What do you get when you mix a quarter-life crisis, alt-pop leanings and a five talented musicians? It’s Lost Element’s formula for success, out in full force on their latest EP, Stereo Dream. The seven-song-set is confidently in-your-face, like a guy who’s kind of annoying but knows he’s hot anyway. Made up of Omar Lopez (lead vocals), Brian Barrett (drums and backup vocals), Trace Sisson (guitar and backup vocals), Kenny Conlon (bass), Frank Vazquez (guitar, keyboard and backup vocals), Lost Element is premiering their whole EP Stereo Dream on Myspace. Listen to it above! We talked to the guys about their musical influences, how they all ended up as a band, and how living in Houston influenced their music.

Hometown: We are a very diverse group and are originally from all over. Omar is from Cleveland, Ohio; Brian is from San Francisco; Trace is from Nashville, Tennessee; Kenneth is from Venezuela; and Frank is from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Homebase: Houston, TX

Why are you called Lost Element?

We believe that throughout everyone’s life, they lose some sort of element along the way, whether it be their passion, their dreams ... for us it's a reminder that we don't ever want to lose our music, passion, and youthfulness.

Why is your EP called Stereo Dream?

Stereo Dream represents our dreams and goals of getting our music out there for the world to hear. Making a footprint where in a place that means something to us. We had been through a lot as a group over the past couple years so we tried to write about or experiences as a band as well as some uplifting tunes that represent us getting stronger as a group.

What are your favorite songs from your EP?

I think "Echoes of the Night" is our favorite as a whole. That song was written to be nostalgic and remind you of times were important to you or to remind you of someone that is or was important to you. For us, it's a reminder of where we come from and the clubs and venues that we grew up playing in Houston.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

U2, Coldplay, '80s music.

How did you all meet and decide to form a band?

Trace and Brian met when they were in their early years of high school and started playing in band together called drift, while Omar was a few years ahead playing in a band called Overshot. Everyone went to college, but ended up back in Houston in 2010 where Brian, Trace, Omar, and a couple other members all linked up and started writing music and playing local shows. It wasn't long after that they picked up some momentum and started Lost Element and began touring nationally. After a few years went by, the band went through some musical changes as well as some member changes. After months of tryouts, they finally found the bass player and keyboard player that fit their chemistry. In late 2014 Kenneth and Frank joined the band.

What was the first song you ever wrote as a band?

A song called "Batter Things" that we wrote when we were 16. Being in love with a girl that doesn' t know you exist.

Did you grow up in musical households? Is that how you discovered music?

Omar: I was surrounded by music when I was younger with family members always singing and playing instruments. My brother and I both started playing guitar in our early teens and dove right into starting a band!

Trace: My grandfather and uncle were touring musicians out of Nashville so I always wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Brian: My dad played the drums growing up and had an old ludwig kit up in the attic, which I broke out and started beating on when I was 15 and I never looked back.

Frank: I grew up playing music in church youth groups, which has really helped me develop good songwriting skills and good live chemistry with other musicians.

Kenneth: I grew up living in five different countries before I was 16 so I was surrounded by many different cultures of music and therefore have many different influences when it comes to my music.

Tell us a crazy Lost Element story from your cross-country tours.

We had a show in New York City and little did we know that the only way into the city was through tunnels. Our bus was about 14 feet, and the clearance to the tunnel was 12-and-a-half feet. There were cars lined up for miles behind us and we were left with no choice but to gun it through the tunnel. We ended up ripping of the sat dish and two AC units, but we made the show!

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#Chilidog

Every musician has an awesome Myspace-related story. What’s yours?

When we were in college we had never heard of Ghostland Observatory and happened to stumble across them on Myspace. We are now seeing them live at sold-out shows around the country!