Algebra II

Meet Algebra II

As a person that loathes basic addition, I have to say — Algebra II was my jam back in high school. Nothing like a good formula to get the gears going. 

As such, I’m partial to Asbury Park’s Algebra II, a trio making “friendship rock/quiet grrl” music — which may be one of the most warm and fuzzy genres to exist. 

Intrigued by their cello-usaged, we called up the three-piece to get their two-cents on the Asbury scene, best ice cream, and preferred Uber tunes. 

Check out what the friends had to say, follow their final words of advice, and peep their latest release below. 

Dream House by, Algebra II

Would You Rather…

have an enormous set of antlers or seven-foot-tall stilts for legs? 

Maggie: Stilts for sure.

Gabby: Antlers.

Lewie: Antlers.

Some Questions with Algebra II

When performing a concert what is your biggest pet peeve?

Maggie: When stage lights are either right in my eyes or not on me at all and I can’t see what I’m doing, ugh.

Gabby: Rude sound guys.

Why "Algebra II"? 

Maggie: We were in a group chat with some friends from college a while back, where we’d all randomly post silly band name ideas. I think our friend Estaban came up with this one right around the time the three of us started playing music together, so we were like, “how about this one?” It’s silly.

Can you give us your creative process for songwriting in the form of a mathematical formula?

( [lyrics / melody] / [chord progression / rhythm] ) + (cello^metal) = song

If you could make a musical instrument out of an unconventional material what would it be?

Maggie: Probably something soft and comfy, like a blanket? That’d be nice.

Gabby: Ooh I was going to say fabric, so I’ll second Maggie’s.

Lewie: I feel like more instruments could be made out of food.

What is your take on the music scene in Asbury Park?

Maggie: There’s a lot of really great talent and energy. I wish there were more accessible, all-ages venues to help bring it all together, though. I think the best all-ages venue we’ve got right now is the Asbury Park Brewery, which is a little ironic? A lot of people either don’t know or seem to forget that back in the late 60s there was a dry, all-ages coffee shop/venue in town called the Upstage Club, where kids from both sides of town and the surrounding areas would come and play music together all night. I don’t know the full history, but I do know it’s widely agreed-upon that that’s where Bruce got his start. I’d love to see something like that come back.

Gabby: As an outsider (I live in New York) I think the Asbury Park scene is pretty community-oriented and feels intimate and supportive. There’s some folks who are really passionate about putting together cool DIY shows and supporting the indie music scene. I agree that I wish there were more accessible, all-ages, and independently-owned venues (RIP The Lanes).

Lewie: I feel like there are several scenes in Asbury that don’t interact very often. It seems like they kind of congregate around different venues. We play a lot at the Brewery and mostly with other bands who do too. It’s kind of fun to go to Yacht Club or something and see a band and be completely surprised that we are from the same town. 

How do you incorporate a classical instrument like the cello to suit your grungier sound?

Gabby: I actually think the cello has pushed our sound to be more grungy. When we first started playing together, we were definitely more in the folk genre. I also had never used a pickup, amp, or pedals when were first started out. As I started to explore that territory more and figure out what kinds of awesome, grungy sounds I could get out of my cello, that pushed our songwriting too. I’m pretty influenced by punk, post-hardcore, and prog rock (Cursive is a big influence to me), so incorporating strings into that kind of music has always interested me.

Lewie: There’s some pretty tuff classical stuff out there so I feel like it wasn’t too much of a stretch once we started moving away from folkier stuff. For me the biggest challenge is figuring out where the cello needs to act as the bass vs. when it can do melodies or lead stuff. Gabby wears many hats in this band.

If someone hands you an aux cord in an uber what is the song you put on?

Maggie: Ain’t Together - King Princess

Gabby: Truth Hurts - Lizzo

Lewie: Tightrope - Janelle Monae

What was your favorite subject in school? Why was it your favorite?

Maggie: English. My parents are both newspaper editors, so I’ve been a grammar geek my whole life.

Gabby: English as well. I’m also a huge grammar/reading nerd.

Lewie: Does music count? If not probably history. It’s just bonkers how many things have happened.

What do you think the future holds for Asbury Park?

Maggie: This is a really tough one. I don’t think my hopes for Asbury align with what seems to be the likely trajectory of the town, but I don’t want to be pessimistic. I just wish they’d slow it down with the million-dollar condos. 

Who is your favorite one hit wonder?

Maggie: Tubthumping - Chumbawamba

Gabby: What’s Up - 4 Non Blondes

Lewie: The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats

What is your favorite childhood book?

Maggie: The Stinky Cheese Man

Gabby: The Epiplectic Bicycle by Edward Gorey

Lewie: A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

What is the best ice cream to get from the ice cream truck?

Maggie: Choco Taco

Gabby: cookies n cream bar

Lewie: toasted almond bar

What is the worst prank to pull on a babysitter?

Lewie: Telling adults that you don’t know who your babysitter is or something. Whenever I watch my niece I’m always nervous she’ll say something like that and someone will think I kidnapped her.

Name a musician dead or alive that you would want to model your career after.

Maggie: Carrie Brownstein
Lewie: Mark Mothersbaugh

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

*In unison*: GO TO SHOWS!