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The Emerging Artists Series at Summerfest gives lesser known artists the opportunity to play their music for a large audience. One of these lucky bands is Milwaukee's own Space Raft, who takes the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage on July 5 at 6:45 p.m. Space Raft’s sound mimics the psychedelic rock sounds from the '60s and '70s mixed with powerpop of the '70s and '90s.

Jordan Davis, the lead vocalist and guitarist, spoke to OnMilwaukee about the band's new album, opening for Bernie Sanders, teen angst and Neil Young.

OnMilwaukee: I understand that most of the members were part of previous local acts. How did the band get together? How does this band differ from the previous one(s) you’ve been a part of?

Jordan Davis: When Space Raft was founded, I was between projects at the time. I was looking to find a broader palette for myself and wanted to hook up with some like-minded musicians who were also looking to push the envelope a little further than where we had been before. I think what differs between Space Raft and my own previous projects may just be a sense of artistic maturity; much of what I had done in my youth was destructive and wild. Space Raft is more about bringing the pieces together rather than tearing them down. 

Why did you decide to name yourselves Space Raft?

We debated band names for many weeks once we got together and started putting our material together. Band names can be a make or break thing for a good band, and we thought we owed it to ourselves to title this project something that we can be happy with long term. This led to a lot of pressure as far as choosing the right name, which in turn ultimately led to a lot of sleepless nights.

One night, I made a list of free association band names and came up with a bunch of names which we all kind of voted on. Space Raft stuck because it conveyed some our avant garde ambitions yet was humble enough to literally mean the slowest form of space travel, almost as if we were poking fun at ourselves right out of the gate. It was important to us to have a name that did not take itself too seriously, much like the mood between us when we are just hanging out. We certainly take our art seriously, but this is rock and roll, and it is supposed to be fun by nature. 

Your sound seems incredibly inspired by the '70s and '90s. What bands from that era influenced Space Raft?

I was miserable in the '90s and don't really actively listen to much of anything that would be considered '90s music. However, I was a young guy in that decade and really began my self-realization close to the early '90s, mainly starting with Nirvana and Sonic Youth and later closing out the decade with bands like Spiritualized. So I am not sure if the '90s element people hear in Space Raft is a product of upbringing or just environment and exposure.

We do listen to a lot of music from 1970s; I've always been compelled by stuff from the pre-punk era in all of its weirdo art rock/proto glam/bubble gum glory. I think the very early seventies kind of benefited from all the advancements in recording gear – some for the better, some for the worst – but it was kind of like opening Pandora’s box as far as pop music was concerned.

Most of the stuff we really like was made by people who are long dead, and in many ways, we are trying to continue a tradition of music that has since fallen out of fashion. We're aren't a throwback by any means, but I'll maintain that the past is always relevant in music as we are continually building upon discoveries musicians have been making communally for hundreds of years. 

Would feel comfortable elaborating on why you were miserable in the '90s?

(Laughs) Sure. I graduated from high school in 2000, so the '90s were my formative years and also my most confusing. I moved around a lot; I think I lived in eight different homes that decade in two different cities. Gave me a heavy helping of teenage angst and rebellion, not really knowing where I fit in and feeling invisible simultaneously. I wasn't an athlete, and I wasn't much of a scholar; I only started to figure things out for myself when I started writing and playing music, finding my voice and starting to feel somewhat comfortable in my own skin.

Can you talk about how your new album "Rubicon" differs from your first album, "Space Raft"?

As the writer of this material, I would say that "Rubicon" is a great deal darker and earthier than "Space Raft." Many of the songs on "Rubicon" are about mortality and, in some minor way, the theme of legacy, struggling with grief and what we leave behind us when we return to dust. In some ways, this is even a slightly spiritual record to me, as it touches on the struggles of existence. "Rubicon" is also more indicative of the band functioning as a cohesive unit; I demoed almost all of this material directly with the band, so we kind of grew with the material instead of me writing alone and working out arrangements in solitude. 

I heard you opened for Bernie Sanders. What was that like?

It was definitely a high point in each of our lives. To be asked to participate in that way was the highest of honors – especially in a campaign year where it seems so many young people have lost faith in the electorate and the delegate system. So much is on the line for our country right now, but standing up on that stage, you could almost feel that line moving. 

Did you get the opportunity to meet him? 

We had the opportunity to meet him twice and share some words; he was very gracious to all the participating musicians, and it was a very humbling experience. I am fairly distrusting of any one that would want to run for public office as I believe it has become more of a narcissistic endeavor than an altruistic one. However, Bernie very much seems to inspire the best out of people, and I honestly believe he wants to share his message with people rather than benefit from it. Not only do I want his talking points to become a reality for myself and my family, I would also very much wish the same for my neighbors and any member of my community at large. I think anyone inspiring selflessness in our current culture of personal gain is doing the good work.

What’s the most memorable performance you’ve seen at Summerfest in the past years? Is there anyone you’re looking forward to seeing this year?

I saw Neil Young and Promise of the Real last year at the Amphitheater with one of my best friends. It was my first and only time seeing Neil Young, and I will never ever forget it. I would love to see Willie Nelson, but unfortunately it's not in the budget for this year. 

What should fans expect to see at your live performance? 

Well, we have a lot of passion for perpetuating rock and roll music. What I hope people see when they come to hear us is an honest band playing raw and in the moment. We take our responsibility to the audience very seriously and sincerely want everyone to enjoy themselves and have a good time.