Interview: The Pennys
R.E. Seraphin and Mike Ramos Talk About Their Self-Titled EP
The new self-titled EP from The Pennys is the result of a collaboration that happened in slow motion.
“I had approached Mike (Ramos) about recording a solo album a while ago, but when he actually expressed interest I realized I didn't have any material. I asked if he wanted to create an entirely new project, figuring that I could cough up a couple songs, and he said, ‘Yes’,” R.E Seraphin told me for the interview below.
The resulting music deftly combines Seraphin’s power pop chops with the slower, lo-fi approach of Ramos (Tony Jay, Flowertown) to deliver a moody and textured debut. The Northern California collective also features Yea-Ming Chen (Ryli, Yea-Ming & The Rumours), Owen Kelley (ex-Sleepy Sun), and Luke Robbins (Ryli, ex-Latitude).
The Pennys call their music “occult heartbreak pop.”
“Perhaps it’s a lighthearted way to break from the blanket term ‘fog pop’ which sorta means something when talking about recording, but doesn’t mean anything outside of that beyond the weather for the part of town some bands live in,” Ramos said.
I caught up with Seraphin and Ramos by email to discuss the EP’s May 1 release from Mt.St.Mtn, what the word “occult” means to Ramos, and Seraphin’s love for Grover’s Sesame Street song “Monster in the Mirror.”
R.E. Seraphin and Mike Ramos Interview
Congrats on the great new EP. What’s The Pennys’ origin story?
Mike Ramos: Thank you! The prequel would include a scene of me sitting around in 2020 during the shutdown era, messing around with a guitar riff for a song I thought could be a good one for R.E. Seraphin. I’d been listening to his Tiny Shapes album a lot.
A handful of years, several philosophical debates with Ray and Yea-Ming over dinner at Chevy’s, and a whole lotta life changes later, we finally got together at my previous apartment and pressed “record” on the 8 track.
R.E. Seraphin: We had collaborated once before on my Swingshift EP, so I knew we were capable of working well together.
You describe this music as "occult heartbreak pop," which seems strangely accurate to me. Can you explain what that means to you?
R.E. Seraphin: Mike came up with that. I think the “occult” descriptor is because he sings about candles a lot. The “heartbreak” part is easier to decipher—most of our lyrics are about failing relationships and fading dreams.
Mike Ramos: In my mind, the word “occult” in this sense is not so much a reference to the lyrical content so much as the feel of the songs harkening to predecessors like The Church (whose music videos did have lots of candles) or Sorrow whose lyrics perhaps opened the door to the spiritual realm a bit more seriously than ours.
You announced The Pennys with the debut single "Say Something." Why was that the right introduction?
R.E. Seraphin: That's the one song we actually wrote together (although I’d say it’s 90% Mike and 10% me). So, it seemed fitting to have “Say Something” represent the project. Frankly, I think it's also the best song. You don't always choose the best song as the single, but in this case it worked out.
Mike Ramos: This one feels the most most collaborative in terms of sound. Yea-Ming really helped elevate this one with her vocal and piano contributions, gilding it with some serious sparkle. While working on this one, Ray pointed out that I have a sort of SF drawl that comes out in my lyrical enunciation (e.g. the way the word “something” is sung) which I thought was funny. I’ve always had a hard time singing or harmonizing along with somebody else’s lead vocals, so it’s usually somebody else having to accommodate my lack of music theory and training, which in this case, worked out to the song’s benefit.
Listening to the EP, "One Million Things" really jumped out at me. What's the story behind that song?
R.E. Seraphin: That song is from a group I used to be in, Violent Change. But Matt Bleyle, the songwriter in Violent Change, never wound up using it. I’ve always loved the melody and the lyrics; there’s something real tender about the song. I asked him if I could record my own version and he said yes—as long as I gave him a copy of the EP. Simple enough!
Mike Ramos: I wasn’t there when the backstory unfolded so I cannot attest that anything Ray just said is true.
Closing track "Trilobites" is another favorite. What was the inspiration for that one?
R.E. Seraphin: That's a song I originally wrote for my old project Talkies, albeit in a more uptempo, Ramones-y arrangement. Mike suggested playing it in ¾, which he envisioned would sound like The Vaselines.
I don't really know what that song is about—the lyrics are a bit cryptic. But it was certainly inspired by my time living in Austin, and I lifted the title from the Breece D’J Pancake story of the same name.
Will The Pennys be performing live or touring in support of this EP?
R.E. Seraphin: Right now, we have no plans to perform. We’re waiting for the right opportunity (aka “a big cash offer”).
Mike Ramos: : No plans, but if something that seemed fun presented itself (show-wise or inclusion in a syndicated television series) we just might say yes.
If I got in the tour van with The Pennys, what would I be listening to?
Mike Ramos: : Years ago the face plate for the radio in my van was stolen, so I got used to driving with no music, and learned to appreciate the sounds of the road.
R.E. Seraphin: I have a toddler at home, so I mostly listen to Sesame Street music. My favorite song at the moment is Grover’s “Monster in the Mirror.”
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