New Music Orlando: 1 on 1 With The Fraternals

The lights may be low but the energy is certainly high. New bands are ready to face a freshly adult audience of early 20-somethings with their fake IDs and beers in hand. A stage could be considered judgment day, especially for one lonely shy singer up in front, making eye contact with each light-blurred face, with their band depending on them to shred vocals and keep up the electricity. Luckily for the Fraternals, there are two. 

“We just got into different versions of rock and roll, that’s just what started out our path,” says 23-year-old bassist Cole McDermott. He’s one. He’s one-half of the frontman duo, the other being his fraternal twin and guitarist Cian McDermott. 

The twins, originally from Ohio, moved down to Florida and immediately made their own band, and made their band known. They would perform with other bands on UCF’s parking garage roofs. T. That’s where they meet 22-year-old Daniel Gaige VanBommel and their drummer, 22-year-old Jake Wear. 

Right now, the band has released an original song dubbed “Nostalgic Vacation.” 

“It was around the time the pandemic started, and, you know, I had a lot of thoughts on my mind, you know, just getting out of high school,,” Cian McDermott said. McDermott said. “I think that Nostalgic came off of that period of when I was just writing on my own during quarantine.”

Since moving to Florida, the band has cultivated its following. They’ve handed out T-shirts for fans to wear and are always showing up to UCF-affiliated events. They played in Arboretum Unplugged, an open mic held at the UCF Arboretum, where students saw the band cover “Last Nite” by the Strokes and some of their own some of their own original songs. 

“Music, for me, is like a telltale of the human experience, you know,” VanBommel said. said. “Like just going through life and what you have to offer, what it has to offer for you.” 

I interviewed them at Austin’s Coffee, where I originally met the band last summer at a gig. What pulled me in was the approachable style of the twins, who were decked out in vintage T-shirts, corduroy jackets and wide-leg denim. Much like their song, the band has a nostalgic vibe to them, paying homage to bands before them. 

“I've always loved rock and roll, so I prefer to wear a band-t,” Cian McDermott said. McDermott said. “Like, whenever I can, you know, I just think it's compliments flannels and the jeans.”

And the TT-shirts both spotted on the twins and fans, sported their logo that represents Cian jumping off the stage in a rock and roll type of euphoria. 

But really, the band is here because of the fans. 

“Right now we have [some regulars who have] come to our past five shows,” said Cole McDermott. “They wear the shirts all the time and they've even sung some of our songs back to us, and as an artist, and you know, as a human being, I mean that's the coolest feeling ever, right?” 

Although the band is new on the Orlando scene, it’s clear they have the motivation of a band with high potential for out-of-state fame. 

“Right now we have one single out, but we are currently working on more singles,” Cole McDermott said. McDermott said. “Well, we might lead it up, say to like an EP or, if not another single, we do an EP next, and then that's just kind of some exposure to what will be our album.”

I remember my first viewing of the band; the twins with two acoustic guitars among a small audience of coffee shop goers and music lovers alike. I remember striking up a conversation with the Orlando newcomers and what seemed to be some other new listeners and fans. Though they need some polishing, I’m sure we will see the Ferternals on a future billboard somewhere. 

In Cian McDermott’s own words, “You want music to connect with people. You know, something that feels like a song that's worth listening to.” 

Strike Out,

Orlando

Written By: Riley Flynn

Edited By: Olivia Wagner & Makayla Gray

Images Courtesy: Nicolette Arteaga

Riley Flynn is a staff writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. She's a fashion lover and is usually at a thrift store trying to find a dupe for the latest fashion trends. When she's not writing an article or sifting through clothes, you'll find her painting, writing poetry, or working on her next screenplay. You can reach her on gmail as rileysflynn04@gmail.com or via Instagram at @rileysage04