"Do you wanna have fun?
How's about (fun) a few laughs?
I can show you a... good time...
Do you wanna have fun... fun... fun?"
I realize quoting "Big Spender" lyrics from Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields' Sweet Charity musical won't earn me any sweet indie cred, but I went there anyway. Why? Because it allowed me to use this as an intentionally tacky lead-in: "Who doesn't want to have some 'fun'?" Winks and nudges out of the way, I can now tell you about the indie pop rock band "fun.", who have been on quite a roll since their song "We Are Young," appeared on a December episode of Glee. The track has been killing it on pop and alternative stations ever since. It's listed at #1 on its Digital Songs charts and the album is currently ranked #3 on the Billboard 200. Despite the early success with that song, which features Janelle Monáe, the fun trio (Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff) aren't exactly sold it's a hit yet. In the immortal words of Will Ferrell in Zoolander, they are clearly on "crazy pills."
On Feb. 24 at the Sons of Essex in New York City, where the band would later hold a private release party for their sophomore album Some Nights, they performed the aforementioned slam dunk of a song, contemplated its success, and talked about their other unique songs on "A-Sides."
Before you watch the clips below, I should mention the band's album sold roughly 70,000 copies in its first week to debut at #2 on Billboard's "Top Current Albums" chart. They didn't know this at the time of the interview, but I'd say they probably realize they're hit makers now.
"We Are Young" Live + Acoustic
Fun "fun." Interview
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman
Jon Chattman's music series features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing.