How to make a diverse band: start with an ex-choir nerd and mix in a piano-playing former missionary, toss in a wannabe metal rocker, add a rhythm guitar songstress (an absolute must) and a marching band drummer boy, then BAM! season the whole thing with a bass player who has an affinity for prescription sunglasses, and voila! You have Good Morning Milo. Bands that lack diversity suck, luckily Good Morning Milo is not one of them. They make the kind of music that slyly evades a perfect genre classification, in other words, they make the best kind of music, music that moves forward.

Who are some of your collective influences and what draws you to them?

Anberlin for their dynamics and killer melodies, they have a way of doing both softer heartfelt songs and edgier stuff that makes them very versatile; Muse, they have such amazing stage presence and musicianship; Paramore for their melodic use of the guitar as well as incredible drum writing; Death Cab For Cutie, Ben Gibbord is an incredible lyricist and also writes some of the most interesting bass lines; and we have to mention The Anniversary for influencing Johnny’s synth style so much.

I hear that you perform acoustic sets to support organizations. Can you tell us what causes you support and how you got into that?

The cause we have dedicated the most support to and that really must be mentioned is Invisible Children. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the war in northern Uganda and are a voice for the children who are abducted daily and forced to be child soldiers as a result of this war. More than just an organization, they are really a family, which is how we were able to get involved in such a great cause. The mission of our band is to write good, uplifting and inspiring music for good people. We’ve always felt it’s important to give our audience more credit than the music industry typically does. And that’s exactly what Invisible Children does; they call people to action in a way that expects more from them as human beings. It’s an honor to be able to offer them our support.

Your songs have some interesting titles, who thinks them up and where does the inspiration for them come from?

Well Milo thinks them up, of course, he is really all the inspiration we need.

One of your songs is called “Pickup Lines,” do you have any good lines that actually work?

Well, we have plenty of lines, but none of them work.

How is it being a part of the San Diego music scene?

Really the true joy of being a band in San Diego comes from our fans. We have an incredible group of fans who always seem to make it to every show we play. We’re very blessed that way.

Ren, what is it like being in a band full of dudes?

This seems like a loaded question haha. But in all honesty, I love it. These are a great group of guys, and musicians for that matter. I’ve always felt like I fit right in, I’m just one of the guys which is so much fun. They’re like brothers to me in a lot of ways. We poke fun at each other and sometimes I find myself rolling my eyes. But the most important thing is that while we have our moments, in the end we all work extremely well together and have a lot of respect for one another, which is just so crucial to a good writing and performing atmosphere.

Since you’re from San Diego like Anchorman Ron Burgundy, if you were all newscasters, what line would you use as your sign off in place of “Stay Classy San Diego?”

Peter Says “Stay sexy San Diego!”
Ivan says “Uhh I thought you we’re gonna pick me last I can’t think of one.”
Dallen says “Can’t the new drummer answer this question?”
Weston says “Probably an everyday phrase I could trademark and make money off of.”
Ren says “Stay in school San Diego.”
Johnny says “You be good San Diego.”

Check them out here or on Facebook.

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