Cool Kids Echosmith still feel the desire to fit in

US indie rock/pop band Echosmith admit that in spite of their newfound fame, the desire to fit in is inescapable.

The band —  made up of Sierota siblings Sydney, 18, Noah, 19, Graham, 16 and Jamie, 22, —  found themselves surrounded by a number of "really cool" bands following the success of Cool Kids, the lead single taken off their debut album Talking Dreams.

The catchy number about self acceptance was released in 2013 and broke into the top 10 of the American Billboard Mainstream Top 40, the Adult Top 40 and the Australian Recording Industry Association​ (ARIA) charts in 2014.

But being in the company of established musicians has put pressure on the young band to be like the cool kids.

"I guess it (Cool Kids) was inspired by ourselves because we felt that way, that desire to fit in, to look like somebody else or even be them," Sydney, the group's lead vocalist said at a pre-concert press conference at Hard Rock Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa on August 11.

The band were in town to play their first ever gig in Singapore.

 "Everyone in the band feels like when you're in an area where there's lots of other artists and other bands, you think they are really cool or there's a certain vibe that they think they're super cool... You feel left out if you're not part of these other groups," Noah, Echosmith's bassist. 

 

Continued Noah: "Sometimes it's uncomfortable and you feel awkward. We start doubting ourselves and feel all these strange feelings and lies that we tell ourselves at times."

Echosmith had several musical influences growing up — including Echo and The Bunnymen, The Smiths and U2 — but they said it would truly be a dream come true to emulate the success of Coldplay

Sydney recalled getting emotional while listening to the British rock band's songs. She said: "Their songs always have a big meaning. It's not just a simple love song, it's a love song to the world.

"They're definitely a band we want to meet or even beat."

Family band

Yet Echosmith also remember that they should cherish what they have. 

The whole family is involved when it comes to touring the world. Sydney brought her father, Jeffrey, and mother, Linda, on stage during the band's gig at The Coliseum. 

Sydney thinks that getting to spend time with her loved ones even while working is one of the perks of being in a family band.

She said: "One of the best things about touring as a family is that we get to make all sorts of memories together that people get to make on family road trips... We are always on a road trip." 

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For Noah, the relationship he has with his siblings is irreplaceable and is a huge contributing factor to the band's chemistry.

"You've gone through life and basically every single up and down together. When you have that it's amazing because you have a trust and a bond... Not many other relationships have that," he said.

"When you know each other so well you're also able to tease each other in different ways and (know) how to push their buttons."

Even a family band is susceptible to quarrels and disagreements but Noah believes that he and his siblings are more than equipped to settle disputes within the group.

He said: "I think we just do it (settle disagreements) the same way as we did when we were little kids. You have to work through it, find a compromise and find a way to talk about it without killing each other."

 

 

After all, Noah, Sydney and Graham will have to set a good example for their soon-to-be-born nephew.

The group's guitarist and big brother Jamie had flown back to the US to be with his wife Ana, whom he is expecting a child with. 

When asked if there was room for another Sierota in Echosmith, Sydney replied: "He might get all the spotlight because he'll be the young one and we'll be the old guys. I'm not sure...Probably not, if we're being honest."

But Sydney feels that the band may have to reconsider if Jamie's little boy grows up to become to most gifted Sierota.

"Hey you never know, he could be the most talented one of us all so we may have to consider it when the time comes, but I think we have a few years," she said.