2. Facts
Echosmith is an American indie pop band formed in September 2009 from
Toluka Lake, Los Angeles.
The band is composed of four siblings: Graham, Sydney, Noah and Jamie
Sierota.
Echosmith signed to Warner Bros records in May 2012.
They are best known for their hit song Cool Kids which reached number 19 on
the Billboard Hot 100.
Their first single, Tonight We’re Making History, was released June 5th 2012, and
was featured in an NBC promo for the 2012 summer Olympics.
Echosmith unveiled their new single and official music video Come Together in
early June 2013.
The band’s debut album, Talking Dreams, was released on October 8th 2013.
3. Members
ABOUT Named one of MTV's 2014 Artists to
Watch, she is the lead singer of the alt-pop
band Echosmith along with her three
brothers Jamie, Noah, and Graham. Their
single "Cool Kids" became available on
iTunes.
BEFORE FAME She started playing in a
band with her brothers when she was just 5
years old.
TRIVIA With Echosmith, she signed with
Warner Bros Records in 2012 and released
her first album in 2013.
FAMILY LIFE She was born in Los Angeles,
California.
ASSOCIATED WITH She performed with
Echosmith during the Teen Nick Top 10:
New Year's Eve Countdown, hosted by
Nick Cannon.
ABOUT Lead guitarist and backing vocalist for
the pop band Echosmith who signed with
Warner Bros. Records in 2012 and released their
debut single, "Tonight We're Making History," a
month later.
BEFORE FAME He and the other three members
of the band, who are all siblings of his by the
names of Sydney, Graham, and Noah, officially
became Echosmith in February of 2009.
TRIVIA With Echosmith, he performed on the
band's debut album Talking Dreams and on the
EPs Summer Sampler and Acoustic Dreams.
FAMILY LIFE He was raised in Chino, California
with his two brothers and one sister in a musical
household.
ASSOCIATED WITH He played the guitar for a
cover version of the Ellie Goulding smash single
"Lights."
ABOUT Member of the all-sibling indie
rock/pop band Echosmith whose song
"Cool Kids" peaked at #25 on the
Billboard Hot 100. They released their
debut album called Talking Dreams in
2013.
BEFORE FAME He came together with his
siblings Noah, Sydney, and Jamie to
form Echosmith in February of 2009.
TRIVIA He performed on Echosmith's first
single, "Tonight We're Making History,"
which was a featured song in a promo
for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
FAMILY LIFE He was raised in Chino,
California.
ASSOCIATED WITH He is the youngest
member of the band with Sydney
Sierota being the second youngest.
ABOUT Backing vocalist and bassist for
the Warner Bros. Records signed pop
band Echosmith who released their
debut album Talking Dreams on October
8, 2013.
BEFORE FAME He came together with his
siblings Graham, Sydney, and Jamie to
form Echosmith in February of 2009.
TRIVIA He performed on Echosmith's first
single, "Tonight We're Making History,"
which was a featured song in a promo
for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
FAMILY LIFE He was raised with his siblings
in Chino, California.
ASSOCIATED WITH He played the bass in
a cover of Adele's "Set Fire To The Rain."
4. The Band
Sydney Sierota – Lead Vocals (born April 21, 1997)
Jamie Sierota – Guitar (born April 9, 1993)
5. The Band
Graham Sierota - Drums (born February 5, 1999)
Noah Sierota - Bass Guitar (born January 1, 1996)
6. Cool Kids
"Cool Kids" is a song from their 2013 debut studio album Talking Dreams. The song was
originally released on October 8, 2013 as the iTunes Store Single of the Week and officially
impacted United States radio the following year. The song has become a sleeper hit,
peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving airplay on US modern rock,
hot adult contemporary, and contemporary hit radio stations.
The song debuted at number 87 on the Billboard on the chart date of July 26, 2014, and
has peaked at number 19. The song has also charted at numbers 28 and 19 on the
Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 respectively. As of September 10, 2014
"Cool Kids" has sold over 500,000 copies and went gold. The song has received over 8
million views on YouTube.
Echosmith performed the song on December 31, 2013 during the Teen Nick Top 10: New
Year's Eve Countdown, hosted by Nick Cannon. The band performed "Cool Kids" live on
VH1's Morning Buzz on April 29, 2014. Shortly following their VH1 performance, the band
performed live on the famous talk show Conan on June 5, 2014.
8. Background and Release
The song tells the story of a boy and girl who just want to be noticed. "This
cry to be like the cool kids… it's something that everyone kind of goes
through whether you want to act like it or not," Jamie explained to
Radio.com. "There's always somebody out there that you kind of wish, 'If
only I could do this, or do that.' I think that's why it connects with people so
well."
The song was originally recorded for their debut EP Summer Sampler which
was released 31 May 2013. The song was then officially released as a single
of their debut album Talking Dreams. The song would make an appear as
an acoustic version on their second EP Acoustic Dreams which was
announced after their "Cool Kids" music video received one million views.
"Cool Kids" was written by Echosmith, Jeffery David, and Jesiah Dzwonek.
9. Music Video
The official music video was released on June 21, 2013 on their official
YouTube channel. The video was filmed in Los Angeles, CA and was
directed by Gus Black. After receiving one million views on their video,
Echosmith released an acoustic version of the song.
The original (uploaded by fan): http://youtu.be/lfHNWXeD_GQ
They deleted the official video which had millions of views already and
created a new music video with a different version to the song. In my
personal opinion I prefer the original.
The new Cool Kids music video: http://youtu.be/SSCzDykng4g
10. Critical reception on Cool Kids
Patrick Griffin of Sound and Motion Magazine gave a positive review, saying "It’s a breezy
effervescent song about this teens, a boy and a girl respectively who are feeling quite insecure
and just long to fit into the “cool” crowd. The track is very infectious the synth melody and light
strummed guitars just fill out the nice atmosphere of the track well. Sydney Sierota‘s wispy vocals
gives the track a kind of whimsical feel as the track sparks feelings of a more innocent time
when fitting in was something that actually mattered. Sure the lyrics aren’t too thought
provoking but this track is just very catchy and that’s cause enough to give this track a listen
especially if you’re into indie pop."
Daniel Bromfield of E Daily Emerald gave a negative review saying, "The album’s biggest lyrical
tragedy would have to be “Cool Kids,” which might have been the album’s best song if not for
its cringe-worthy chorus of “I wish that I could be like the cool kids/Because all the cool kids
seem to fit in.” In addition to giving Snoop Lion’s “Take care of mother earth because she be the
planet” a run for its money for the year’s most redundant couplet, it’s a terribly ironic line.
Echosmith has already fit in. But the cool kids are the ones that came before them, and
Echosmith merely follow in their wake, trying to look and talk and think exactly like them. They
only fit in because it’s what everyone else in their social current does".
Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal noted Sydney’s lead vocals are lilting and reminiscent of
Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding, while her brother, Jamie, delivers on guitar and brother, Noah,
rocks the bass, both accompanying her on back vocals. Papadatos noted Graham’s drum
playing is addicting, which enhances the song sonically. The critic also mentioned Echosmith
deserves praise for their catchy melodies and distinct sound. Cool Kids has become a summer
anthem for the group, giving the song a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
