Now I Crave Fruit
Words by
Triston
"Yaps on Record - Jujube"
*Mic taps*
Hear yee hear yee, I have come forth with yet another yap sesh.
This time featuring a local college band named Jujube, pronounced (joo-joo-bay) & they’re gonna bring the house deeowwn (this was what they said verbatim & you have to say it exactly how it reads).
Band Bio
Jujube formed in 2023 during the start of their college years in Orange CA, making music to lull your inner child to sleep. Though they branch into more somber themes of nostalgia, escapism, and hiraeth, their upbeat sound will elate your senses and make you dance.
When I asked what the name meant, they laughed - apparently it’s an Asian fruit but they just decided collectively to say it a different way.
I got the chance to chat with Elise (bass, guitar, lyrics), & Julian (drums, lyrics, production) but that’s only 50% of the band. The others, Ash (vocals, guitar, bass), and Dylan (on lead guitar & comes up with the craziest riffs known to mankind) unfortunately couldn’t make it, but they were here in spirit. Together they make up this dreamy/soundscapy quartet that sounds like what happens when Men I Trust meets Smashing Pumpkins (the best).
How They Met
It all started when Elise made a Scott Pilgrim poster asking if anyone wanted to be in a band. On it was a QR code that led to a Google Form with questions which got 50 responses. Elise and Ash actually realized they knew each other from Japanese class. About two summers ago, once Dylan, Elise, & Ash had started figuring out their sound, a mutual friend sent Julian the band’s story post (they were looking for a new drummer at the time). Once he joined Jujube officially was ready to go.
Their Influences
As I briefly mentioned above, their sound pulls inspo from bands/artists like the Smashing Pumpkins (they recently covered their song Mayonnaise). Some honorable mentions they gave were: The Beatles & Radiohead.
Fav Band Memory
They told me a bunch honestly, but specifically this past summer they played a house show at UCLA that turned into something awesome. The whole thing was vlogged by Elise and they mentioned it was one of those nights where “everything clicked and they just kept building off of each other until they couldn’t anymore”. During their song Body Keeps Score, they built it up and just popped off. Elise & Julian called it one of the best performances they’ve ever done.
Upcoming Projects
There is in fact a couple new songs on the way. As of now there isn’t a title but they shared this insane riff that Dylan created. They mentioned it plays on the nostalgia about being a kid & that weird safety you feel around your parents, when everything still felt okay. That’s all they’ll say for now; we’ll just have to wait and enjoy the full piece once it comes out. For now, here’s a bit of the guitar lick/vibe they were so kind to share with me:
What They Yap About & Behind the Stu
Just brain rot. Also something along the lines of 67 (hehe - I’m sorry). Anyways, Jujube primarily makes their music on Logic (most recently their song gas station milk), Ableton, and Pro Tools. Basically if it exists they’ve touched it.
The Stu Sesh
After the interview they immediately jammed out. I gave him a random sample from my songs to be sampled playlist which was Feather by Little Dragon & recorded them sampling it.
(Watch more stu sesh processes here: [Yaps on Record: Jujube]
The first draft of the track:
Where To Find Jujube
You can find their music on all streaming platforms and catch some of their live sets on their YouTube Channel. My personal song rec for you to check out of theirs is Gas Station Milk.
4 Song & artist recs:
lazim alshams by nabeel
Sill by EDEN
Temporary Secretary by Paul McCartney
Add up my love by Clairo
What we listened to during the interview:
Gas Station Milk by Jujube
The Downtown Lights by The Blue Nile
Romeo + Rachel Chinouriri by PinkPantheress
Feather by Little Dragon
Arrow Through Me by Wings
Ok BYEEEEEEE have a nice day :D
Originally published on Substack