sure, they've always had the fun and energy—now they’re working on the details to make it even more seamless.
Entering this tour, commemorating the release of their latest EP, Songs to Remember You By, the band opened up about the stories and experiences that shaped the songs. The title, according to Lemus, was inspired by a deeply personal moment in his life. He reflects, “I think personally, the three songs were talking about a very specific time in my life… And I took the title from one of the lyrics in ‘Juliette Has A Gun,’ where it’s like, ‘I need more to remember you by.’” Lemus added, “I was workshopping titles, and we had a couple of different ones, but when Songs to Remember You By came up, it just clicked. It felt like it fit the aesthetic we were already going for.” The EP draws heavily from real-life experiences, exploring the painful but necessary processes of letting go, making it a perfect title for a collection of songs that feel as much about remembering the past as it does about moving forward.
Reflecting on the sound and lyrical direction of Songs to Remember You By, Lemus shares that the EP came out of a deeply personal moment of self-reflection. “I went through a pretty crazy event where I found myself at the lowest point I could have gotten to,” he reveals. “I had to sit there and be like, ‘How did I get here?’ and had to reflect... it really made me think, ‘How do I move forward? How do I change?’” This pivotal experience led Lemus to confront aspects of himself that were difficult to face. “In order to really change those things, you have to start looking at yourself... you have to reflect on yourself and start tackling maybe some of the things that you don't want to see,” he explains. “The person in the mirror isn’t always your friend, at least for me.”
Changing pace from previous releases like “Lock It When You Leave,” addressing common growing pains of losing a relationship, the new EP doesn’t leave out the process of healing, rather it captures moments of change and self-discovery. It explores the complexities of letting go, confronting internal struggles and ultimately finding strength in moving forward.
This shift in their lyrical content to a more matured, sonic sound was just as significant as the personal journey that inspired it. “From the demo to the EP, it felt like an aggressive, stark change,” Lemus says. “It kind of felt the same with these songs. It felt like another step forward for us.” This transformation wasn’t just about refining their sound—it was about making something that felt true to their identity as a band. “These songs feel like the most Stateside songs, for sure,” Lemus states with confidence. "We're all really stoked on it—it feels like the best we've sounded and the direction we want to keep going in," bassist Ben Hughes adds.
With their new EP gaining recognition, Stateside is also marking an exciting milestone: signing with Pure Noise Records. Reflecting on the partnership, Lemus shares that it’s been a game-changer for the band, giving them the resources to take their sound to the next level. “We were unsure what we were gonna do next,” he says, “but with them coming into play, it’s given us the chance to finally make the record we envisioned.”
The connection with the label has not only opened doors opportunity-wise, it’s also freed them from financial constraints that had previously limited their creativity, as a more localized SoCal band. “Instead of putting all our money into recording, we can now focus on making sure everything’s right,” says Lemus. This newfound support has opened up creative possibilities the band hadn’t previously had the chance to explore. “I didn’t want to leave any ideas unturned,” Lemus continues, “so we gave everything a shot.” With Pure Noise behind them, Stateside now has the opportunity to fully realize their artistic vision—something they’re eager to build on in the next chapter of their career.
With their latest release and a new partnership with Pure Noise, Stateside is heading into the new year with big plans to take things to the next level. Lemus says, “We’ve got some incredible shows coming up—some of the best we’ve ever played. And while we can’t say much yet, we’re definitely working on new material. There’s definitely an LP in the works. It’s all coming together.” His excitement reflects the band’s ambition; they’re not just moving forward—they’re gearing up for a major breakthrough. With a growing fanbase and plans for even bigger projects, Stateside is ready to be on top next year.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been along for the ride so far. We honestly didn’t expect anyone to care when we started this, and now we’re here. It’s all been so surreal, and we’re just really grateful for all the support.”