One of my favorite parts about Treefort Music Festival is being in a tiny room that somehow passes for a venue, only a few feet away from a band I’ve never seen before, or frankly had even heard of until the gigantic lineup of 450+ artists is released, looking more like movie credits than a festival poster.
For me, the highlight of the 5-day festival this year was in The Olympic on Saturday afternoon, when I got the chance to see Portland-based band The Apricots. The Olympic is a homey, wooden naturally-lit venue that really seemed like an old tavern or pub. After walking up the flight of stairs to get to the main area, I was in awe of the last few hours of sunlight pouring through the big windows from the side of the building to the ceiling. Some venues are simply made for certain bands or music, and this venue perfectly encapsulated The Apricots’ heavenly harmonies and energy they brought to the nearly packed space.
After listening to a few of their tracks online, I knew I had to interview them. I had the chance to sit down with Molly Evered and Chloe Serkissian at a coffee shop, drink Matcha and learn all about their background, influences, and plans for the future.
The Apricots are composed of five members: Molly Evered (keys and vocals), Chloe Serkissian (guitar and harmonies), Jeremy Reeves (bass and vocals), Jake Mackie (guitar) and Logan Hazen (drums). The music they create together is a branch of indie-folk rock with sensual and groovy elements interwoven throughout.
When asked how they would describe their music as a flavor, Chloe says “Phish Food from Ben & Jerry’s” noting the rich chocolate intertwined with caramel and gooey marshmallow. Molly answered with “A snow cone with cherry, tiger’s blood, blue raspberry and a blueberry muffin.” The band name is an anagram from a previous musical project, but maybe it’s an ode to how sweet the flavor of their music is.
Molly and Chloe met as random roommates back in college where they attended school in Portland, Oregon. The two complement each other impeccably well. Molly said, “Chloe is at the heart [of] what the song is—she’s the folky one, likes the oldies.” Chloe notes her biggest influences as Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Neil Young. Whereas Molly adds the sparkle. She jazzes up the songs just like her secret talent of jazzing up ramen (her hidden talent is making any instant ramen taste like it’s from a restaurant).
A collective influence for the band is a femme Portland group called JOSEPH. Both groups have distinguishable harmonies that are both powerful and lullaby-like. Three-part harmonies are an extremely important part of The Apricot’s music, as well as the storytelling aspect of their lyrics. Some of that folk-like storytelling is seen from Chloe’s influence of folk heroes, but the group has their very own twist on their original lyrics. The two agreed that songwriting and playing their music emerge as a “self therapy session” when their deep feelings need somewhere to go.
Their latest release is a live EP titled “The Apricots Live from Stone Fruit Studios,” and it’s what got me hooked. The group is almost done recording their first full-length album, which is scheduled to be released within the year. The new record is more psychedelic than pop, and it deals with the issue of trying to figure out what’s going on in the world. There’s a track called “Twenties” about how being in your twenties is not what you thought it was going to be. It’s about a time in everyone’s life that feels like the world is falling apart even though it’s supposed to be opening up. The rest of the album covers all the other universal experiences: there are songs about breakups, friendships, relationships and vacations. Overall, the group is experimenting with a ton of new sounds.
Both Molly and Chloe hope that in five years they can be living the dream of “paying rent with music,” and all the other bills and expenses that have occurred from being a full-time worker and a growing musician.
The Apricots have opened for Drugdealer at the Aladdin Theater in Portland and are manifesting a collaboration with Madison Cunningham or Anna Tivel. Keep an eye out for their highly anticipated album later this year, and make sure to stream The Apricots wherever you get your music.
Check out their latest EP titled “The Apricots Live from Stone Fruit Studio”. The tracks “I Don’t Think You Need Me Anymore” and “Slow” show how multi-faceted their dream-like music truly is. You can also follow The Apricots on Instagram @apricotsband to see all the latest updates on tours and shows.
Thank you to Treefort Music Festival for the opportunity and, of course, Molly and Chloe for taking the time to give us some insight into The Apricots.
