Power Pop Punk enthusiasts have been treated to fantastic releases this year from, among others, Geoff Palmer, Lone Wolf, Local Drags, and Jagger Holly. To ‘complete’ this lineup, DEATHMATES by ODD ROBOT deserves a spot, as songwriter Andrew Burris and his band have crafted a collection of not just a few but 17 (yes, 17!) irresistibly catchy bangers. Dive into Burris’s story below.

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Be sure to catch ‘Lost Inside Yr Ocean’ featured on the ‘The Best Power Pop of 2023‘ Spotify playlist.

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Your decision to gather opinions on your new songs is intriguing. When did you realize that external perspectives could contribute significantly to your creative process?

Initially, for our first two records, I predominantly provided the band with demos that were nearly 99% complete. However, this time, I introduced demos at varying stages of completion. Collaborating with the band in our rehearsal space significantly helped in fleshing out the ideas, especially for the tracks where I hit creative roadblocks — like a few songs lacking a chorus or having a great melody but no lyrical direction. With our band evolving from a power trio to a 5-piece over the years, I’ve never lacked input when encountering obstacles!

If you could collaborate with three co-writers for new songs, whom would you choose, and what qualities draw you to them?

My dream songwriting trio would comprise Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, and Dave Grohl. McCartney’s unmatched sense of melody and incredible bass lines, Swift’s impeccable pop sensibilities, and Grohl’s punk influence that adds an edge to conventional pop music are qualities that I find truly inspiring.

Determining a song’s completion can be elusive. How do you decide when a composition has reached its final, ready-to-record form?

The initial draw for me is an opening lyric and melody that seamlessly fit together and captivate. If a solid verse and chorus emerge, the song progresses. Sometimes, crafting an instrumental hook or intro aids in this process, and my guitarist and keyboardist excel at this. Personally, the toughest part is often penning the lyrics for the second verse; condensing thoughts without redundancy can be a challenge. Given the current trend of shorter attention spans among audiences, I favor succinct songs. Once I’ve formulated a couple of verses and a robust chorus, I structure the song as AB/AB, occasionally adding a bridge or repeat chorus. That’s when I consider it done!

Among the compliments you’ve received, is there one that remains etched in your memory? If so, what made it particularly unforgettable?

Recently, a fan labeled us as “the best powerpop band in the world” in a social media post. The exhilaration I felt upon reading that was indescribable. Despite not extensively touring and having a modest fanbase, knowing that people worldwide connect with our music and consider us among their favorites is beyond words.

Looking forward to the next couple of months, what exciting plans or projects are on the horizon for you?

Following our latest release, we have upcoming local record release shows on Dec 9th in Long Beach and Dec 16th in LA. Additionally, we’re gearing up to introduce new merchandise to support the new record and are initiating plans for shows in 2024, eyeing a potential West Coast tour in the spring or summer!