The Novel Ideas recently made a triumphant return to Boston and showed off some new tunes in the process. They’ve made a name for themselves with their standout harmonies and pragmatic, emotional lyrical content. They hit the road this past year with a solidified lineup in support of their debut album, Home. Now, with a third lead singer in the mix, their modus operandi is changing, and with impressive results. We caught up to them to talk about touring, songwriting, and, naturally, cookouts.

Allston Pudding: How did it feel to play in Boston after being on the road?

Daniel Radin: It felt, as it always feels, great to finally be home. As I said on stage though, it’s so much more nerve-wracking playing for friends and family then people I don’t know. Not totally sure why.

Sarah Grella: It felt great to be back in Boston! There was definitely a feeling of coming home for me, but I will say there is nowhere I am more nervous to perform than for family and friends.

AP: Aside from Boston, what has been your favorite city to visit and play in?

DR: We had a great show in Lincoln, NE at Zoo Bar. It was very unexpected as we’d never played in Lincoln or even Nebraska before. We also got to spend a week in Austin before playing there which was a lot of fun. It’s always nice to actually get to explore a city while on tour, often you just see the inside and outside of the venue and then move on.

Danny Hoshino: I loved playing in the Midwest. The culture around seeing live music in a lot of those towns is really refreshing. People not only come out to see bands they’ve never heard of, but come to really listen and be attentive to the performance. It’s a great feeling playing to connect with people that way.

SG: We went to so many great places that I had never been before and I wish we could have spent more time in. At the end of tour we got to spend an extended time in Austin, Texas which was great. That city has so much culture and life and it was cool to see the river that goes through downtown just filled with paddle-boarders and boats. Also, there was a fast food place that had such good veggie burgers that I almost cried when eating one because I knew I wouldn’t have another one for a while.

AP: You’ve established yourselves with an indie-folk sound, but what inspired some of the country sensibilities that are making their way into your new songs?

DR: Part of what has inspired me has been what I’ve been listening to. I absolutely love old country music; Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, etc. I feel as though what’s missing from country you might hear on the radio now is that emotion that artists captured so well in the past.

AP: How have the songwriting duties changed now that you’re writing with a solidified lineup? Has touring affected the songwriting dynamic?

DH: Since our lineup has solidified the songwriting process has become that much more collaborative. Our three lead singers do the bulk of the actual composition, but the arrangements and the forms are settled on with the whole band’s input. Touring definitely has an effect on songwriting. The frequent performances and travel make it hard at times to have the creative energy to work on new ideas, and from a practical standpoint it makes it hard to practice as a group. On the other hand, having spent some time away from writing gives fresh perspective and ideas when we do have time to spend writing.

AP: During your show at Great Scott you played some tracks that we hadn’t heard yet. Do you have plans for an upcoming album?

DR: We do have plans! None of which we can announce quite yet but we’ll have exciting details coming soon!

AP: What were you up to for the Fourth of July?

DR: We had a BBQ at the house we practice at. My deep dark secret is that I usually prefer eating inside versus outside so the fact that it was raining didn’t bother me.

AP: We’re very pro-BBQ at Allston Pudding. Favorite cookout food?

DR: Well we’ve got four vegetarians in the band so I suppose a veggie burger. We eat a lot of veggie burgers on tour.

AP: Physical location played a huge role in the songs on your first album. Is that a theme you plan to continue with your new material?

DR: It definitely still does for me. Being away from someone you want to be with, whether literally or figuratively, makes for strong emotions, and for me, that means I’ll write about it. Especially now that we’re going to be on the road a lot more often, I expect physical location will still play a big role in our songs, but in a different way than before.

AP: What’s your favorite band from Boston?

DR: James and I live with members of Magic Man, Photocomfort, and Gabe Goodman. I love all of their music. But besides them I’d have to say Speedy Ortiz (though they’re technically from Western Mass). I met Sadie ages ago in her old band Quilty and know Darl (Dan) from High School. They are going to be huge and I can’t wait.

AP: Favorite novel and character within?

DR: I just finished Skippy Dies by Paul Murray and absolutely loved it. Though the best character I’ve read recently would have to be Jerome Coe in the book Fever Chart by Bill Cotter. I just felt so many feelings for and about him.

AP: Give us two truths and a lie about the band.

James loves Spongebob Squarepants.

Danny and Daniel have been friends since Kindergarten.

Sarah is undefeated in Mario Kart.

Check out The Novel Ideas performing “Old Ways” for Hardwick Sessions: