The catchy anthem Cool Kids has echoed through summers, and the minds behind it belong to Echosmith, a California-based alternative pop quartet formed by siblings Sydney, Jamie, Noah, and Graham Sierota. The band has carved a space with thoughtful storytelling and bright, melodic hooks, earning a growing following and a clear voice in the modern pop landscape.
The group traveled to Canada for the first time to perform at the finale of YTV’s The Next Star, a moment that felt like a fresh gateway to new audiences and a reminder of how live music translates across borders. The opportunity gave fans north of the border a glimpse of their energy on stage and the way they connect with listeners in real time.
During a candid conversation, the quartet discussed what makes a show like The Next Star meaningful and how the reception to Cool Kids has evolved beyond the original release.
What qualities do you think make up The Next Star?
Noah: A good voice, usually that helps a lot.
Sydney: Talent matters, too.
Noah: A strong song helps as well.
Jamie: Authenticity. Being true to yourself.
Sydney: Staying true to your look and sound even when there are opinions all around. It’s okay to experiment, but you want to stay grounded in who you are as artists. Otherwise the sea of artists becomes hard to navigate.
How would you describe your sound?
Sydney: Right now we lean toward alternative pop. If you listen to our influences — The Smiths, Joy Division, The Killers, Coldplay, U2 and others — you can hear threads of that mix in our music, even when our songs are in their own right.
You are still relatively new to the mainstream scene. Can you introduce one another?
Graham: I’m the drummer. People notice him first for how he plays and for his memory, which keeps us organized when plans change. He’s basically our calendar when a phone isn’t handy.
Jamie: Sydney is the vocalist and the most talkative member in the room. Her current favorite movie is Anchorman 2.
Sydney: Noah is our bass player and the tallest. He loves apple-flavored H-Chews. Jamie is the guitarist who usually sports a beard and has a knack for figuring out almost anything. He’s even learned to make leather bags, which is pretty impressive.
Cool Kids landed on the Billboard Hot 100. How has the response to the song evolved?
Sydney: It has been incredible. We released the song more than a year ago, and it’s exciting to see it gain traction again. The reason it resonates is simple: we wrote it from a place of personal relevance. Everyone can relate to wanting to fit in or imitate someone else at some point. When a song comes from real experience, listeners connect on a deeper level. The response has been humbling, and it continues to help fans as they navigate their days.
Have you had celebrity responses that left you starstruck?
Noah: There were a few moments. Riff Raff shared a Vine of himself in a car singing along to Cool Kids. That felt pretty special.
Sydney: Taylor Swift knew the song and said she could relate to it. That was unforgettable. Katy Perry also voiced her support, which meant a lot, but the Swift moment stood out the most.
How did the four siblings decide to create music together?
Jamie: We grew up in a musical family and naturally gravitated toward the instruments we play now. Seven years ago an opportunity to play together came up, and we gave it a try. Everything clicked, and we’ve been making music as a unit ever since.
Cool Kids centers on a character who doesn’t quite fit in. With November marking National Bullying Awareness Month, what advice would you offer to fans who feel left out or face bullying?
Sydney: It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but the choice to accept who you are is powerful. We all control our thoughts, and deciding to love ourselves is crucial. There will always be people who don’t see your value, but the real strength comes from choosing kindness toward yourself and toward others. The best response to bullying is love, which can surprise the bully and shift the whole moment in a positive direction.
What lies ahead for Echosmith?
Sydney: A lot of touring, more international stops, and plenty of plans to return to Canada. Details are shared on our website as they’re announced, and fans should stay tuned for updates on future trips.
Any message for Canadian fans?
Sydney: Thank you for welcoming us so warmly. It’s wonderful to visit places you haven’t been before and feel the genuine support of fans. We look forward to coming back for a proper show soon and meeting more people who’ve kept Cool Kids in rotation.
The band’s debut album Talking Dreams, which features Cool Kids, remains a defining milestone that helped propel their rise in the pop scene. (citation: band interview)