Last Updated on 2025-08-15 by a-indie
‘Easier Said Than Done’ Production
DIY and Label Relationship
-Yuuki Takita: You operate independently without being bound to a label. Your DIY spirit of funding studio sessions through money steadily saved from years of touring while actively pursuing your music appears very admirable, but could you tell me about the advantages and disadvantages of this approach? Many Japanese bands we currently feature also operate independently, and I think hearing about this from a band that’s achieved success like yours could serve as a reference for young Japanese bands.
We are signed to Epitaph now, but yes we funded the record ourselves upfront and recorded it all before partnering with them. The main benefit of doing it yourself is that you have total control over how you want to do things, and don’t have to worry about anyone else’s opinion while you’re in the zone. You can work with whoever you desire, make whatever creative decisions you want. It can be very empowering. However I will say that there are many labels out there, Epitaph and Skeletal Lightning included, that do let artists have full creative control. I think it’s mainly major labels that can be creatively restraining. Regardless, it makes us very proud to say that we made this record happen all on our own.
Title Background and Theme
-Yuuki Takita: From here, let me ask about the album ‘Easier Said Than Done’. First, about the title. What emotions or atmosphere does the title “Easier Said Than Done” reflect?
This album was born out of a lot of frustration with myself. I explore in the album a lot of things I wish I could change about myself and my life, but have not been successful in doing so. In telling these stories, some other underlying themes started to surface; themes of tour, love, sacrifice, failure, passion, regret, and following dreams. Ultimately though, the lyric “If only I could let go, it’s easier said than done” titled the album, because my inability to let things go and just enjoy literally anything is definitely the biggest thing I wish I could change about myself and my life.
Recording Process
-Yuuki Takita: I understand you created ‘Easier Said Than Done’ in Seattle with Mike Vernon Davis, continuing from your previous work. What kind of discussions and idea exchanges did you have with him? Comparing it to your previous work, while the previous album had a solid worldview and an overall serious atmosphere, this work has a refreshing impression that’s musically pleasant and feels like the ultimate alternative pop work with a freshness derived from neo acoustic elements.
This time around, we came to Mike with a batch of songs that were all fully written and finished. Last time, there was still work that needed to be done on a lot of the songs, so we spent a lot of studio time playing with structure, and making the songs whole. This time we had a lot more time to discuss things like key changes, and tone experimentation.
Band Discussions
-Yuuki Takita: In the album materials, bassist Nicolette commented that “we tried new ideas on the spot, rewriting the songs themselves, keys, chord progressions, and phrases many times. We created the whole thing from ‘the entire band’s perspective,’ using an even more precise microscopic viewpoint than before.” What kind of discussions actually took place between members? What kind of music were you envisioning as your goal during production, and were you able to achieve that, or did it turn out differently?
The only tangible goal we had going into the studio this time, in terms of the “sound we were envisioning”, was that we wanted the record to sound a little bit closer to what our live shows sound like. We didn’t want a drastic change in sound; we wanted the record to sound like it was siblings with our self-titled record.. which I definitely think we came out the other end achieving. Not unlike last time, the discussions between members revolved around things like potential key changes, picking apart every note or rhythm played on every instrument for every section of every song, and even some lyric modifications. We really zoom in with a microscope and pick things apart, almost to the point of being obsessive. We had to stop ourselves from going down wormholes fairly often. But we came out with a product we all love in the end, so it was worth the attention!
Breakthrough Song
-Yuuki Takita: Which song in the album became a breakthrough or represents the most significant change for the band? Please explain your reasons. If there isn’t one, please share each member’s recommended track.
In terms of the most significant change, I would say the song Sorry Not Sorry sounds the most different from all our previous songs. While the general atmosphere and mood of the song feels like Pool Kids, the presentation leans a lot more on the pop end of the spectrum than on the rock end.
Position of This Work
-Yuuki Takita: Your previous self-titled album released in 2022 received critical acclaim. What motivated you during the production of this third album that followed? My impression is that rather than trying new things, you seemed to focus on returning to your roots—deepening the depth of your own music to make a fresh start as a band, resulting in what feels like your most mature album. From your perspective, what position does this work hold?
I think your impression is absolutely correct. We did not intend to make a big change or deviation from our previous work, we just wanted to keep making music that felt authentic to us. In terms of the position this work holds, I would say this is us kind of in our flow-state… after the self-titled record, we’ve learned how to work together and how to bang things out. It feels like a well-oiled machine now.
Who Should Listen and When
-Yuuki Takita: Who would you like to listen to ‘Easier Said Than Done’? Or in what situations would you like people to listen to it?
There are certain songs on the record that I would want people to be blasting in the car with the windows down alongside their closest friends, and other songs I could see being appreciated alone, maybe sorting through some sort of crisis, and I hope it would make them feel less alone.
Message to Japanese Listeners
-Yuuki Takita: Finally, Japanese music fans will surely love your music! Please share a message for them.
To all our listeners in Japan, your country is our absolute favorite place we have ever visited, and we hope to return some day soon!! Your support means the absolute world to us!
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Pool Kids Album Release
3rd Album ‘Easier Said Than Done’
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Track List:
1. Easier Said Than Done
2. Tinted Windows
3. Bad Bruise
4. Leona Street
5. Last Word
6. Sorry Not Sorry
7. Not Too Late
8. Which Is Worse?
9. Dani
10. Perfect View
11. Exit Plan
Pool Kids Profile
Four-piece indie alternative band from Florida. Their 2018 debut was supported by Paramore’s Hayley Williams. Their 2022 second album received high praise from Pitchfork and others, brilliantly fusing pop, emo, and math rock. They successfully performed their first Japan tour in December 2023. Rooted in DIY spirit, they have recorded over 23 million plays worldwide. In 2025, they signed with Epitaph Records and released their third album ‘Easier Said Than Done’. At their live shows, they convey the message that everyone has the right to chase their dreams, gaining much empathy from listeners.
**Writer: Yuuki Takita**
Born in 1991, freelance writer from Tomakomai, Hokkaido. After graduating from the same university as TEAM NACS, he entered a music vocational school and majored in a writer course.
There he produced three music free papers and conducted everything from artist interviews to editing.
Using that experience, he joined a cross music media company with free papers and web media, where he experienced writing and editing review articles and sales.
After leaving the company, he changed jobs to become a staff member at a major record shop, where he also wrote disc review articles for the company’s own media.
This led him to start his activities as a freelance music writer. Currently, he is a salaryman and music writer who dreams of holding an outdoor music festival in his hometown Tomakomai.
He enjoys cats, movie watching, and reading. Komatsu Nana and curry & biryani exploration are his lifestyle.
Articles he has written so far are here
Articles written for other media are here
Twitter：@takita_funky
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