Interviewed by Cameron Castaldi | Photos by Cameron Castaldi
The Fun Guy members (left to right): Joshua (bass), Ranjit (vocals, guitar), Leo (drums), Jake (guitar)
How would you describe your music?
Ranjit: We like to think of it as post-punk, and it’s going to be pretty political these days, too.
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
Jake: It varies a little bit between all of us, for sure.
Ranjit: I think the common denominators we have are bands like The Clash and The Cure. We started off playing some of The Smiths’ songs.
Do you have a favorite song that you’ve made? Any that you’re excited to play at Farmer’s Ball?
Ranjit: I think probably our newest song, it’s called “Perpetual War.” It’s about the current state of affairs.
What motivates and inspires you to make music?
Ranjit: I find if I don’t make music, it hurts my mental health. It’s therapeutic.
Jake: I agree 100%. I notice it in my mood if I don’t make music.
Ranjit: It builds community–I wouldn’t have met these people. Once we get together for music, you get to see everyone’s personalities and get to know them better. There’s also the aspect of putting yourself out there, and that’s pretty nerve wracking in a way, but you also meet a lot of people through that. I often ask myself “why am I still doing this?” It’s just so beneficial, even just the vibration of the music, the electricity through your chest. I can’t imagine not doing it.
Joshua: It’s something you just have to do, I think that’s where most of us are coming from. It’s like breathing. As dramatic as that sounds, I can’t imagine not playing music.
How did The Fun Guy come to be?
Ranjit: The Fun Guy was a project that I had been kicking around for a while. I had played in this band recently with a different line up, and we were a trio. We did well with that, but those guys moved, and I met all these guys. Now we’re a quartet, and I think it works a lot better for us.
The Fun Guy is one of the eight acts battling for one of the four spots in the Farmer’s Ball Finals! You can catch their performance this Friday, March 27th at Liberty Hall at this week’s Semi-Finals. Stay tuned for more band interviews on the website, and check out our social media for more information. Keep it locked!