Sports and Broadwood
An inside look at an intimate evening
Written by: Morgan Carleton
Photography by: Sav Snow
Beginning to climb the social ladder, the band “Sports”, is a down-to-earth group that we had the chance to meet before their show at The Outland on September 19th. The band is made up of three members. Cale, the vocalist and keys, and brothers Jacob and Christian who are the bassist and guitarist.
The show also included a local band named “Broadwood”. These talents are both very unique with a vibe that makes you unable to sit still. The members of these bands are very inspiring and know a lot about what it takes to be an artist. “Broadwood” is more locally based, but they have never failed when it comes to compelling an audience. While “Sports” are based in Tulsa, Oklahoma they have made their way touring all over the country with determination. Their goal is to create a new experience for every live show that leaves the audience in want of more. We were lucky enough to get a chance to interview both “Sports” and “Broadwood” and this is what they had to say.
“Sports” Interview:
Q. What was the inspiration behind your new album name, “Everyone’s Invited”?
A. (Cale) “I came up with it right after the last record, ‘People Can’t Stop Chillin’. I thought it was a phrase that sounded cool but there was no album coming up at that time. Then 2 years later we started a new album and weren’t sure what to name it so I brought “Everyone’s Invited” back up. It was a way to make it sound like a party but also lyrically it was more open to my feelings and my life.”
(Jacob) “We hoped it would make everyone feel comfortable as they were listening as it is a very diverse album, a lot of genres, ao we wanted to have a wide variety of listeners.”
Q. If you were only able to listen to one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be?
A. (Cale) “Prince.”
(Christian) “It would have to be classical music, you could never get sick of it.”
(Jacob) “An Italian composer Ennio Morricone.”
Q. Out of every person you’ve ever met, who has made the greatest impact on your life?
A. (Cale) “Honestly my wife, she has completely turned my life around and she is an artist too. She’s changed the way I’ve thought about everything.”
(Christian) “My friend Crowbar, he’s just great, he’s been there for a few years and he’s just a good dude.”
Q. How would you describe yourselves/band to someone you have never met?
A. They all agreed to describe it as “It’s a funky time, with a very glittery and reflective show.”
Q. Out of all of your songs which speaks the most to you?
A. (Christian) “No Pressure, the music, and the lyrics just go so well together. It’s also my favorite song to play.”
(Jacob) “No Pressure was about our manager that passed away so it means a lot to all of us. It was written the first time we were just jamming for this album and it came out so we all have a connection with it.”
Q. Where did the name “Sports” come from?
A. (Cale) “We had all these names in high school then stopped playing together for a couple of years because we were all graduating at different times. We were making a new record, Naked All the Time, and we wanted a new name. Sports was the first one that was said, Christian said it and we just went with it.”
Q. How has your music evolved since you first began? Did your music evolve with you?
A. (Christian) “Yes, I think we have all just evolved as songwriters and got more comfortable making music together. We have gotten to where even if it isn’t a good idea you can say it and no one will get offended or anything, it’s great. But it wasn’t like that in the beginning, we had to learn that. We’ve been doing it for so long that we have just grown as our individual selves and as a group.”
(Jacob) “We all record and write separately then come together and make it work as a band. It used to be where we would record the instruments and if they were cool enough we would take it to Cale for him to write the lyrics and then they could live on. We have evolved though because now I sing on some of the songs which are cool.”
(Christian) “We work with a producer who has helped us with our records like the Naked All The Time. He just influenced us and we have learned a lot from him, then when we started making music for the next record it just naturally kind of evolved from that. We had found our sound at that point.”
Q. What is the weirdest/funniest thing to ever happen to you while performing?
A. (Cale) “I jumped off the stage, which I do a lot, but where we were playing the stage was taller than most, so I bruised my heel. I had to have like a boot and a cane for the rest of the tour. I was such a baby about it. Then, someone ripped off my earring and scratched me.” (Jacob) “Last year when we played here, at the Outland, there was a girl who was pretty intoxicated, and uh she was just going around asking people to go to her party. She kept asking me and I was told her no. Later that night she came to the merchandise table and flashed me. That is the craziest thing to happen yet.”
Q. What do you do to try and stand out from the crowd?
A. (Jacob) “We bring a whole stage production and lights, we have custom shirts. I’d say that it makes us stand out from the crowd, I feel like no one else our size has a whole stage production.”
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say?
A. (Jacob) “We have a tour coming up, it isn’t over yet, we will be mostly on the east coast in November. Also, love your friends, family and, yourself. Take care of yourself, stay hydrated, and eat mostly veggies.”
Sports Instagram @sportsband
Broadwood Interview:
Answered by the vocalist Brad Thomas
Q. What is your main goal for your band?
A. “My main goal when I started Broadwood was to simply have an outlet to perform. The last few music projects I have been a part of were taken too seriously, which can quickly suck the fun out of being in a band. The project became more about branding, visuals, aesthetic, anything but writing songs and playing shows. With Broadwood it 's different, I and the guys can really just go out and have fun on stage.”
Q. If you were only able to listen to one artist for the rest of your life who would it be?
A. “If I had to choose one artist to listen to it would most definitely be Frank Ocean. You would think a question like that would be more difficult to answer, but it's always been Frank for me. One of my favorite songwriters.”
Q. What is your life like outside from “Broadwood”?
A. “I spend most of my time at the Honda dealership here in town, I'm a car salesman there. When I'm not working, I'm spending my time with my wife and our two kids. We have a 3-year-old daughter and 1 month-old baby boy. So basically when I'm not playing music, I'm living the dad life.”
Q. Has a person ever influenced your song?
A. “This record has a lot of songs that are important to me. I'd say the most significant track to me is Now You're Gone. I lost my mother to cancer a few years ago and wrote this song during that time. It's one of those songs I needed to write, but can be difficult to go back and listen to or play.”
Q. What is the best place you’ve played yet?
A. “Randy Bacon's Studio is still one of my favorite venues here in town. Believe it or not, I've never played a show outside of Springfield. Maybe the Broadwood boys will spread our wings soon, we'll see.”
Q. What do you do to try and stand out from the crowd?
A. “When it comes to songwriting and performing, I just try to be myself and have fun. I want it to be authentic. I've never liked the idea of trying too hard to appeal to certain audiences and not being yourself.”
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say?
A. “Thank you for letting us talk with you! I appreciate the opportunity to answer some questions about the band.”
Broadwood Instagram @broadwoodboys