Perennial has never been a band interested in staying inside the lines. With their upcoming album Modernism, the group pushes their unique blend of punk urgency, pop sensibility, and experimental curiosity into a vibrant new era. Described as “technicolor punk,” the record is a colorful collision of garage rock energy, Motown-inspired hooks, krautrock textures, and unexpected sonic twists.
While Modernism may draw inspiration from the past, Perennial approaches those influences through a distinctly modern lens creating something that feels both familiar and unpredictable. The album acts as a continuation of the artistic world they began exploring on Art History, expanding their fascination with culture, design, and the connection between music and visual expression.
We spoke with Perennial about the creative process behind Modernism, the influence of mod culture, balancing experimentation with accessibility, and their vision for creating an album that invites listeners to return again and again.
Your album Modernism feels like both a celebration and a critique of garage rock. What inspired you to take that approach?
“That’s a really interesting read! I’m not sure if we ever consciously critique garage rock as a sound or aesthetic, but there is definitely a playfulness and a bit of surrealism in how we approach those sonic ingredients. It’s sort of a collage aesthetic — gluing layers of things we love together to create something new.”
You describe the album as “technicolor punk.” What does that phrase mean to you, and how does it capture the record’s identity?
“With “technicolor punk,” we wanted to capture something that feels stylistically rich, but also energetic and kinetic. The hope is that we’re making something people can dance to, but also something they can sit down with their best headphones and experience as a piece of art — something with nuance, depth, and texture.”
Was there a particular song that set the creative direction for the rest of Modernism?
““What’s New On The Beat Scene” was the song where we realized, “Alright, this is the recipe. This is the thesis statement.” It has fuzz bass, mellotron, tambourine, and all these Sixties pop ingredients, but they’re being used to create fast, bombastic punk music. That really gave us a sense of where we were heading with Modernism.“
What does the title Modernism represent beyond the music itself?
“It represents a few different things. It’s definitely a reference to Sixties mod culture — the love of soul and R&B, fashion, French New Wave cinema, pop art, and bands like The Who and The Creation, which we love.
It’s also a continuation of our previous album Art History. What comes after art history? Modern art. So in a way, Modernism feels like a sequel and an extension of that world.”
The record blends experimental sounds with infectious hooks. How do you balance accessibility with experimentation?
“Our instincts naturally come from Motown, The Beatles, and The Jam, so hooks, choruses, and pop structures are already built into how we write songs. We think in that language.
Once we have those foundations, we like exploring ways to make things more impressionistic or surprising. Maybe the verse works better with a drum machine and synth bass instead of guitar. It’s like making a familiar recipe but adding a surprising ingredient or two.“
Your music pulls from punk, soul, Motown, krautrock, and experimental music. How do you keep those influences from becoming overwhelming during the writing process?
“We trust our instincts. We’ve become really good editors — Chelsey especially — and we’ve learned to recognize when something feels right for Perennial.
Even when we try something completely unexpected or far outside our comfort zone, it somehow always finds its way back into what makes Perennial feel like Perennial.”
Were there any unexpected artists or albums that influenced Modernism?
“Fatboy Slim, early ’60s Tom Jones, and Portishead are probably some less obvious influences for us, but they all ended up becoming part of the mix, even if it was just a fleeting idea.”
Chad mentioned wanting to write something between “Kick Out the Jams” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” How did those influences shape the final version of the song?
“A great Perennial song should work both on the dance floor and on a hi-fi system. I think of those two songs as representing the extremes of “visceral, kinetic garage rock” and “impressionistic art music,” but both songs also contain elements of the opposite.
That contrast is something we’re always chasing.”
Why did “Modernism” feel like the right title track for the album?
“Interestingly, it worked the other way around. We had the title first, and I deliberately sat down to write a title track that would open the album with real electricity.
The same thing happened with “Art History.” We want our album openers and title tracks to feel like a thrilling opening scene — something that immediately pulls you into the world of the record.”
The “Modernism” video has a distinct visual identity. How did you want the visuals to reflect the album’s themes?
“The video is a moving collage of what “modernism” means to us. It captures the multifaceted nature of the album through midcentury modern aesthetics, artists and icons connected to mod culture, and abstract pop art imagery.
It’s almost like a 90-second snapshot of the album’s influences and ideas.‘
Do you approach music videos as an extension of songwriting or as a separate creative outlet?
“The videos come later in the process, but we want everything to feel connected. We always say Perennial is an art project rather than just a band.
Every part of it — the songs, album covers, show flyers, merchandise, videos, and even what we wear on stage — is intentional and designed to fit together.”
What do you hope listeners discover after spending time with Modernism from start to finish?
“I hope they discover an album where, as soon as Side B ends, they’re already flipping it back over to Side A.
My favorite art is something that makes me think but is also enjoyable to spend time with — something I return to because I want to spend more time inside that world. Hopefully Modernism creates that feeling for people.”
Is there a song on the album you feel deserves more attention beyond the singles?
“I’m really excited for people to hear “Granny Smith Apple.” We experimented with some new ideas on that song, and I think people will find something special there.”
After Modernism, are there any genres or sounds you’re eager to explore next?
“A double album.”
With Modernism, Perennial continue to prove that punk can be colorful, experimental, and endlessly imaginative. By blending the energy of garage rock with the ambition of pop art, the band has created a record that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a fully realized creative universe one built to be explored repeatedly.
Tour Dates:
July 24 – Nice A Fest – Somerville, MA (w/ Downtown Boys, Krill, SAD13) Tickets
August 12 – Portland, OR – Turn! Turn! Turn! Tickets
August 13 – Corvallis, OR – Interzone
August 14 – Seattle, WA – Belltown Yacht Club Tickets
August 15 – Anacortes, WA – The Business
August 16 – Bellingham, WA – The Blue Room
August 17 – Olympia, WA – The Mortuary
September 16 – New Haven, CT – The Space Ballroom Tickets
September 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool (w/ Oceanator)
September 18 – Washington, D.C. – Comet Ping Pong
September 19 – Boston, MA – Deep Cuts (w/ Sinaloa & Miracle Blood)
October 8 – Oxford, UK – The Library Tickets
October 9 – Brighton, UK
October 10 – Liverpool, UK – Outpost
October 11 – Leeds, UK – Grindhouse
October 13 – Nottingham, UK – JT Soar Tickets
October 14 – Coventry, UK – Just Dropped In Tickets
October 15 – Manchester, UK – The Modernist Tickets
October 16 – London, UK – The Cavendish Arms Tickets
Perennial: Modernism
Track List
1. Modernism
2. Perennial ’65
3. Cloak & Dagger
4. Me and The Magpie
5. Granny Smith Apple
6. The Shadow
7. What’s New On The Beat Scene
8. Baby, Are You Abstract?
9. Ready! Steady! Go!
10. Emma Peel
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