The Front Bottoms, a renowned rock band led by Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich, is all set to bring their annual Champagne Jam festival to Atlantic City, N.J. on Dec. 14. This event marks a significant milestone as it is the biggest one they have ever organized. Sella expresses his excitement, stating, "It always sneaks up on you. This particular Champagne Jam is the biggest one we have ever done. I feel so lucky and it feels like such an accomplishment."

Reflecting on a Decade of Music

Approaching their 10th year, the band looks back on their journey with pride. The small-scale music festival, which first took place in December 2014, has become a special occasion where they perform alongside friends and favorite bands. Sella emphasizes, "We invest a lot into the shows, personally and emotionally. Each one is exciting. Even if it was a really small show, as long as everybody there was having a good time, it was a special event. We try to maintain that energy of always doing it for the people in the room."As the festival returns to their home state and they put on bicoastal shows, including two in Anaheim, Calif. on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23, it showcases their growing popularity. The east coast show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will feature guests like Sweet Pill; Hey, Nothing; Glitterer; Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band; Matt Pryor; Well Wisher; Chris Gethard; Benny Feldman; and Palamino.

The Meaning Behind Champagne Jam

Sella explains the significance of the festival's name. "We call it the Champagne Jam because when we were younger, the whole thing was you had to finish a bottle of champagne on stage. So, the sets would sometimes be really long because it would take us a long time to finish it. Or sometimes they’d be really quick because we’d be drinking them really fast. Because of that, I don’t have too many memories of the shows, but they’re all very special to me, and I feel lucky to get to do it."The band has taken the festival worldwide, with sold-out jams in London during their Road to the Jam U.K. tour last year. Sella hopes for its continued growth in a natural way. "I would love to have it keep growing in the way that it has been — just in a natural way. Maybe next year, there will be an opportunity to do it somewhere bigger or more unique."

Balancing Touring and Music

While deeply involved in the Champagne Jam groove, the band is also on their Finding Your Way Home tour in support of their 2023 album, You Are Who You Hang Out With. Sella admits, "It is a little hectic. Me and Mat [Uychich] basically do everything. He is very good with administrative work, and I’m the emotional one. It is intense, but again, I always go back to how lucky I am to do this. Everything comes together. That’s something you realize in this industry. The show is gonna happen and as long as you’re there with a good vibe, it’ll be okay."

Overcoming Challenges in the Music Industry

Candidly, Sella shares the biggest challenge he has faced in the music industry - having confidence while putting out new songs. "Years and years ago, it was just a very natural thing. I was just in my room playing my guitar, reading my poems, and then putting it out for the world to hear. I didn’t really think of any other steps involved." He adds, "Now that I have gotten older, and I am a little more aware that there are people listening to this stuff, it is just about staying true to myself and remembering that all ideas are good. And also realizing that people who like our music are waiting for us to tell them what’s cool."Looking back fondly, Sella mentions the band's self-titled 2011 LP. "A lot of those songs came together very naturally. That is one that I can go back and listen to, and be like, ‘Wow, this is very unique, good-feeling music.’ "When asked about releasing new music next year, he is certain. "Absolutely. 2023 and 2024 were a little rough. We had a couple practice spaces where I would go to write music that flooded. I basically just spent the past six months at my own house, building a little sort of demo studio room so that I could just get back into making music and putting out stuff when I feel like it. That’s going to be big for me in the new year. I’m just excited to keep the art going and feel more comfortable in the space."Tickets for Champagne Jam are now on sale, inviting music lovers to be a part of this special event.