Photographed & Written by: Matthew Terry
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
Over the past year I’ve focused on the local haunts that musicians, musicals, and music fans call home and fill with the warmth of audible expression. In 2025 I will begin delving into the musicians who fill those haunts and leave memories like ghosts in the structures that represent the local scene. Much like these venues, each musician possesses their own personality and motivation, and I think it’s important to speak of that motivation because artistic expression allows us to explain ourselves in ways that extend beyond our own subjective experiences.
As a creative person who often unearths inspiration from outside of the medium I am utilizing at the time, I have always been intrigued by what causes someone to tick. What moves their mind? What must be torn down to rebuild something beautiful? And what keeps us progressing forward when so much of our reality seems set in old habits? Expression seems easy in the days of the social media blitz, but to truly connect with others in a world run on separation – especially when that connection is formed from something that only exists because of an artist’s hand, mind, and the electric space between the two – it’s nearly worth worshipping…or at the very least is worth attempting to understand better.
Frozen Fructose Laundromat released a new album titled, “Thou Sand Thousands” this past January, performing a record release show at Rozz-Tox with March’s feature band Subatlantic opening the night. I got the chance to take in this performance from a unique trio of musicians, with an equally unique name. While 2/3 of this group’s members were new to me, I had previously worked with their bassist Bob, shooting several other bands he has been a part of in the area. When I ran into him and drummer Treva at a mutual friend’s house last year, and he handed me a copy of their release, “A Comma Date” I knew I wanted to include them in an upcoming feature. Now, all these months later, I have found a way to share this group with a new crowd of individuals. I spoke with lead guitarist/vocalist Kevin Paller to see where this unique name came from, and what motivates his musical endeavors past, present, and beyond.
Let’s start off with some introductions. Who/What makes up the band known as Frozen Fructose Laundromat and how long have you been playing together?
The core members have been Treva and I since 2020. We were previously in a band together. Bob has been the bass player for the last two records.
Of course there are the classic stories of bands finding members via newspaper/street ads, as well as through meeting at an open jam. So what brought you together? Were you friends prior to the band?
Treva and I were in a band together before we formed Frozen Fructose Laundromat. Since we needed a bass player for our second record, I asked Bob to participate. We definitely got along before being in a band together. I don’t think Treva and Bob knew each other beforehand, but it seems they have good chemistry as well.
I’m a fan of unique bad names/titles, and you’ve got quite an original name for the group, one which seems to create more questions than answers. Where does the name originate from? What caused this choice? Is it a name you feel is fitting for your sound/energy as a band?
It’s from having a root beer float at a laundromat in East Moline. I wrote about it years later and asked a friend what their favorite part of my page was. They zeroed in on the frozen fructose laundromat part, so I felt it’d make a good band name. I’d rather leave the decision of if it fits up to the interpretation for the audience. It’s more fun that way.
Speaking of sound, I know genres can be limiting/a bit unnecessary, and art is often better experienced than explained, but how would you describe the music you make?
Our music is an attempt to find structure while being emotive of various human experiences. It’s tough to say, really. We just all know how to play and have fun. We’ve learned a lot from each other.
After seeing you live, you do have a consistent sound and energy that runs throughout the songs. I do think cohesion is important (to a point). Do you feel like you try sticking to a singular sound or are you more open to an expansive sound that bends the space between genres?
We’re just trying to be ourselves. Treva is awesome with driven percussion, Bob has a knack for jazz and bluegrass, and I enjoy singing and playing guitar. We saw how this evolved as a group and as individuals. Bob has challenged my overuse of the fifth, and this has opened a new gate for me – not just musically.
Why did you become a musician, and/or what or who initially got you passionate about music? Who are your biggest inspirations currently?
Treva and Bob have been lifelong musicians, but I’m not sure of their foundation there. My grandfather had a steel-stringed guitar that I picked up a couple of years after he passed away. I’m getting a kick out of Spanish-Portuguese rhythm guitar at the moment.
I know you’ve just recently released your new album. What inspires you to create new music, and what is that process like?
There’s a thrill in making sense of life lessons. I’ll play guitar, see what sticks, and go from there. The lyrics try to capture that feeling and thought process.
What inspires you outside of the world of music?
We’re inspired by interactions, whether it be with visual art, reading, or a conversation with someone in the community.
I believe you recorded recently with Pat at Future Appletree. I know the approach at Future Appletree is a bit more “traditional” What’s it like recording to actual tape? As an artist who finds himself between the digital and analog worlds, I’m interested to know if you enjoyed the process in comparison to more digital means?
Playing live helps us work together on the spot. Sure, the digital aspect helps with the finishing touches, but recording directly to tape demands a sense of urgency. No matter how prepared you are, it’s a different setting, and that calls for immediate adaptation sometimes, which yields organic expression. There’s something true and right to that process. We only have so much time.
Do you enjoy the songwriting/album-making process? What would you consider your favorite/least favorite aspect of making music?
It requires diligence, but the feedback from the audience and band members makes it worthwhile. I’m realizing there are other facets of life and music I should be paying attention to now that I’m older.
When it comes to the local scene, what do you see as the strengths of the QCA? What areas do you feel could use improvement?
I think some inclusiveness is merited like there is in the karaoke scene. Melodic playing is like a sense of entitlement. We can just play something anyone can dig, even on the spot.
What is your favorite local venue to perform at? Are there any spaces, either still going or no longer in existence, that you’d love to perform in?
Rozz Tox is my local venue of choice. I wish the Cog in Davenport was still around. It’d be an honor to play there. I don’t know why places like that have trickled away.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from another musician? Is there any insight/advice you’d give to aspiring musicians, or even possibly to your younger self?
Practice is essential. If you don’t know what you’re doing, then learn how to do it. Playing live or recording has a way of demanding these insights. It’s more fulfilling to work together.
I know you recently released an album, Thou Sand Thousands, playing a record release show in January, What else do you have on the horizon for 2025/would you like readers to know about?
We just played a show at Raccoon Motel on March 29th. Otherwise, I think we’re taking a much-needed break for a while unless an opportunity comes up.
Frozen Fructose Laundromat
BandCamp: frozenfructoselaundromat.bandcamp.com
Facebook: Frozen Fructose Laundromat
Spotify: Frozen Fructose Laundromat
Apple Music: Frozen Fructose Laundromat