A song that made you want to make music?
The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. It’s like a nursery rhyme but on steroids, and very pop punk.
Best rider you have had?
Walking into a green room with a table that had a couple of papers stacked on it. They turned out to be adoption papers for 2 penguins in Antarctica: Rocket & Pengwin – true story.
Craziest moment in the band?
Waking up to CBS New York talking about the project, as well as performing on top of One Times Square and livestreaming it to thousands of people. And getting shut down by Megan Thee Stallion cause my set was too loud on a stage next to hers at Governors Ball in 2022!
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
I’ve tried to engineer my own heaven, you can tell
I’m not an engineer so it kinda looks more like hell
From my son, Heaven
Easiest song you wrote?
Save Me. Definitely one of the fastest songs I’ve ever written and recorded. It also happens to be one of the fastest songs from a BPM perspective that I’ve ever made – it all was rather speedy.
Favourite song in your set?
Can’t pick a favorite child! But if I had to, I’d say Invincible, because of the big middle section where I get to sing “You and I are invincible” together with the crowd.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Hayley Williams of Paramore.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
The consistency required to make shit happen – and pushing through the grind, the sweat, and the tears. But it’s all incredibly rewarding.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
I – Eddie – am amazing at imitating animal sounds, but I can’t snap my fingers with my left hand.
Jokes you have in the band?
When we’re filming outside with the “Pengwin”, we also stop and ask people for directions to Antarctica.
Key to writing a song?
I generally write in the key of G, but not exclusively :). Start with a topic or a word that sounds great, and build around it.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
From Antarctica to New York!
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Muse, Childish Gambino, Paul McCartney, Blink-182, Green Day, Hans Zimmer, Sofi Tukker, The 1975, Twentyone Pilots, random people playing music on the streets of Rio, Istanbul, Milan, London, New York and many other places. I’m constantly being inspired by the shows I’m seeing and performers I run into.
New band you’d recommend?
Rocket Pengwin. Be your first fan.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Paramore or blink-182 would be a dream.
Place you’d most like to tour?
Japan and one day Antarctica.
Quote that you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Paraphrasing My Chemical Romance: “Don’t be afraid to keep on living, don’t be afraid to walk this world alone.”
Reason for the title of your forthcoming release?
Polar Opposites is a chapter of the story where a penguin moves from Antarctica to New York City. Antarctica is the place on Earth that’s least interfered with by humans. New York City couldn’t be more of a contrast. By bringing the ‘Pengwin’ to life in the real world, the album creates an outlet to express how I feel in life and love, but also in a more literal way that would challenge fans and passersby alike to think about what it means to find a sense of place. Whilst the whole concept can be existential – man vs. nature, imagination vs. reality, I wanted to ground Rocket Pengwin by exploring real topics that anyone can relate to – what does it take to stand out in a crowd? Is that even important? Do we actually all stand out in our own, unique ways? How do relationships even work – whether they are amongst each other, our significant others, with the city we live in or even with ourselves? My whole life is made of Polar Opposites, so I felt the title to be very appropriate.
See us live at?
Elsewhere, Brooklyn on October 8 (year 2023 – for those of you reading this in the documentary released in 2045).
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
I really don’t, or else I wouldn’t be here today. The current days allow for artists of all caliber and stature to make art with very little friction, and the entry barrier to get it out in the world is practically non-existent. This allows for endless experimentation, and ultimately tons of music that is very hard to label into a specific genre or category. I love it!
Unusual merchandise?
Shower curtains. You see them every day. Every friend that comes to visit your place will see them. They’re useful, last a long time, and definitely make your bathroom more interesting.
Variations you’d like to do on one of your songs?
My songs go through so many iterations already that I feel good when they finally get released. I would absolutely release some acoustic versions of some of them, however.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything! They literally allow for Rocket Pengwin to exist, and having such a positive community that can understand jokes, and at the same time is equipped to dissect layered and complex topics is quite special.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band injuries?
I could use some surgery. To keep me broken.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
When I can control as many factors as possible, I’m never late for a show cause I respect everyone that cares enough to buy a ticket to come see me perform. Otherwise, it’s usually the Pengwin taking too long to get their seatbelt fastened in the car.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Let me think about this one…🐧