Interview with Flip Flop Republic
Flip Flop Republic is a Reggae and Tropical Rock band.
Why did you want to form a band?
Flip Flop Republic is more than music. We have been a group for ten years. We are like family. Not only that; we are lucky to rep the state of Florida and life at the beach. We have people that we met years ago that come and hang out in cool beach towns with us. We feel like a moving community. Music provides an escape for us and our fans, if you come to our show it's more than music, it's an experience of escaping the rat race for a while!
What inspires your music?
At first it was just spending time away at the beach or ocean, laid back and easy lifestyle. Life can be chaotic, so much of our early music was about escape. However, Covid inspired us to be a bit more serious. Songs like Lost in the fire delves into social class and working issues and how the media misconstrues us against each other. However, even when diving into serious issues, the music still has a chill and laid back feel. That is a theme through our music.
What things get you in the mood to write songs or do lyrics come spontaneously?
Both. Sometimes a song hits from nowhere, but sometimes there is a topic we want to write about and we really dig in.
So we focus and collaborate around themes sometimes, but we always go with inspiration when it hits.
How do you want your music to affect people?
We want them to escape. We want them to feel a different way. We hope it impacts their well being in a positive way. Really just have a good time with what they hear.
Do you test out your songs before releasing them? How do you do this?
Sometimes we play songs live for a while before recording, but with covid, this album we had to collaborate separately and of course played no shows. So this album was created in pockets by each of us then we would share ideas, refine, and then met in the studio to complete, so some of these songs we are just now playing live, but it was a great stretch for us to try things differently.
How do you prepare for a gig?
We don't on most gigs. We've been a band for a long time and know the songs and honestly play them different often, we can feed off each other because we know each other as musicians so well. However, if you check out our album release party that was a major production. We coordinated with video, fire breathers and many other facets to produce an amazing show. It was the most coordinated show we've done and it was next level, check out the video of lost in the fire on youtube.
What is your favorite song that you've written?
I think Lost in the fire, because there is so much depth in the lyrics and it spoke to so many of the issues going around around the time of covid, but at the same time it is hopeful and uniting and fierce with still being chill, it's a unique song.
Has there been a reaction to one of your songs that you've been surprised by?
Not really, we've had a lot of great feedback, but I think people don't know what to make of us. We aren't all the way reggae, we aren't rock. People don't know where to place us and I like that, but I think we confuse a lot of people.
What are some ways that you promote yourself?
Social Media, playing gigs and releasing music.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge of your career?
Breaking through, we have a great show and great music, just want to get to the next level. Not top level, just playing bigger shows and getting more exposure.
What have been your favorite places to tour?
We are mostly in the southern part of the US. We are about to expand to the east coast.
Are there advantages to being an independent musician?
We can do our own thing.