What’s Your Favorite Color?

  HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA- The house near the back of the cul de sac seems like any other in that neighborhood: It’s tan, two story, with a white gate and a garage. But out of the window drifts the sound of synthesizers, vocals, guitars and drum beats. 

  “That was so sick now lets try adding Nicky’s part here, ” says Matt Warren, the lead vocalist/ frontman of the band known as Your Favorite Color. 

   Your Favorite Color is five piece alternative indie rock band consisting of Luke Fuhrman on the drums, Ari Miranda on the bass, David Silveria on guitar, Nicky Neighbors on the keys, and Matt Warren with vocals and guitar, all out of Huntington Beach. Influenced by one another and similar rising artists in the industry, the band is different compared to most musicians in today's millennial society. They are not in it for the fame or fortune, the group all has a true passion for music. They want to provide music for every person and every mood despite genre differences, and are very adamant on staying true to themselves along the way. 

  “As long as its true to us, we don't want to do some fake sh*t,” says Matt about the group’s music decisions. 

SURROUNDING INFLUENCES

  The entire band grew up spending their early and late teen years scattered about Huntington Beach. Though they lived throughout the northern and southern parts of Huntington, a common theme that influences both their music and them personally would be the surf culture, which can be seen in all people and parts of Huntington. 

  “Whether it's surfing, a break up, a crazy party, if the memory carries a strong emotion it usually shows itself in our music,” says David Silveria, the lead guitarist of the group. 

  If it weren’t for their shared culture of the typical surf and beach lifestyle their music may differ completely. All of the band’s personal influences range in a variety of genres and musicians. Some may prefer a more poppy type of tone such Luke, who is influenced by bands such as Foster the People and The 1975, whereas others, like Nicky, may prefer the harder type of rock artists such as Muse. But, as a collective unit they each bring something new and different to the table providing their listeners with the perfect color/tone of music. Hence the newly established meaning of the band name Your Favorite Color, though it originated from their song “Your Favorite Color is Red and Mine is Blue” they feel their new meaning behind their band name expresses who they want to be as artists. 

PERFORMANCES

  The group has performed in several different cities around California but the coolest experience they’ve had so far was the opportunity to perform at Springboard Fest in San Diego. Here, they had the chance to meet and work with mentors and investors as well as other bands from different areas. This festival opened a lot of doors for them but some of their favorite shows to play are closer to home. 

  “My favorite show I’ve been to of theirs would probably have to be one at Black Bull, I went by myself and I had a blast,” says Tara Shaughnessy, a fan of Your Favorite Color who has attended several of their shows. 

  At these shows the group really captivates their audience. In a video from their performance at The Whiskey, you can see the group performing to their fullest, jumping around, having fun, but still remaining intact like natural born performers.  Moshing, dancing, or even just head bobbing can be seen throughout the crowds at every venue which means they are pleasing their listeners and clearly doing something right. 

  “Those boys always put on an exciting show, tons of energy, and they’re just simply great players,” says a member from the band Moontower, who has worked with Your Favorite Color in the past. 

  The guys all agree, if they could perform for the rest of their lives they would and that mentality and love is what drives their passion for this band and music. 

HEADED UP

  The groups single ‘Heartache’ recently premiered on KROQ Locals Only with Kat Corbett, and that's just the start for where they are heading. Their first EP will arrive on May 18th as well as a show toward the end of the month. Even with this chaos, their love and passion for what they do remains, as well as their desire to accomplish something greater. That greater purpose is simple, their listeners. They want to provide music and fun for every individual, work that they are proud of and is true to them. Ari describes the group like missionaries, spreading their music and trying to influence others along the way. 

  “I think the biggest thing is to change at least someone's way of thinking… I want to see them [the audience] realize how much they can actually do with their own lives no matter who/what that is,” says Ari about his accomplishment goals for the band.  

  For these guys it's the small things that make this love for music and performing worthwhile. 

*NOTE: this story was originally written in 2018 for a class at CSULB and was later published