3×3: Stranger Friends on Pianos, Pickles, and Prime Ministers

Artist: Jamie Floyd and John Martin (of Stranger Friends)
Hometown: Stillwater, OK & West Palm Beach, FL
Latest Album: Stranger Friends
Personal Nicknames: I’ve never had an official nickname, but I’ve always loved giving nicknames! My good friend, Sean McCabe, is better known as Freeze. Back in college, he wanted to meet a specific girl. We set up a little meeting at Aspen Coffee Shop in Stillwater and, as you can tell by his nickname, he froze up and didn’t say a word to her. After years of co-workers, friends, and family embracing the nickname, Sean actually got Freeze tattooed on his hand. You can’t make this stuff up! — JM

Sometimes you hear a song and you’re drawn to it…. Sometimes you see a painting and you just connect with it…. That’s what makes art a powerful mystery! This guy, Ryan Rado, is an artist that I was instantly drawn to. He has an emotion and passion in his work that is inspiring…. We are so excited to be collaborating with him for our EP release show! He is doing a painting for each of the 5 songs on the EP, and if you come to the show, we might send you home with a Rado of your own! What?! Check him out @ryan_rado -JM #FriendOfAFriend #Art #Nashville

A post shared by Stranger Friends (@strangerfriendsband) on Sep 29, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

If you could go back (or forward) to live in any decade, when would you choose?

JM: Maybe the ‘60s, so I could say I saw the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Elvis Comeback Special.

Who would be your dream co-writer?

JM: Bob Dylan. I know he wouldn’t need me … but to watch him work would be like getting to watch Van Gogh paint.

JF: Take me back and put me in a room with a piano and Ray Charles.

If a song started playing every time you entered the room, what would you want it to be?

JM: Very tough question. Maybe I’d go with Pharrell’s “Happy” because it’s difficult to hear that song and not feel good!

#TBT to our EP release a couple of weeks ago, where we teamed up with artist & local legend @ryan_rado. 📸: @thejoshuablackwilkins • #strangerfriends #ep #artist #livepainting #NewMusic #Nashville #musiccity

A post shared by Stranger Friends (@strangerfriendsband) on Nov 2, 2017 at 1:08pm PDT

What was your favorite grade in school?

JM: For me, 10th grade — leaving campus for lunch changed everything!

JF: 7th grade was my favorite grade. I got into speech and debate. I would get into real political debates with my social studies teachers during class. My passion for advocacy started all the way back then. Today, I have handful of organizations that are important to me, and I use my voice to help in any way I can.

What are you most afraid of?

JM: That’s a toss-up — snakes or spiders … ahhh!!

Who is your celebrity crush?

JM: My wife, Glenda. She is a recurring guest on Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, so she is a celebrity to me!

JF: Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada. I think he counts as a celebrity. What a humanitarian with a huge heart for all people.

Hitting the grey carpet at the @SESAC Awards! • • #Nashville #sesacawards #strangerfriends

A post shared by Stranger Friends (@strangerfriendsband) on Nov 5, 2017 at 6:58pm PST

Pickles or olives?

JM: Neither?? I’ve never knowingly had either.

JF: I am a total crazed foodie — all the pickles and all the olives (Castelvetrano Olives are my fave), please & thank you.

Plane, train, or automobile?

JM: Automobile. I like driving because it’s a great place to listen to music and clear the mind.

JF: Planes are my pick. You can see it all from the sky.

Which is worse — rainy days or Mondays?

JM: Actually, I love both. Rainy days remind me of Oklahoma, and Mondays are the first chance at the new week.

JF: Rainy days get me down. I’m a Florida girl. I have to have sunshine.

Photo credit: Joshua Black Wilkins