In The Studio: Uni Boys
Interview With Reza Matin and Noah Nash About Recording With The Lemon Twigs
Uni Boys’ impressive third album, Do It All Next Week (Curation Records), made waves in 2022 thanks to timeless songwriting and scrappy rock and roll charm.
The LA quartet is fronted by Reza Matin (guitar/vocals) and Noah Nash (guitar/vocals) who split the songwriting duties while Michael Cipolletti (bass) and Arthur Fitch (drums) fill out the band’s hooky, high-energy sound.
Think Bomp! Records via CBGB and you’ll be in the ballpark, but their addictive songs owe as much to experimental music and modern indie rock as they do to classic pop, punk and glam. (For more about Uni Boys’ influences, check out my deep-dive album review/interview from last September at Big Takeover.)
So it was great to hear that likeminded peers Brian and Michael D'Addario of The Lemon Twigs would be co-producing the next Uni Boys album. Recording sessions took place over 11 days in late December/early January at the D'Addario’s studio in Williamsburg, New York. The album is slated for release in Spring/Summer 2023.
I caught up with Matin and Nash to briefly chat about the new album, their connection to The Lemon Twigs, and find out what fans of Do It All Next Week can expect from their new music.
How did you guys get connected with The Lemon Twigs?
Noah Nash: Ultimately we connected online. Then, close to a year ago, they were spending some time in LA and Reza and the rest of the band met up with them at Footsies (a bar in the Cypress Park neighborhood of LA) after one of our shows. I just went home that night.
They eventually asked us to come record, seemingly pretty casually, and we jumped on the opportunity and asked if they would want to do our whole record. We spent a bit of time with them during their later trips to LA after that.
What can fans of Do It All Next Week expect from your new music?
Reza Matin: This record is definitely a step up from the last record both sonically and in terms of songwriting. I’m really happy with how it turned out and I’m sure our fans will be too.
Noah Nash: Fans of Do It All Next Week can expect a better album. I’d say it’s in the same vein of the last record, just a bit more complex.
Are the two of you still the primary songwriters?
Noah Nash: Yeah, Reza and I wrote all the songs on this album again. Six of mine and six of Reza’s.
Any collaborations with the D'Addario brothers?
Noah Nash: No collaborations with the Lemon Twigs on the songwriting end of things, nonetheless they were a great help. Besides we didn’t have time for anything like that, and that was never the plan anyways…
Reza Matin: The Twigs helped out with adding layers of instrumentation, such as keys and four-part harmonies, that hadn’t been used much on previous Uni Boys albums.
When will the new album will be released?
Noah Nash: We are hoping the album can be released by the end of Summer this year, but we know how these things can go. Whether it be vinyl plant issues or our ability to get the album artwork turned in on time.
Any plans to tour leading up to the new record?
Noah Nash: The Lemon Twigs are taking us on the West Coast leg of their tour, so we’re super excited for that.
Reza Matin: You can expect a UK/Europe tour from us in August.
Noah Nash: Hoping we can work that out!
Five Tracks For Fans Of Uni Boys
A few additional songs hand-selected by S.W. Lauden