Pool Kids Talk ‘Easier Said Than Done’ & DIY Spirit

Last Updated on 2025-08-15 by a-indie

Promoting messages like “anyone can do what Pool Kids does,” “anyone can start a band,” “anyone can make an album,” and “everyone has the right to chase their dreams,”

Pool Kids gives confidence to live kids through their independent activities.

They are a four-piece alternative band from Tallahassee, Florida, who already have a history of performing with established local bands.

Pool Kids’ third album ‘Easier Said Than Done’ is their first work after signing with America’s prestigious label “Epitaph.”

The studio session costs for this work were funded by money steadily saved from years of touring activities. ‘Easier Said Than Done’ is finished as the ultimate alternative pop work that arrived after striving to return to their roots and pursuing “music that feels authentic to themselves.”

In this interview, we looked back at the band’s journey so far, unraveled the production background of their latest work ‘Easier Said Than Done,’ and heard stories that would serve as encouragement for young bands in the scene.

Pool Kids Formation and Meeting

Artist: Christine Goodwyne　Interviewer: Yuuki Takita　Translation/Editing/Proofreading: BELONG Media / A-indie

Formation Background

-Yuuki Takita: We are a media outlet that values artists’ roots, the background behind their music, and the music, culture, and art that influenced them. Since this is our first interview together, let me start by asking about the band’s formation. You’re a four-piece band from Tallahassee, Florida, right? How did these four members meet and come to form the band?

Christine :Yes, we are a four-piece band and we claim Tallahassee as our hometown as that is where we formed and first started playing shows. We were all raised in different parts of Florida: I (Christine) am from Tampa, Nicolette is from Gainesville, Caden is from Vero Beach, and Andy is from Miami. Caden, Nicolette, and myself all moved to Tallahassee for college, and met through the music scene there.

The band started out with just Caden and I as a two-piece, and I would book us shows in my backyard with touring DIY bands that were passing through. We wanted to eventually find a permanent bassist and second guitarist, but took our time finding the right people. I eventually met Nicolette through the college radio station that we both DJ’ed at, WVFS Tallahassee, and asked her to be in the band after she had played a few good shows filling in for my other band at the time Cough Drop, and Caden’s other band at the time Faking Jazz. Andy came along after we had been struggling to find a guitarist that was able to tour as frequently as we wanted to. We knew of him from his involvement with so many other Florida bands over the years, but didn’t think to ask if he’d be interested in playing with us until two of our mutual friends suggested it. Lon Beshiri, who recorded our debut LP, and my now boyfriend Nick Nottebaum, were both good friends with Andy dating back to high school, so when they told us that he might be interested, we asked right away. It’s been just the four of us ever since!

Initial Direction

-Yuuki Takita: What was the band’s initial direction or what kind of music did you want to make when you first formed?

When Caden and I first started writing our debut record, I was very inspired by the local Tallahassee bands that were playing in the house show scene at the time, particularly the band (now inactive) Echo Base. More than anything, I loved the energy in their crowds and I loved their interesting guitar parts, so I really wanted to make something similar. Writing songs with interesting guitar parts and vocal parts that I could picture people singing along to at house shows was my main goal with that record. Now, we are a fully formed band and have grown into something very different, but that was the band’s “initial” direction.

Band Attitude and Influence

The Message “Anyone Can Start”

-Yuuki Takita: In materials introducing you, it mentions that you promote messages like “anyone can do what Pool Kids does,” “anyone can start a band,” “anyone can make an album,” and “everyone has the right to chase their dreams.” Could you tell me more about this? I’d like to know specifically what feelings drive you to convey these messages and what motivates your activities.

I’ve been playing guitar since the day I turned 10, but it never once occurred to me that I could start a band myself until I was about 21 years old and saw other women doing it around me. I don’t know why representation works that way, but sometimes you really do just need to see someone that reminds you of yourself doing the thing you want in order for it to feel attainable. I really wish someone had shaken me years earlier and said “you should start a band!”, so we try to be that push for other people. Sometimes we say it at our shows, and women will come up to us afterwards telling us how that was the one thing they needed to hear before doing it.. so it must be working!

Florida as Hometown

-Yuuki Takita: I understand that this album contains many descriptions of Florida landscapes and very specific scenes you witnessed during tours. So I’m curious—what kind of place is Florida from your perspective? I’m interested in the environment, people, and music scene.

I mean, more than anything, Florida just feels like home. It’s a very hot, sticky, humid place infested with roaches and mosquitoes, but the sun is literally always shining so bright and I’ve come to really appreciate that after touring so much of the rest of the world and seeing how rare that is. The political landscape is nightmare-ish, but there are still good people here that stick together. The music scene is very different in every city, but I do feel like there is a strong sense of community across the entire state. Bands from Florida really support each other.

Inspiration from Collaborations

-Yuuki Takita: You’ve also shared the stage with bands like The Mountain Goats, PUP, Beach Bunny, La Dispute, and Sunny Day Real Estate. How were those collaborations? I’d like to know your impressions and if you received any inspiration from them.

Every single one of those tours were a wonderful experience for us. We have been so, so lucky with the bands that have taken us on tour. Each and every one of them was inspiring in a different way, but we always leave tours feeling in some way inspired or motivated by whoever we were opening for.

Origin of Band Name

-Yuuki Takita: Please also tell me about your band name. Why did you choose the name “Pool Kids”? Could you also explain the meaning behind the band name “Pool Kids”?

There isn’t really a deeper meaning behind the name Pool Kids. Caden and I had been practicing for months with no band name when we started back in 2017, and we finally had our first show coming up so we NEEDED to decide on a name to add it to the flyer. I posted on facebook asking for people to send me their notes app lists of band name ideas. They were all horrible suggestions, but Pool Kids seemed the least egregious of the suggestions, so that’s what we’ve been rolling with. To this day I am still not crazy about it.

Influential Albums

-Yuuki Takita: Hayley Williams from Paramore has publicly stated she’s a fan of yours. Could you tell me about three albums that influenced your music? Also, please explain what aspects influenced you and any related episodes for each album. If that’s difficult, please share each member’s favorite music album and related episodes.

Great Grandpa – Four of Arrows
This record is a favorite amongst the band, and is ultimately what inspired us to work with Mike Vernon Davis, who produced both our self-titled record as well as ‘Easier Said Than Done’.

Andy Shauf – The Neon Skyline
The songwriting on this album inspired me because even though it feels so specific and personal to someone else’s life, it was still able to get an emotional reaction out of me and felt addicting. It made me less afraid to get really specific and personal with my lyrics.

Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now
This feels like the gateway album that got me fully into pop music. Ever since then I have really prioritized making things “catchy”, trying to write hooks, and playing with rhythm and melody in a way that is pleasing to the ear rather than just impressive to other musicians, etc.

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