Have you ever scrolled through your FYP and fell in love with a random stranger? How about a random song?
Users who were lucky enough to swipe on “Call Me Up” earlier this year discovered what has become the internet’s new favorite song, and band, Daydreamers. Falling head over heels for their 1975-esque sound and their relatable lyrics, the alt-indie quartet’s debut track has already surpassed a million streams in under a month.
“Girl, I’m bored of the city, your eyes look so pretty online,” lead vocalist Riley sings on the anthem for the smitten.
To learn more about the makings of this viral debut, performing live, and more, we called up the Daydreamers to chat.
What inspired your debut single “Call Me Up”?
I wrote the song in about 2 days, it was a super quick process. For me the song is just about that feeling of infatuation you get after meeting somebody for the first time. I think when I wrote it I had just started seeing somebody, and was very much in that phase. We probably talked a bit on the phone as well. After that it was just finishing up the production which I did in about a day, it was all pretty effortless if I’m honest and came very naturally!
What was the writing and production process like?
So I was basically living with our manager Will after a breakup – he sort of adopted me for 6 months and let me stay around his and work in his studio. So it was great to be able to write and finish the song there.
What about “Call Me Up” made it feel right as your first single and introduction?
It was one that really resonated when we played it live, and it seemed people really related to it. So it seemed natural to be the one to start with.
I think you made the right decision because it racked up half a million streams in four days! What has it been like to see the reaction to the song, especially as a band debut?
Yeah it’s been insane! It’s nerve-wracking releasing for the first time, but we’re just so over the moon about the response it’s got.
Do you remember the moment when you realized the original video teasing the song was going viral? What was that experience like?
Yeah! Funnily I was at work late in the evening, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to quit now, but for about 2 hours I was probably the worst employee in the world as I was just hyper-focused on my phone, responding to comments etc as you think at any second it’s going to die! Then it’s really only been on the up ever since, and that was about 2 months ago now. So it was quite a surreal experience!
If you could set up fans in the perfect environment to listen to “Call Me Up,” what do you imagine it looking like?
Driving on an empty road near LA with the sun going down and the person your into has just messaged you back.
You’ll be playing Camden Assembly in London on April 23rd and it will be your first performance since releasing “Call Me Up.” What are you most looking forward to from this headline show?
Just being in the room with 200 people that really connect with what we do! The afterparty, and being able to chat to everyone. For me the main reason we do all this is to connect with people – like writing music is just trusting that some people in the world have the same perspective as you, or just appreciate your perspective on the world. So it’s such a pleasure to be able to hang out with those people.
What can fans look forward to next?
A music video for Call Me Up, the next single (release tbc very, very soon…) and a whole bunch of songs we’ve got ready to go. Then aim for an album by the end of the year!
Any advice for online daters that you want to ECHO out to the world?
Send voice notes before you meet anyone and where applicable always try to meet people in the real world…
Featured Photo Credit: Joe Magowan