W hat do Arizona and Albania have in common? Not much, honestly. But a new answer to the question is ... Snailmate. The Phoenix band is equal parts Kalen Lander (synth and vocals) and Bentley Monet (drums and backing vocals), and together their skills and energy whip up volcanic electro-punk, nerdy rap and noisy tunes. But after more than a decade spent building their career in the Valley, they’ll soon leave to create from their new home base in southeastern Europe. The duo will play a farewell show in Phoenix at The Rebel Lounge on Thursday, Aug. 13. In a Zoom chat with the duo, they break down the decision to split. “We have wanted to move for years,” Lander begins. “There are a lot of factors. We love touring in Europe. They treat us really well over there. It’s fun, it’s exciting, the reception (to the band) is really good, and it’s just beautiful. It’s something we have always fantasized about. Every time we go back to Europe, it gets better and better and we make more contacts. It’s something that became realistic to us.” Europe’s scenery has long been a pull for visitors and transplants alike. Still, their decision is also driven by some of the ugli- ness and hate currently permeating the U.S. political and social landscape. “A big part of it was Trump getting re-elected, and a lot of things that have been happening in the country,” Lander says. “We talked about it last year, and we weren’t sure if it was possible, and then things keep happening. I don’t need to tell y’all what’s been going on, but it’s scary for us and for our families. For Bentley as a trans man, it’s really terrifying, so that’s a big part of it, too. With all of these things combined and with our partners being so gung-ho and supportive, we thought, ‘We can make this happen.’” Moving to Europe sounds nice, doesn’t it? But as team Snailmate can tell you, it’s not easy. “We’re bringing our partners and our pets,” Monet says. “I have three cats, and he has a dog and a cat. And it’s a lot of paperwork, and it’s very stressful.” Tirana, Albania’s capital, is Snailmate’s landing spot. They say there are plenty of reasons why the city was an easy choice. “There are people that want to get to know you, and there are shops and bakeries, and you don’t have to go far to get a good meal,” Lander says. “Everything you need is close.” Not having a car is an exciting prospect for Lander and Monet, and Tirana offers walkability they’ve been craving. “Where we’re gonna be living, we’re not even gonna have to drive, and when we go on tour and stuff, we’re just gonna rent a car,” Monet explains. “But where our apart- ments are, we can walk to the grocery store, multiple grocery stores, coffee shops, every- where we need. We’re figuring out our prac- tice space thing, but … that’s probably gonna be walkable as well, or the bus, so it’s gonna be so nice not to have to be reliant on a car.” The city’s beauty also sealed the deal, Lander adds. “Of all the places we’ve traveled, it’s really beautiful. It’s near Greece; it’s just across the water from Italy. The people are really warm and kind, and the food is amazing.” There’s also the unavoidable issue of cost, and Tirana fits the bill there, too. “The big factor for us right now is it’s affordable, and we can make a living with our music and our internet presence, and touring a few times a year,” Lander says. “Living our dream is an attainable goal.” Wanderlust The band came together in 2015, and trav- eling has been in the mix since 2019. “The first time we went,” Monet says, “was in 2019. We had a booking agent that we paid, and then she totally dropped the ball. We ended up with like three shows, and since we already had the plane tickets, we went. We filled in the dates with some other random shows I found. We played some open mics and we made a bunch of connections. We had a really good time, even though it was terrible circumstances. After COVID, we went over again, just DIY with the people we’d met, and then we went again in 2023 and then this last year and worked with a booking agent. It was a longer tour.” >> p 16 BY aMY YOunG Why synth-punks Snailmate are leaving the desert for life in Europe. Kalen Lander, left, and Bentley Monet are Snailmate. (Provided by Snailmate)
