COIN, Nashville’s latest buzz band, are often dubbed ‘90s kids—except that Zach Dyke (bass), Chase Lawrence (vocals), Joe Memmel (guitar) and Ryan Winnen (drums) were actually born in 1992! “We are actually a physical product of the ‘90s,” Lawrence says. “But we still draw from so much music from this era!” Their influences are evident in their eponymous debut, out in June.

Being a buzz band also means feeling humbled by all the attention COIN is getting. Lawrence says it’s still crazy to him that someone leaves the comfort of their home to see COIN live. “It is 100 percent easier to stay at home. I am so grateful for all those who buy tickets to watch us do what we love in front of them.”  

Lawrence talks to Myspace about how COIN got together, his dream of producing beats for rappers, and collaborating with Calvin Harris.

Hometown: Huntington, West Virginia

Current residence: Nashville, Tennessee

How did you all meet?

Joe and I met in a music theory class at Belmont University. We sat beside each other. On the other side of Joe was a girl whose boyfriend played drums. His name was Ryan. We all began to write songs together. When the time came to play our first show, we needed a bass player. So, we forced Zach (another fellow Belmont-er) to join the band. He reluctantly agreed to play one show … He's still in the band.

Did you grow up in a musical household?

I grew up falling asleep to my dad playing the piano late at night. My dad is a songwriter, and he encouraged me to pursue it like he did. I discovered music for myself, in sixth grade, when he taught me four chords on the piano. After I exhausted every possibility and combination of those four chords, I realized I could play every Blink-182 song ever.

You talked being influenced by music from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Which bands?

New wave music from the ‘80s and ‘90s like Talking Heads and the Cure. And modern bands like the Killers inspire us to keep becoming better songwriters and a better band.

What was your “I want to make music for the rest of my life” moment?

I was probably 5. I can remember running in my parents' room shirtless with a sunglasses on  (visualize a baby Kid Rock) open strumming a guitar. I mostly just remember dedicating songs to [my parents], as in “This song goes out to Chuck and Jamie Lawrence… .”

Realistically, I was probably a senior in high school when I realized that I might be able to pursue this. But back then I just wanted to make beats for rappers! [My DJ name could be] YOUNG CHUCK. I still might do it.

Why did you call yourselves COIN?

We were on this (what we thought to be) eternal search for a one-word band name. I came across COIN in a book about race horses. The horse's name was actually "Lucky COIN." The word just felt right from the first time I read it.

Nashville isn't exactly known for indie rock. How does living in Nashville influence your music?

It's so diverse here. We have so many friends who live and make music in other genres. It's fun to draw influence from their music. But, it's cool because it's not competitive at all. Nashville is incredibly friendly, and everyone is so encouraging.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

I would love to write a song with Calvin Harris.

David O'Donohue