With several hours before set time, I sit with the band in the wide, echo-y green room of The Palace Theatre. Laughter is the common sound in FRENSHIP’s green room, as they tease each other, loudly sing Bastille songs with improvised lyrics, and warm-up with varying degrees of focus. As Brett starts to change, James shouts, “hey no shirt!” before pausing and laughing, “I couldn’t think of one sexy thing to say there.” Danny chuckles as he plans how he’ll try to knock Brett off balance as they crouch during the beginning of “Morrison”. As Brett and James head to another room for pre-show interviews, I ask Danny and Celeste about their respective journeys in music and am struck at the similarities of their stories.
Danny began music at a young age, playing piano and trumpet, eventually convincing his parents to let him try guitar (by playing his mom “Stairway to Heaven” after guitar camp). Despite his musical interest, he initially decided to pursue comedy. His mom, recognizing his musical skill, told Danny that he needed to attend college for music. “It’s what you’re meant to do,” she had told him. It only takes a few moments of listening to his seemingly effortless, intricate performing to see how right she was. After college, Danny moved to LA, moving into the same building as James and starting a band with JR. Several years later, he would meet Celeste in a songwriting meet-up. “Danny’s the glue,” Celeste says matter-of-factly.
As for FRENSHIP’s youngest member, a life pursuing music was never a question. After an adolescence of learning piano and guitar then focusing on songwriting and performing throughout college, Celeste moved to LA without a specific plan-she knew only that music was the goal. Like Brett, Celeste saw no option but making it work. “The second you feel negative about it, the second it stops working,” she says. Danny nods intently, “if you have a backup plan, that’ll be your final plan.” With this, the pair reaffirms the vigorous optimism that seems to be at the core of FRENSHIP’s actions.
Back in the green room after their set, the band sits discussing the show. James is animatedly trying to convince Celeste to move towards center stage earlier during her verses of “Capsize”. “I always try to move you forward!” he says. “It’s your moment, you need to own it.” Celeste sighs and pushes back, “I do go forward! I just have a specific timing for it. And yeah, that was quite the push tonight,” she teases. Brett laughs, exaggeratedly miming shoving at Celeste, “Go on kid, get!” Despite the jokes, James’s point is undeniable. Capsize is Celeste’s moment. Her voice possesses a stirring electricity, gentle yet commanding. Each night, her performance during “Capsize” sparks a raucous response from the crowd that extends beyond the song’s popularity. Though the audience’s initial enthusiasm sparks from its recognition to the hit song, as the verses progress and Celeste’s commanding voice takes hold of the chorus, a distinct shift occurs. The entire audience responds with cheers as they recognize something so special.
James’s total willingness to give the moment over to Celeste serves as a testament to the genuine fondness the band holds for each other. Despite Brett and James’s hit song being one without their voices on the chorus, they have so wholly bought into FRENSHIP that it doesn’t matter. A triumph for Celeste is a triumph for them all.
