California alt-rock band The Mowgli’s are known for their feel-good hits, like “San Francisco” and “Say It, Just Say It.” The good vibes continue with their new album, “Kids In Love.” We talk to band member Katie Jayne Earl about the deeper meaning behind three of the album’s standout tracks. “Kids In Love” “Through The Dark” “Whatever Forever” The Mowgli’s in concert:
Boston New York City April 16, 8 p.m. Philadelphia Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence
When it comes to the title track, Earl says the band was trying to portray love at its purest: “We were trying to capsulate that unjaded, very open-eyed image of love [you have] when you’re a kid,” she says. She wants fans to know that even if you’ve had your heart broken and think you have nothing left to give, you get back to that happy place. “It’s [somewhere] we can all get back to,” she says. “There are people in your life that can take you back to that ‘kid in love’ place and it’s a pretty special place.”
This track may seem a bit more somber than The Mowgli’s usual sunny songs, but Earl says it still has their classic message, just from a different angle. “All of us [in the band] have been through a lot over the past couple years — and in life in general — and it’s about the idea that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” she says. “If you’re the best version of yourself, you can shine through any darkness that comes your way. It’s a reminder to love more and shine as bright as you can in the darkness that inevitably in the world.”
“Whatever Forever” is the only Mowgli’s song that two of the band members, Josh Hogan and Colin Louis Dieden, have tattoos of. “Years ago, we were in Lawrence, Kansas and Josh and Colin saw a sticker that said ‘Whatever Forever.’The guys just loved it and it sort of became their slogan,” Earl says. “It’s definitely one of our favorites to perform.”
April 14, 7 p.m.
Paradise Rock Club
967 Commonwealth Ave., 617-562-8800
crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club
April 15, 8 p.m.
Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 N. 6th St., Brooklyn
718-486-5400
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey St., 212-260-4700
www.boweryballroom.com
April 17, 8:30 p.m.
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden St., 215-232-2100
www.utphilly.com
Behind the music: The Mowgli’s
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