Doesn’t Get “Better Than This” With senses
Written by: Lindsey V. Britt
Named by Idobi Radio as one of their “Rising Artists to Listen to in 2024”, senses is an L.A. rock band with a unique pop-rock edge by utilizing dark synths, driving guitars, pounding drums and unique storytelling. The band originated when singer Madison Taylor met drummer Nick Sampson on Craigslist, priding themselves on their anthemic, relatable songwriting.
Next Wave: First off, how did senses form as a band? I heard there was a Craigslist ad?
senses: We did, in fact, happen to meet on Craigslist. It was my (Madison’s) first time using that website and I had really only ever heard horror stories about it, but I thought why not give it a try? Nick was the first person to respond and after a couple of emails back and forth we got together at a rehearsal space by my place and just started jamming and that was kind of it from there. We had similar influences and both had this passion to start a project and here we are!
Next Wave: What’s it like getting started in the L.A. music scene?
senses: Terrifying haha. You start to learn really quickly that there is no right path or right way to do anything in this industry. You just take it one step at a time and those steps look different for everyone. For us, it was just about making music and playing together and getting comfortable with that. At first, you definitely feel like a small fish in a giant ocean, so how do we just not let that get to us and do what we love was the goal.
Next Wave: Your new song “Better Than This” is about life not being what you thought, what people expected of you and wanting it to get, well, better than this. Is there a story or reason you decided to turn it into a song?
senses: Honestly, it ended up being this really fun song musically with a more serious topic lyrically. It came together super organically because we were just talking about the struggles we and so many people collectively share and how sometimes it just feels never-ending, but just wanting to throw our hands up and shout that it’s gotta get better at some point. So, a lot of it is kind of this fun sarcastic spin on how we're actually feeling which is overwhelmed with life, as a lot of us feel more and more these days.
Next Wave: “Better Than This” reminds me of a Y2K sound, was there any inspiration behind the song sonically?
senses: We just wanted it to be this fun upbeat play on these darker feelings. We didn’t have a specific inspiration we just kinda let the lyrics and the mood of the song guide us and our producer Keith Varon took it right where it needed to go with us. We just wanted to flip it on its head and make it fun.
Next Wave: Who are some of the bands you look up to, either music and/or career-wise?
senses: Oh my, this list is a long one. For me (Madison) I always really respected bands like Fleetwood Mac, No Doubt, and Heart. Definitely the female-fronted pioneers who are so much of the sounds we listen to today. I mean the list of incredible female rockers goes on and on but those are some of my closest original inspirations. I know for Nick he grew up on bands like Motley Crue, Korn, Evanescence. So, we both definitely bring the classic rock sound but also have such different influences into our adult lives as well.
Next Wave: Is there an artist you would love to collaborate with one day?
senses: Oh, so so many. Miley Cyrus would be so fun! Her voice is insane and would love to see what we would sound like together. MUNA we both love and think they’re just the coolest. We’ve always talked about how insane it would be to get to work with Dave Grohl. He’s absolutely on both of our lists right at the top of someone who would be so cool to collaborate with.
Next Wave: After releasing your EP “Take Me Out Of Here” last year, I’m sure your fans are wondering if you’re planning on releasing an album sometime soon?
senses: Right now we’re focusing on more of a track-by-track release schedule, but both of us would really love to release another cohesive project. Releasing our first full-length LP is something we both really look forward to down the road and are just trying to get to a place where that makes sense and can really do it in a meaningful way.
Next Wave: So, I’m wondering, is there a “Tom Holland” of the group? As in, who may leak a song before it’s released?
senses: Oooo, that’s a good question. Honestly, I don’t think either of us would really leak something early… We are usually pretty protective about the “plan”, but if it were someone who would possibly make a mistake like that, I’d have to go with Madison haha.
Next Wave: I saw for Halloween the band dressed up as The Sanderson Sisters, is “Hocus Pocus” one of your favorite movies?
senses: I mean in terms of a Halloween movie or really just a holiday movie I would say yes. That was the first show we were going to be playing on actual Halloween and that movie is definitely something we could all agree on. Who doesn’t like Hocus Pocus?!?
Next Wave: I know artists can see the names of playlists their songs have been added to. What is the craziest name you’ve seen one of your songs on?
senses: We got added to a playlist called “Feral Female” and honestly we’ve never felt more seen and honored.
Next Wave: Are you excited to be going on tour with Charlotte Sands?
senses: We are so so excited. I (Madison) have been a fan of Charlotte’s for a while and just think her voice is incredible. I remember seeing her at The Troubadour a couple of years ago and just really thought she put on such a great show and we’re just so excited to be a part of that experience. Her and her team are amazing and we just know it’s gonna be the best time.
Next Wave: You toured with Leah Kate, Carlie Hanson, and BOYS LIKE GIRLS last year, what was that experience like being out on the road with different artists?
senses: It was seriously unforgettable. I hadn’t had any experience touring whatsoever before that, so I was really nervous going into it, but it’s so cool to see how each artist/band works and what they do either the same or slightly differently. They were such great tours to open up our eyes to how it all works, and we just had such a great time getting to do what we love every day. Funny enough, even though it felt like more of a “job” to have to go out there every night and perform, it didn’t take anything away from it. We just thought every night was so cool and the fact that we got to be there was incredible.
Next Wave: Has there been a gig so far that you’ll never forget?
senses: The shows in the smaller cities are always so memorable. It feels like you’re performing for this crowd that is like your little family for the night, and everyone is just so high energy and ready to rock with you. Boston though on this last tour, now they were loud. We felt like we could barely hear ourselves in the best way haha.
Next Wave: Is there something you learned from touring that you’ll implement on this tour?
senses: Just always be prepared for things to not always go perfectly. Be adaptable and just ready to pivot or pull something out of nowhere if you need to. I mean we rely on a lot of different moving pieces to all happen at once and sometimes when things don’t go right those are the moments we just have to roll with it and make the most of it! And usually, they end up being some of the most memorable. Also, be more organized on the bus haha.
Next Wave: I know senses has done some solo gigs before, are there any plans on going on a headliner tour in the future?
senses: Oh, I think that’s definitely on our radar. We want to make sure it’s done right and we are ready for something like that, so nothing is planned currently, but we are really trying to get to a place where that makes sense for us and we can really sell some tickets for a few shows ourselves in other markets. Definitely a goal of ours!
Next Wave: My favorite question to ask interviewees is, do you have a recommendation of something the reader should check out? It can be anything, book, product, store, whatever you’d like to share.
senses: Check out your local thrift store. They always have the coolest stuff and there’s usually something super unique and weird in the best way. We’ve recently discovered the power of thrifting and it is an underrated activity for sure.
Next Wave: Thank you so much for answering our questions today, are there any last thoughts you’d like to say before we go?
senses: Thank you so much for having us be a part of this! We’re just an Emo Friendly, Punk Curious, Pop rock band with lots left to give. Cheers!