The Strength of Compromise: An Interview with Flipturn

      Flipturn has been steadily gaining momentum since the release of their debut album ‘Shadowglow’ in 2022. The Florida-based five-piece performed their first shows in Europe last year, including two at London’s MOTH Club, and launched their second album ‘Burnout Days’ in January, shortly after their appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

      The band consists of Dillon Basse (vocals), Tristan Duncan (guitar), Madeline Jarman (bass), Mitch Fountain (guitar, synth), and Devon VonBalson (drums, percussion). The first three members founded the group in high school and welcomed the latter two after they went to college.

      As they prepare for a jam-packed spring and summer, along with additional European performances later in the year, CLASH spoke with the entire band to check in on their progress, gauge fan reactions to their new album, and hear their thoughts on the UK.

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      What has been the response to ‘Burnout Days’ thus far?

      Mitch: It seems like everyone is really liking it, which is fantastic! We’ll get a better sense of it once we start touring and playing live shows. That’s when we truly find out which songs resonate most with the audience.

      Which tracks from the album are your current favorites?

      Mitch: I really enjoy ‘Swim Between Trees’, ‘Right?’, ‘Burnout Days’, and ‘Window’; those are my top picks, but it changes every day!

      When did you begin working on this album, and has your creative process evolved as you’ve aged?

      Dillon: We started working on the album in the summer of 2023. We went on a two-week writing retreat to the outskirts of Asheville, North Carolina.

      In terms of our process, I’d say it’s remained quite consistent as we’ve developed as a band. The main difference is our changing tastes and our ability to collaborate effectively during the writing process.

      What has it been like working together for such a long time? How do you handle disagreements?

      Madeline: Fortunately, we don’t have too many disagreements, but we all understand the importance of compromise. If there are conflicting ideas for a song section, we generally manage to find a good middle ground or combine our ideas. My bandmates feel like family, so any minor disputes usually get resolved pretty quickly!

      What was your experience like on Jimmy Kimmel Live?

      Madeline: It was an incredible experience! I’m a big fan of the show, so I tried to temper my expectations, but that day truly exceeded what I had hoped for!

      Everyone was very welcoming and took excellent care of us. We also felt a lot of support from our hometown, which was wonderful to know that we had fans cheering for us across the country.

      With a busy spring ahead, are you prepared to hit the road?

      Devon: Absolutely! I’m incredibly ready and excited! Many of our new songs are among my favorites to perform now. I get chills just imagining the key moments of the show we’ve worked on, and I can’t wait to share this new album with everyone!

      How did you find your UK shows in November, and how does it feel to return later this year?

      Tristan: They were honestly such a blast! The UK welcomed us warmly, and we truly enjoyed our time there. We’re all looking forward to returning in November and are super excited to perform at the O2 Forum.

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      Words: Adam England