20.01.20
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It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Best Coast (nearly five years, to be exact). The Los Angeles duo, made up of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, first arrived with their sun-soaked debut album Crazy For You in 2010 – a blissful iteration of surf rock, with Cosentino’s breezy vocals evoking the West Coast warmth that’s proven such a lasting influence.

Four albums later and the pair have finessed their distinct sound, incorporating indie pop, garage rock and folk into songs that tackle the pains of growing up – a subject that never gets old. With a new album on the horizon, we spoke to Cosentino about her journey so far.

What’s your earliest childhood memory?

Seeing my dad play guitar at home. I owe my career to those moments.

What annoys you the most?

White supremacy.

How would your friends describe you in three words?

Funny, caring, annoying.

Favourite meme?

The one of the dog sitting in a room on fire saying, “This is fine”. I really feel that.

What would you want written on your tombstone?

“She tried her best.”

Best survival tip for 2019?

Self care.

What’s your worst habit?

Smoking cigarettes. I keep quitting and relapsing, it’s so annoying.

The best thing about the internet?

Having a voice, a community, and getting shit done.

The worst thing about the internet?

Giving a voice to people that have bigoted views.

Best tip for looking chic?

Sunscreen.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

My mom got me a Joni Mitchell 1976 tour letterman jacket. It’s so beautiful, I now have it hanging on the wall because I never want to lose it.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Learn to let things go.

What makes you feel nostalgic?

Music that I listened to in my formative years. I can listen to a Blink 182 song and be immediately transported back to middle school.

What piece of advice would you give young Bethany?

It gets a lot better.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

Walk away from destructive patterns in my life that I knew weren’t good for me, but I struggled leaving behind.

Have you read anything good lately?

The Little Book of Self Care for Scorpios. It’s really sweet.

What’s the weirdest party you’ve ever been to?

We played Billie Joe Armstrong’s surprise 40th birthday party and Joan Jett and Lars from Metallica were there. His wife booked us because we were his favourite band at the time. Very bizarre.

Favourite food?

I love eating any food that can be eaten in a bowl – rice, beans, stuff from the land. My palette is very boring.

What’s your biggest fear?

Guns. It’s scary living in a country where a mass shooting could happen anywhere.

What’s the biggest realisation you’ve had in 2019?

I orchestrate my own chaos and I’m really good at getting in my own way. I realised I don’t have to continue doing things that are very broken. We’re capable of re-learning.

Best Coast’s new album Always Tomorrow is out 21 February