Although all the members of Fringe Class were born in the '90s, their sound is firmly rooted in '80s electronic ballads. Frontwoman Maddy Goldstein's voice alternatively roars and glides above their synth-driven melodies that explore relationships and life in a way that leads listeners out onto the dancefloor. After forming in a basement during high school, the group has evolved to filling out stages at bars and venues alike and is on the cusp of releasing their second EP, Fringe Class Begins, last month.

Hometown/homebase: Portland, Oregon

Members: Madi Gold (vox), Patrick Berry (synths and drums), Sam Gerendasy (drums and synths), Brad Russell (bass)

How did you form?

Patrick: We all grew up in the same neighborhood and have been jamming together for as long as any of us can remember. 

Madi: And I was recruited later on. Patrick hunted me down in high school after seeing videos of me performing with another band.

What are some of your best memories of going out to shows in Portland in terms of seeing the bands that inspired you?

Patrick: When we first started going out to shows, the Portland music scene was very ripe and exciting. The energy was indescribable. This was about 2008-2009 I believe. There were plenty of all ages spaces open and everybody seemed to be hosting a house show at one point or another. We had a lot of favorite bands that would often play together, some of these were Strength, Starfucker (now STFKR), Guidance Counselor, Southern Belle, Reporter, Wampire, the Dirty Mittens and Explode Into Colors. I think our absolute favorite collective memory has to be rushing the stage while Starfucker was playing on many different occasions.

Madi: I would agree that there was once a very raw yet inviting music scene in Portland. I'm sure everyone would say this about their own generation. The memories that stick to me are that of being young and out and about where I shouldn't be (or where I told me parents otherwise) and dancing around in sweaty basements to bands that would go on to become staples of the Portland scene. I also was at a Starfucker show where everyone rushed the stage at the end. We didn't know each other yet, but my bandmates were there too, feeling the same sense of awe and wonder.

What has been your favorite show you've played so far?

Patrick: They all sort of run together at this point, but we would all agree that our worst house show is definitely better than our best stage show. We absolutely live for playing house shows. Our favorites have been the ones where it has been so packed in a basement that the ceiling actually started dripping sweat all while people were knocking our gear over and unplugging it. We love that kind of super chaotic band-audience relationship. 

In terms of female popstars, who are some of your favorite and what is it about them?

Patrick: A few of us are in love with the lead singer of Kitten, we cant really explain why, but it's just one of those things. We also really semi-ironically admire Britney Spears because she is a trashy-hot-mess with a heart of gold. 

Madi: Karen O was my original favorite. Her voice is so diverse yet recognizable, and has always been my first beacon of inspiration. Blondie is the shit. Any old pictures of the band always blow me away, she had such an iconic image. Grimes, of course, she is a visionary. And the front lady of Little Dragon is one of the best vocalists out there in my mind. 

What inspires your lyrics?

Madi: This is a hard one. Many of the songs we play today were written a long time ago. It's hard to remember what I was thinking then. Most of the time, the lyrics just form out of jamming and figuring out what fits and where. In this way of writing music, I find that the sounds, the assonance, the alliteration, these are the things I care about.

I'm kind of a modernist in this sense, I try to avoid dealing with large ideas or abstractions in my lyrics. I want there to be concrete images. I'm inspired by poetry and literature. I like a song to have lyrics that paint me a specific image, while carefully choosing words for their sounds and strength. Father John Misty, Elliot Smith, Lana Del Ray, and Arcade Fire are my lyrical idols. My topic matter I would say tends to revolve around only that which I have experienced: teen angst, disappointment,neglected friendships—all that melancholy adolescent shit. That's what I know. 

What do you do outside of the band?

Madi: The four of us lead very different lives. We are all working to fit a band in between trying to be adults. Some of us go to school to set up our backup plans to not becoming rock stars. Brad and Sam work at New Seasons [grocery store], and I think Sam will run the company some day. Patrick will become some environmental law guru and advise the president. Brad is and will continue to be the best musician we know. If anyone will make it in the music scene it'll be Brad. As for me, I'll always be able to be a starving artist working on a useless English degree for 10 years on and off. Then I'll teach 6th grade while writing an album on the side.