FRND CRCL's Zac Johnson, Aaron Smith & Nick Johnson Drop Some Knowledge About Their Latest Album Suburban Dictionary (The Witzard Interview)
Hailing from Vineland/Cedarville, New Jersey, FRND CRCL's members are, as frontman/guitarist Zac Johnson's Twitter handle proclaims, tried and true @SuburbanKing(s)_. I've known and have quite unique relationships with each of FRND CRCL's three current members: drummer Aaron Smith and I worked together at our local Shop Rite grocery store for at least 5-6 years and, then, for a couple more at the County Administration building until a couple months ago when my department moved out and into a different location. I went all through high school with newest member, bassist, and Zac's older brother, Nick, and we shared a mutual FR(IE)ND C(I)RCL(E). Now, I only recently met Zac at a FRND CRCL gig a couple months ago, but we've been messaging back-and-forth on social media for a year or so now. Also, I've driven by Zac & Nick's dad's Christmas tree farm in Hopewell/Upper Deerfield for years now and drive by it everytime my wife, son, and I go over to visit my in-laws.
So, this is all a very round-about, long-winded way to simply say Zac, Aaron & Nick from FRND CRCL are just a band of good, fun-loving, hometown dudes. Prior to the release of their third studio album, Suburban Dictionary, just a couple Fridays ago, FRND CRCL released a staggering six pre-album singles, "47," "ADHD," "Clinically Insane," "F__k California," "Golden," and "No Chill." I got an early press album advance of Surban Dictionary, so I've had a bit of time to sit with it, and I'd say I'd liken its overall sound to a stylistic Pop-punk revivalist cocktail of Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Neck Deep, and Simple Plan with Take Off Your Pants & Jacket era blink-182 and Does This Look Infected? stage SUM 41 likely being their collective biggest sources of inspiration and influence. I recently got a chance to conduct an interview with Zac Johnson, Aaron Smith & Nick Johnson about FRND CRCL's fantastic new album, Suburban Dictionary, and what's to come next from Cumberland County, NJ's favorite Pop-punk band.
I. When, where, how, and why did FRND CRCL initially begin?
FRND CRCL: Zac [Johnson] & Aaron [Smith] met at [Cumberland County] community college in 2015. The meaning behind FRND CRCL (pronounced "friend circle," for those not yet acquainted) is that everyone has one. Every friend circle has these unique bonds because the friend group shares a coalition of experiences that bring them closer together. There's something sacred in that bond and it's powerful. For instance, my (Zac's) group of friends in high school, basically, did everything together to the point where we all stood in a circle to converse in the hallway before class; thus, the nickname "friend circle," the group who always unintentionally fills the hallway before class, was born. With that being said, FRND CRCL is comradery, brotherly bonds, and good times with your closest mates. We didn't quite fit in, but we fit in with each other.
II. Who are the current members of FRND CRCL and what is each member's role within the grand scheme of the band?
FC: Zac Johnson & Aaron Smith, founder and co-founder. Zac's brother, (Nick [Johnson,]) is a full-time member and touring bassist.
III. What is the significance or intended meaning behind the title of your forthcoming album, Suburban Dictionary?
Zac Johnson: Suburban Dictionary in a way is a collective of thoughts and a peer into the life of the everyday suburbanite; a view into the life of average people seeing the world turn around us.
FC: Suburban Dictionary is a Pop-punk conceptual piece that, from start to finish, takes you through a-day-in-the-life of the average suburbanite. Starting with "7AM," and delving into social issues, love, mental health, [etc.]
IV. How would you say FRND CRCL's sound has changed, evolved, grown, and/or progressed since your last album, 2020's Internet Noise?
Nick Johnson: They are very different records. Suburban Dictionary is an encapsulation of FRND CRCL's evolution, from humble beginnings as an up-and-coming Pop-punk band, to the challenging and provocative musical themes of Internet Noise. This album represents Zac & Aaron performing at their highest level of song-writing ability and hitting the mark of defining FRND CRCL's signature sound.
Zac: I wanted to write a record that felt genuine to, not only my current life experiences, but, also, my past. I feel like there's been a story waiting to be told from the time before I started the band that I wanted to delve into; a record that the young 10-year-old skateboarding around the neighborhood would listen to, to the 24-year-old me working a job and seeing school shootings on television. It feels very fulfilling in that manner.
V. What did the writing, creation, recording, production, etc. processes behind Suburban Dictionary typically entail?
FC: These songs started out as demos [we were] making during down time in The Pandemic. [We] felt like [we] had a lot to say about the way the world was changing—the way music was evolving via social media... it was an exciting time and [Zac] was glued to [his] guitar. [A] lot of it just poured out, which felt not only genuine, but satisfying.
VI. Who or what would you cite as some of your greatest sources of inspiration and influence while creating Suburban Dictionary?
FC: The Internet, society, growing up, skateboarding, and Punk Rock.
VII. For first-time listeners, what should they expect when hitting Play on Suburban Dictionary on their preferred streaming platform of choice or while cueing up that shiny yellow vinyl LP?
FC: The first two tracks are really just one song with an elongated introduction to the album. [We] wrote it with the intention of being an uplifting, positive, and heavily energetic piece of music; [we] hope that translates to the listener and that they start their days off on the right foot.
VIII. What can you tell us about the filming processes and storylines behind your music videos for "Golden," and "47?"
FC: The filming was a lot of work, but, also, a lot of fun. Thanks to our director and video producer, Trevor Jennings (Created By Trevor,) we got to utilize a lot of cool props, special effects, and cinematics that we never got to use before.
IX. In addition to or aside from the members of FRND CRCL, who else was involved in the creative processes behind Suburban Dictionary?
FC: Tyler Skye (producer, recording engineer, [mixing] engineer,) The Hilson Studio, Nashville, Tennessee. Sean Powers (producer, recording engineer/drums and bass, mastering engineer,) The Hilson Studio owner, Nashville, Tennessee. Recorded during the summer of 2022 at The Hilson Studio.
X. Would you go as far as to say FRND CRCL's Suburban Dictionary is a concept album? We noticed the album itself seems to span from "7AM" (Track 1) to after "Midnight" (Track 12.)
FC: Suburban Dictionary is a Pop-punk conceptual piece that, from start to finish, takes you through a-day-in-the-life of the average suburbanite. Starting with "7AM" and delving into social issues, love, mental health, etc. The significance is that it was written as a window into what life is like for the average person. It's serious in that manner, but it's, also, a funny play on the website Urban Dictionary. Much like the average person, we tend to find the humor in otherwise sh*t situations and make the best of it. [We] suppose, that's kind of what this record is. It's an inside look at what it's like to be a commoner; a suburbanite, if you will.
XI. Who are some of your favorite bands from in or around your local New Jersey/Tri-state Area scene that you think your fans might also enjoy?
FC: The band Pollyanna is killing it.
XII. What's planned next for FRND CRCL?
FC: We have some shows and are looking to set up some bigger tour runs and, of course, delving further into the next phase of our art. Thank you!