INTERVIEW: Floor Space
Meet Floor Space: the band reviving classic pop-punk and early 2000s emo, proving it was never ‘just a phase.’ Fronted by Pennsylvania native Charlie Bruno, Floor Space debuted in 2017 with their self-titled EP, followed by their sophomore full-length, Nothing Makes Sense, in 2022. Emerging from a season of heartache & self-destruction, Charlie returned to the scene with the band’s third album, Maybe This Is It, on October 20.
This record takes listeners on a raw, introspective journey through the human experience with a tongue-in-cheek twist. Floor Space incorporates their alternative, pop-rock-inspired sound paired with a compelling mix of truth and humor, tells tales of unhealthy coping mechanisms, what it feels like to go 'off the rails', and the healing nature of writing.
Noisescape caught up with Charlie to hear the personal stories that inspired the new songs, his musical influences, and more.
Photo by Jessy Antione Gonzalez
How did you discover your passion for making music?
I started playing guitar at 8 and was a huge classic rock kid into bands like AC/DC and stuff. Then I gravitated towards playing punk rock because I got into Green Day and everything. I knew I always wanted to have my own band, and I started one when I was 13 or 14. I went to this performing arts high school for guitar, so I was able to ask off for tours, which is super bizarre [laughs]. I got to meet a lot of cool people and got to have band practice during the day, so that rocked. It definitely gave me a driving force to want to tour at a young age, and I got to travel with these two other guys I was in a former band with. So, yeah, I’ve been touring and doing music for more than half my life.
You went to the real School of Rock— that’s awesome! What kind of music are you listening to now? Are there any bands that influence your sound?
I listen to a lot of Alkaline Trio and Jimmy Eat World, and then I love heavier stuff. Every Time I Die is one of my favorite bands, and I love the latest Turnstile record. I'm also a big hip-hop guy, so I guess I’m all over the map. I've recently been into this punk band from New York called Bad Luck. that I love. They're fantastic, and I would love to play shows with them at some point. So, some of the heavier tracks on the album are kind of influenced by that side of things. And then there's a lot of pop-rock songs on there, like the one we just put out. People have been saying it kind of sounds like a White Stripes song, which we’ve never gotten before. Growing up, it was always, “Oh, this sounds like Green Day,” and it’s always a huge compliment for me anytime I get it— but it's cool to branch out and get newer references and sound like other artists I love.
I thought the same thing when I heard “Self-Destruct!” I’d love to hear more about that song. Is there anything you want people to know about it?
The song started with that whole bassline, and at first, I thought it sounded too crazy to be a Floor Space song. And then, as I kept writing and wrote the chorus, I showed a couple of people, and they told me to keep going. I even showed my father, and he was like, “This is one of the best songs you've ever written.” So once your dad says that – you need to put it on the album [laughs]. It's getting shared around a decent amount, more than other songs we've put out in the past, and I think it's just a solid rock song. I would love for people to keep sharing it.
What experiences fueled your new album, Maybe This Is It?
I'm a person who tries to stay very cool with my exes. There were definitely songs where I had to have a conversation and literally let them know, “Hey, I wrote these songs about you, and they're probably going on this record.” Music has always been my therapy for getting over anything, so anyone who has gotten into a relationship with me knows that might happen. “Dibs” and “This Again” on the B side of the record specifically, are very relationship-driven, personal, and vulnerable. Both of those came on the new batch of songs, which needed to be talked about for sure. But now they're made, and I'm really happy they exist.
I'm glad you brought up “Dibs” because that’s my favorite song on the LP! Why did you decide to incorporate the saxophone into the track?
Thank you, I appreciate it. Yeah, so I was in a band for a while called Keep Flying, and they have horns in the band. Like with my exes, I've stayed very cool with them, and my friend John Ryan came to the studio one day and laid down sax on the one part. It was a guitar solo at first, but I thought it would sound so cool if we could put a sax over it. So he came in and ripped it and made it sound awesome.
Why did you choose “Spine” as the album opener?
“Spine” is about lost friendships and people standing in the way of your anticipated success. It's also the most frustrated song I've ever written. This album came out of a lot of frustration and a lot of trying to find a new direction for this band. It's also just a fun opener and another very personal and vulnerable song because it's about someone who was a really huge character in my life and isn't anymore. So, putting that theme out first and foremost was kind of what I wanted to do – to almost rip that bandaid off immediately for track one.
Do you have a favorite song or a lyric you wrote?
My favorite song on the album is “Self-Destruct.” That's why I wanted to put it out before anything else. But I'm also a huge fan of “Ricochet,” track four on the album, and it's just about random things. It's about gambling too much— it's about having friends recycle in your life; it's about a bunch of different addictions and kind of like self-inflicted pain. So I'd say those two songs are really strong. My favorite lyric might be the lyric in “Easier” where I say: Maybe this is it [laughs], ‘cause that kind of sums up the entire record.
How does this album differ from your previous music?
This was a lot more brainpower because it was my job recording, tracking, and coming up with stuff. But it gave me the freedom to write literally whatever I wanted. I didn't have anybody besides my producer, John— one of the smartest dudes I know— to tell me an idea sucked or not to write something. If I liked it, it pretty much went on the record, and that's why it's the longest record we have. So, I think that whole thing stands out, and it really is the tightest album. I feel like the other two we have are kind of all over the place. I'm really proud of them, but they're really fast, and they start and end in interesting places, whereas this album, I feel like, is a cohesive ride. And it feels good to have something out that feels like a full piece of work I'm proud of.
What is something that makes Floor Space unique?
We have a revolving door of musicians at this point. Promotionally, the band is just me, but I have a roster of homies I get to sub in when someone can’t make a tour and stuff. Recently, we've had a lot of people be like, “I feel like you guys have a new lineup every time I see you,” and I'm like, ‘Yeah, that's just kind of how we roll.’ So, I'm lucky to have a lot of friends who are musicians who are down to jump in and be a part of it. All the writing, lyrics, and songs have always been my brain work, but our shows are always different. So I’d say that’s interesting – you never really know what you’ll get when you see us live.
Do you have any big goals for the band? What can we expect next from Floor Space?
It's always been my dream to tour with my favorite bands – that’s the biggest thing. It's a very simple answer, but it is the goal for 2024. I really want us to hop on some cool tours with bands I listen to and guys I’ve looked up to my whole life. And that would be a huge way to get us out there. We're a great live band, and that's our strongest asset as Floor Space, especially with the guys I have playing in it now. I’d also love to do a full US tour with any band bigger than us. Any band that wants to take us out – we’re ready to hit the road.
Photo by Jessy Antione Gonzalez
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