Almost Monday: From Surf Shops to Sold-Out Shows
Photos: Jessie Eshak
With a Billboard No. 1 hit under their belt and a headlining tour in full swing, San Diego-born indie-pop trio Almost Monday is riding a wave that started in the most unexpected of places—a surf shop. Before their show at Gramercy Theatre, we sat down with Dawson Daugherty, Luke Fabry, and Cole Clisby to talk about their roots, the magic of live music, and the serendipitous way New York became part of their story.
For Almost Monday, playing in New York feels like stepping into a movie—a cinematic contrast to their sun-drenched hometown. “It almost feels like The Wizard of Oz, like we followed this path all the way to this huge, big thing," they explain. "New York just has this essence that makes it feel bigger than anywhere else.” As they navigate the city’s fast-paced energy, they soak in the significance of the moment—another milestone in a journey that began long before they ever released a song.
“We started putting music out properly in 2020," they explain, "but we were Almost Monday in the surf shops back in high school.”
Their story doesn’t begin in a recording studio or a music venue, but on the beach. Friends since childhood, the trio bonded over their love of surfing and music. Their early shows were raw and unpolished, played in garages and local surf shops, driven by nothing more than the thrill of performing. “We didn’t really put out music,” they recall, “we just started doing our own shows as much as possible, and each year, we just stuck with it.”
Then came the leap of faith—leaving college behind to pursue music full-time. That decision became the catalyst for everything that followed, shaping them into the band they are today.
Earlier this month, their single Can’t Slow Down climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, marking their first-ever chart-topper. It was a moment of pure disbelief. “It was always something way in the future, if ever,” they admit. “We’re just shocked and grateful.”
Their sound, rooted in the breezy, feel-good energy of San Diego, continues to evolve—blending surf rock with a comprehensive range of influences. But no matter how far they go, the DNA of those early days in the surf shops still pulses through their music.
Touring as a headliner has transformed the way they experience their own songs. After spending last year opening for other artists, seeing a room full of people singing their lyrics back to them is something they’ll never take for granted. “When people are singing the lyrics back to you—it never loses its magic,” they say. “It’s the best feeling in the world to see strangers connecting with something we created.”
Writing music is personal, a process rooted in their own emotions and creative instincts. But performing? That’s when everything comes full circle. “You make music for yourself first, but then to see people actually loving it—it’s unreal.”
And their show at Gramercy Theatre was nothing short of electrifying. On an unseasonably warm night in New York City—where it felt like summer had returned for just one day—Almost Monday took the stage with a level of energy that was infectious. From the moment they stepped into the spotlight, they commanded the crowd, delivering a performance that was equal parts explosive and effortlessly cool. What made the night even more special was the audience itself; many fans barely had their phones out, choosing instead to dance, sing, and fully absorb the moment. The night began with a stunning opening set from Adrian Lyles, whose smooth vocals and magnetic stage presence set the perfect tone, making for a show that felt like a celebration of pure, unfiltered joy.
For a band with such strong California roots, it’s poetic that their name traces back here to New York. “We originally called ourselves The Mondays, but we found out the name was taken,” they recall with a laugh. “We happened to be in Syracuse for a show, and by the time we left, we were Almost Monday. So, in a way, New York named us.”
It’s a small but fitting twist in their journey—one that makes playing here feel even more special. New York may have given them their name, but Almost Monday is proving that their story is still being written—one song, one show, and one unforgettable performance at a time.
Success is a moving target. For Almost Monday, the goalpost is always shifting, always just ahead of them. “We’re always ‘making it’ as long as we get to play music together,” they reflect. “There’s always a new goal, a new song to write, a better show to play. But at the same time, we can just stop and enjoy the fact that we get to do this at all.”
As a featured artist in Ones to Watch, Almost Monday is eager to shine that same light on other up-and-coming talents they believe in. Their picks include: Rec Hall, Holidays in the United States, Carwash, The Happy Return, Tyson Motsenbocker, Fat Evil Children, SEBii, and Drench Fries.
Ten years in, Almost Monday is still chasing the same dream—only now, they’re bringing thousands of fans along for the ride.
