Pleasure Island is thrilled to celebrate the release of their latest single and accompanying video, “Late Shift,” and they’re throwing a release party like no other. The event is set to take place at the one and only Bar Sundown in Ridgewood, and it promises to be an evening of music and merriment that you won’t want to miss.

It’s the second installment in their intriguing “cassingles” series, a concept that sets them apart in the ever-evolving music landscape. “Late Shift” was crafted in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, where the band’s enigmatic singer, Uncle Dave, spends a significant part of his year. The result is a captivating blend of retro pop, adorned with the unmistakable sounds of organs, vibraphones, and bongos, all delivered with a touch of eye-roll crooning that’s sure to leave you wanting more. But what’s the song really about? It’s a lighthearted anthem for those shameless, good-hearted souls who show up to a party fashionably late, only to find themselves in a whirlwind of chaos, complete with impromptu couch dancing and spontaneous kisses. Indie Boulevard was lucky to have an exclusive chat with the leader of the Pleasure Island band, Uncle Dave. Throughout our conversation, we were able to unearth numerous intriguing details about their new single, music video, and much more.

IB: Hey Dave, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. It’s fascinating that you chose Buenos Aires as the backdrop for writing and recording ‘Late Shift.’ Can you share what initially drew you to that city? And, perhaps more intriguingly, how did the unique atmosphere and vibe of Buenos Aires influence the creative process behind the song?

DAVE: After a brief vacation there pre-pandemic, I’ve spent the past two winters in Buenos Aires writing, recording and performing. It almost feels like a second home at this point. They call it the Paris of South America, and it really feels like that. I’m not sure if the inspiration was direct or not, but people stay out there much later than in NY. I was also listening to a lot of Argentinian classic rock while here. There’s this amazing 60’s group, Los Gatos, that I loved to cover and their organ sound may have snuck its way into the song.

IB: Alright, we’ve got to talk about this ‘surf-deprecating loungecore’ business. It’s like trying to explain why cats chase laser pointers – quirky and intriguing. Can you explain the concept behind it and how it reflects in your music, particularly in “Late Shift”?

DAVE: The term came from the guy who mastered our first EP, after having to listen to our best attempts to mush sultry genres together. The “surf-deprecating” is what happens when you grow up listening to Morrissey, but would rather listen to Santo & Johnny now. It’s ultimately just more fun for us to explore sunnier genres of music.

IB: The video for “Late Shift” is described as a comedic chaos and a pop utopia. What inspired the concept for the video?

DAVE: I sometimes foolishly dwell on how edgeless modern NY feels compared to the myth of the 1970’s. I wanted to have fun with the idea of a modern tech-working, HBO-streaming couple’s party getting crashed by Bushwick degenerate rocker types. By the end, they join us in the revelry.

IB: The music video for ‘Late Shift’ looks like an absolute blast, can you share some behind-the-scenes anecdotes or memorable moments from the video shoot?

DAVE: It was definitely the most fun I had on a Monday night this summer. It was also kind of chaotic in real life; the actors playing the couple bailed at the last minute and the camera gear broke. Luckily, my girlfriend Ana and friend Alex stepped up to play the couple and we shot it on our phones. It was a close call, but it’s always satisfying to make something work against the odds.

IB: If you could sum up the video’s vibe in one word, what would it be, and why?

DAVE: Whacky. Because that is the underlying objective.

IB: Pleasure Island’s music combines elements of bossa nova, jazz, and disco. How do you balance these diverse influences to create a cohesive sound in your songs?

DAVE: Across the styles and genres we explore, we long ago established some brand guidelines that include “no yelling”, “no power chords”, and “go easy on the sincerity”.

IB: “Late Shift” is the second installment in your “cassingles” series. Could you tell us more about this series and what listeners can expect from future installments?

DAVE: Quarantine gave us a window of time to make an LP that we may never see again (until the major labels start banging on our door of course), so we’ve decided to start releasing singles for the time being. Perhaps we’ll eventually bundle these as our greatest hits, you never know. We have a number of songs in the backlog, so we’ll be releasing them every few months. It seems to be a good fit for the modern oversaturated media landscape and accompanying attention span.

IB: Pleasure Island’s music is often described as catchy and enjoyable. How do you approach songwriting to achieve this balance between simplicity and entertainment?

DAVE: I’m rarely the most noble or intelligent guy in the room, so I don’t feel qualified to tell anyone how to live or indulge in poetry. I have game show host genes. I fought it for some years, but I can’t deny nature. They say be yourself; when I started to do that, the songs got better.

IB: The release party for “Late Shift” at Bar Sundown sounds exciting. What can fans expect from your live performance?

DAVE: We have been really lucky in the last year since Kolby Koczanowski from the band Pair of Sloths has started playing vibraphone with us. It adds this technicolor layer to everything we do, and he’s a rad performer too. We’ve also begun to use electronic beats behind our tunes, which has been known to get folks dancing.

IB: And the last question. Paint us a picture of the ideal party on Pleasure Island. What would the setting be like, who would be the guest of honor, and what music tracks would be on the ultimate party playlist:)

DAVE: Ha, I love this. I’m thinking about one of those pools in the back of a stretch limo, but we’re driving through midtown in November and everyone is waving as we pass by. “Steal my Sunshine” by Len is on repeat and Mark McGrath is driving.

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