How Could It Get Better? For the 502s, It Can.

From Bonnaroo, to a European Tour, their new single “Hey Julia,” The 502s are having one of their busiest years yet.

Photo: @avi.warren

Thanks to TikTok, and their viral songs “Just A Little While” and “Magdalene,” The 502s are traveling all over the world spreading good vibes through music – and creating a community of fans along the way.

Not even 12 hours after their performance at Bonnaroo, The 502s sat down with MUD on a hot day in Tennessee right on the grounds of the festival.

All six band members were present to sit and discuss the exciting year they’ve been having and where it will take them.

“The first time we spoke with you guys we were driving through New York City in February, the snow was coming down, freezing cold, we’re trying to stay on the road, and we were passing the phone around the car, and now we’re in Manchester, TN, and its 1000 degrees out here, still around the phone, but who knows where we’ll be next time," said Matt Tonner, piano player for the band.

The 502s are a high energy, charismatic, indie-folk band, and when listening to their music you can't help but smile. Their infectious good energy is what has made them so popular.

The aftershocks of their viral hits have led them to doing so many things the Florida natives could have never dreamed of.

Photo: @avi.warren

“I always feel like this is not happening to us, and then we walk out and hear people singing our songs, and we're like 'Oh, this is cool'. We’ve worked hard, but it's been very unexpected," said Eddie Isola, lead singer.

After a sold out North East Tour of the states, the band got right back on the road. This time overseas. Hot off the tails of a sold out European tour, somehow the band managed to record and release their newest single “Hey Julia.”

The song writing process? According to them it took place very organically. They were messing around in their garage, added some chords, and “Hey Julia” was born.

“The name Julia came from misunderstanding a Vampire Weekend lyric, it’s cool it came out very organically, and we were like cool this song’s done we should put it out.”

Performing is something the group loves to do, and being able to give their fans everywhere an opportunity to hear their music live is a dream come true for them.

The music and fans are something that go hand in hand for the band. They can’t talk about the music without talking about the fans because they are so appreciative of the community they have. It has allowed them to go places they never could have imagined.

Their little community is really just that. They spoke about their fans who became friends at their show in Atlanta. The friendship built from their music doesn’t just end at the shows. Those same girls were front row at their set at Bonnaroo.

After almost every show the guys post to their social media a tribute to the fans’. There is always a video of fans screaming back lyrics to the songs.

And the fans show the love right back.

Photo: @avi.warrren

“It’s the same energy as when it was 50 people, but now it's just 10 times that, and it's very cool, and in a very positive way it’s almost intoxicating.”

The thing about this band is that they’re authentic. I think that’s what makes their story so great. No one expects to go viral on TikTok, but it happened to them. They are six friends who genuinely enjoy playing music, not only for themselves, but for their fans. Social media is a way to connect with fans, not just a way for them to get music out.

“It's been very important to us that every comment gets responded to, every message gets responded to. Really we’re lucky to be doing this, and we appreciate people caring in the first place, and everyone adopting this mentality.”

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For updates follow them on TikTok and Instagram. Their new tour dates have just been announced, so click here for tickets information about for their shows!