This interview has been edited for clarity.

Life for frontman Danny Davis of Husbands drastically changed during the creation of the band’s latest LP CUATRO. This was the first project Davis worked on after abandoning the nine-to-five life to fully pursue music, without the help of his long-time friend/ex-bandmate Wil Norton. The beachy, indie-pop album was released on October 13 and serves as an outlet for Davis as he navigates these life alterations. The Oklahoma City-based band also consists of guitarist Zach Zeller, drummer Alberto Roubert and bassist Ethan Wilcox. I had the opportunity to chat with Davis about the new album, recent shows, adulting advice and Boston record store recommendations before Husbands’ show at the Middle East Upstairs on November 10.

Alexa Maddi: Hey Danny! How are you doing today?

Danny Davis: I’m good! I’m just pouring myself another cup of coffee and walking upstairs. We’re in Toronto on a day off.

AM: Oh, awesome! Well, I’m super excited to ask you a few questions about the tour and Cuatro, the new album. Shall we dive in?

Davis: Yeah, let’s go!

*Image courtesy of* *@justintown27* *on Instagram*

AM: Cool. Obviously you guys are on tour for the new album, which is so exciting. How are you feeling about it so far? How have the vibes been?

Davis: Vibes have been great. We’re feeling really good. We started in some smaller markets in the beginning and are building up to bigger cities. We just played in Chicago three days ago and it sold out. This was kind of our first sell-out in a city that wasn’t our own hometown where we were the headliners. So, this was a momentous moment for us that felt really good — and the crowd was amazing. Chicago was always a fun place for us to play, but other cities have been fun too. We played Indianapolis for the first time and that was a blast. I’ve just been having a good time on the road, but it’s at the halfway point right now, so we are in machine mode.

AM: Love to hear it! I’m obsessed with the new album. I haven’t been able to stop listening since it came out. I was wondering what you could tell me about the project and what it was like to create something for the first time without your bandmate, Wil Norton?

Davis: I appreciate that! It was interesting because before — especially in the latter stages of albums — that's when [Wil and I] really put our heads together. That’s how the last record had worked and sort of the one before that. I would get most of the initial stuff recorded and written, like lyrics and chord structures, and Wil would really shine whenever it came time for production choices and instrumentation in addition to those songs he wrote. So, it was weird doing it myself for the first time. I feel like I was ready for it, though. It has sort of been that way for a while, progressively, as his commitments built up and mine built down. I quit my nine-to-five between the last album and this one, so I had time to finally fully focus on [creating] it.

[The creative process] was really fun, and there were still people involved. The drummer from our band [Alberto Roubert] and guitar player, Zach [Zeller], both got to contribute more because they love the same music as I do. They have interesting ideas and they're great musicians, so it was fun to bring in the other guys from the band more than we had in the past for this newest record. We also had our producer Chad Copelin, and the stuff he does with our sounds is always really inspiring. Wil acted as the challenger to my ideas in the past, which was always a good thing because it would make me come up with something better. So, I had to act as my own challenger this time and try to keep myself to the standard that we set before.

AM: I think the album turned out great! My personal favorite songs are “Super New China,” and “Vangelis.” I’m curious what your favorite songs are, and what your favorite songs have been to play live?

Davis: Thanks! Let’s see. Right now, we only know how to play like half the record. I think we know 7 out of the 11 songs. We’re going to learn the rest for the West Coast run, but of the ones that we know how to play, I would say, “Can't Do Anything.” It's my favorite to play because it's been out the longest and the first single. When the chorus of that one hits, people will sing along to that more than than any of the other ones at this point. My favorite thing about playing live is when people sing along. I get stoked when I see [people sing], and it makes me excited as I’m playing it!

My favorite from the record changes a lot. It's funny because we finished that record in March and then had to wait almost seven months — until October — to put it out, just because that's how those cycles work. So, when we had to learn the songs, I was reacquainting myself with my feelings on them with a fresh perspective. I know that my favorite song when we finished the album is different from my favorite one now. Now, I think my favorite might be “Lost Weekend.” I like how that one has certain parts that are dynamically different. There's a shift after the intro part and the chorus is loud. We’re excited to eventually play that. It's fresher — as far as not hearing it every night — so I think I'm digging it right now.

AM: I know you mentioned earlier that you’re done with the nine-to-five life and I’m just curious, how’s it going?

Davis: [Laughs] I'm feeling pretty awesome. I mean, it was a scary thing to do because I've done it for nine years. I love my parents, but you feel like you scare them when you do something like that and [satisfying your parents] is always on your mind. But at some point, I realized that I would be happier making less money and having more time to myself. I started to understand that I valued my time much more than whatever I was getting from the time I spent working. I just need to do music with more time to do it. Music is what fulfills me and it's free for me to just sit at home and make music all day. Luckily, I have this band as an outlet to work on it and connect with people. So, it felt like the right time, and it's one of those things where there are no guarantees with anything. I didn't know what was going to happen, but it seems like it's worked out so far.

I do have a part-time thing where I work for this yoga app as an audio engineer, but it's a small thing to fill in any gaps in terms of surviving and paying the bills. It’s been amazing to do your life's purpose. Not to get too philosophical or anything, but it does feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. I think anybody who's on the fence with something like that, I would say as long as you got — I don't wanna say [a] safety net — but some sort of backup or part-time job where you can get by, that gives you more time to do what you want. [If] you know it’s going to fulfill you, then I say go for it. Short answer is feeling great haha!

AM: That’s so great to hear. I definitely relate because I wanna do music journalism or work in the music industry in general. I know I won’t make much compared to other jobs, but it makes me happy so I’m gonna keep doing it. Thank you for that.

Davis: Yeah! I love your questions. I mean, it seems like you’re really good at what you’re doing! I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

AM: I appreciate that! I know you’re playing in the Boston area on November 10 at the Middle East Upstairs. As an Oklahoma native, what are you most excited about in terms of coming to Boston?

Davis: Well, we've been there, I think, twice — but both times were really quick. We showed up in the evening, played our show and left in the morning for the next one. I think that’s how it's structured again, but that being said, Boston is just a city that is so rich in culture. I just remember wandering the streets and being struck at how enormous everything was. I don't really know what I'm looking forward to because we've gone through so fast. Do you have any thoughts on what we should do?

AM: Yeah! There’s this really awesome record store in Cambridge called Cheapo Records right next to the venue you’re playing at. They have a bunch of awesome merch and a great selection of records.

Davis: We’ve been [hitting up record stores] more than on other trips! We’re big on sampling beats and what-not. I’m a collector, myself, so it’s a fun thing to check a pulse on the city a little bit. That’s a perfect recommendation.

AM: If you go to downtown Boston, you have to hit up Newbury Street. It’s a classic and where all the nice boutique stores are.

Davis: Okay, Newbury Street, and you said Chupa Records?

AM: No, haha! Cheapo.

Davis: [Laughs] Oh! Oh! Cheapo!

AM: Yeah, they have a bunch of cheap records — as you can see from their name.

Davis: [Chuckles] I like that. Do you have a vintage store that you go to a lot?

AM: Yes! If you guys have time, you should go to The Vintage Underground next to Paradise Rock Club and Boston University. They have a great selection and the prices are out of this world. They also have records there, so maybe that’s the best bet for you guys.

Davis: I will definitely put that on the list. We will check because, generally, the Northeast drives are smaller than going West or something. I’m thinking, if we wake up early enough, we could figure something out. Okay — so, Vintage Underground. Newbury Street. Cheapo Records. I’m gonna write this down after we get off this call.

AM: Is there anything else you wanted to add about the album or tour?

Davis: I hope people are listening to and enjoying the record! If you haven’t heard it, listen to it and share it with your friends if you like it. Follow us online because we’re doing stuff haha! Nothing to add, just feeling good out here.

Danny Davis of Husbands Discusses CUATRO, Tour and Finally Quitting His 9-5 Job