angst and social grace

Photographs By Rick Perez

Southern California band Sept opens up about coping mechanisms, their most memorable shows, and the story behind their latest single, “Bumpkin”.

Los Angeles, USA

What is the Sept origin story?

It all started in 8th grade middle school when Caleb Ervin and I (Ben Ochoa) met. I was walking on the track in the P.E. field, and I was approached by Caleb and his friend at the time Aiden Wilson. Just by the looks of me and my little Emo Punk attire they had made a bet that I couldn’t rap. Which I definitely would’ve assumed as well if I was them hahah. So he walks up to me and starts playing a beat telling me to rap to this beat. I was all like “Man I don’t really rap or nothin I listen to punk” he was all like “this is all you man!” So I started spitting some random stuff and they were messing with it so, we started hanging out.

That eventually led to us trying become a rap duo, so we made some bad rap songs on SoundCloud and whatever hahah. Then we tried to have our first Rap Show but really just a few friends showed up and ate our Pizza. So I was already playing the guitar a little at that point, and I just happened to have a drum kit I got from an old neighbor of mine. So I just asked Caleb to give it a try and he started picking it up real fast and we starting playing together and writing songs. Then my cousin Matt Pagano picked up the Bass guitar and we started off our first few shows as a three piece.

Eventually, through playing shows, we met Misa Lara (our guitarist) from playing with his band “Deth Coast”. The first time Misa met me he asked me “Yo you’re that guy from Sept right? You’re Ben?” And I said “No” and started walking away hahah!! For some reason we thought it was funny to that sometimes being 15 years old and all. Eventually we’d come to meet again and I wouldn’t deny my identity, we clicked really well and later on down the road we asked him to start playing with us, and boom just like that you have the Sept you know today. The name of the band comes from a combo of smoking weed and Google translate.

What have you learned along your journey as a band?

When we were younger we kinda had this idea that as long as we kept playing shows and making good music that one day some guy in a suit would show up, sign us, and give us a house on the beach. Of course that was crazy of us to think and we had learn that there was a lot more to being a band than just good music and tight playing. It takes social media presence, networking, money, risks, and then on top off all that GOOD music. I also think that you have to put a lot of thought into the art you’re making and make it not only meaningful but cohesive and catchy. There’s lots of songs that I can relate to out there, but the ones I go back to are usually set to a catchy melody or tune.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Angsty, sad, and rad !

For each band member, what is your favorite song to perform live?

For me personally, it’s gotta be “Boy Toy (batteries not included)” - Ben

I’d have to pick probably “Build A Bong Workshop” - Matt

I like “Build A Bong” - Caleb

My favorite song to play is either “Build A Bong” or “Boy Toy” I like them both ! - Misa

For each member, which shows have been your most memorable and why?

My favorite experience with the bois was when we played Viva Pomona 2023 !! I feel like that was one our biggest and most interactive crowds we’ve ever played for. It was great opportunity and we appreciate them for giving us a shot ! - Ben

The Glasshouse Pomona with Together PANGEA and Tijuana Panthers ! It was the first show I brought my little brother to, and he thought we were actually famous. He was everywhere asking the other bands questions about their touring and what not. It was cool to play with the bands that I grew up listening to. - Caleb

Most memorable show for me was the first time we played the paramount, because it was the first time it felt like majority of the crowd was like singing the words back - Matt

My favorite show was the Glasshouse with Together PANGEA and Tijuana Panthers !! One of the first big shows that I played with Sept, I was stoked ! Shoutout to Viva for hooking us up with that one ! - Misa

You are sharing your latest single, "Bumpkin". What is this song about?

This song is about a really bad Halloween that I had during my Freshman year in highschool. I was depressed, the girl I liked didn’t like me, I was using pills, and abusing alcohol and marijuana. It’s about coping with substances and running away from your problems. I created the term “Bumpkin” as a combination of the word Bump, and Pumpkin. It also means someone who is unsophisticated and lacks social grace. It’s mostly used in the countryside but I feel that definition applies to the meaning of the song as well.

How does "Bumpkin" stand out from your previous releases?

I’m not stranger to being open and honest in my song writing about my struggles with addiction and coping mechanisms. Most of my songs however only mention these themes in passing or added onto songs about love and relationships and the part they play in all of that. This song however is kind of the opposite of that with the main point being about struggles with substance abuse, with the background of it just being a mention here and there about what problems I was having relationship wise.

How does it show your growth as a band?

We took a lot of time to refine it and make sure that we were coming out with the best version and sound possible with the resources we had available. We were very focused on making sure that it was worth the 2 year wait for us to release music for our fans !

How did the song come to life?

This song was actually written a long time ago in 2020 the first year of us being a band. The original version of the demo is still on our SoundCloud to this day. I created the song around the same time we were making the “Doggy-EP” along with a second song that was never officially released called “Euphoria” which I didn’t put out because it was just a “Beach Community” by Joyce Manor rip off hahah. I didn’t end up releasing “Bumpkin” either just because at the time I didn’t think it was good enough. I was very self critical about the music I was making in the early years. However, as time goes on I’ve grown to appreciate a lot of those old unreleased demos, and I just felt “Bumpkin” would be the perfect song to put out for our first track in a long time so that the OG fans could finally get it on all platforms, and newer fans could also get familiar with, and appreciate the song.

If "Bumpkin" can be part of a soundtrack to any movie, which movie would it be?

There’s a few movies that I think it could be thrown into, most are horror movies of course hahah, but “Green Room” “Scream (2022)” and maybe if it was still around “Freaks and Geeks”

What is next for Sept?

We’ve been in the studio a whole lot recently working on some new stuff that we’re very excited to release. In my opinion it’s some of the best music we’ve ever made, but we made it so I guess I’m biased hahah. However I think it’s the next biggest step in our evolution as a band. We’ve also got some music videos lined up for songs that already out just to give them the attention and content they deserve before we move on to our newer projects, and the next chapter for us.