Shallow Waves are a Canadian band with a unique sound. I dug what I heard and this is what they have to say.
https://www.facebook.com/ShallowWaves/
1.How did you get into music?
When I was around 8-9 years old, my dad had this collection of music called “The 50s Compilations” that were on like 7 cds, and I think that when I first got interested in music. However, it wasn’t till I heard Nirvanas Nevermind (I’m sure that so cliché but that’s what happened) that I really got immersed into that style of music. That’s what inspired me to go out and buy my first guitar, like a million other kids at that time.
When I was around 8-9 years old, my dad had this collection of music called “The 50s Compilations” that were on like 7 cds, and I think that when I first got interested in music. However, it wasn’t till I heard Nirvanas Nevermind (I’m sure that so cliché but that’s what happened) that I really got immersed into that style of music. That’s what inspired me to go out and buy my first guitar, like a million other kids at that time.
2. What inspired the song Shapes?
The inspiration that led to Shapes was mostly the type of music, I was listening to (ranging from current psych bands to 70s krautrock) and what was going on within the band. At that point, the band was going through quite a transition musically and trying to find its footing sonically. We started moving away from being just influenced primarily by alternative rock to a band being immersed by psychedelic sounds and noisy textures.
3. Were you happy how it has been received?
We’re really happy with how Shapes has been received. We’re so ecstatic that so many people are really loving the song and hopefully we’ll get more onboard. I really wouldn’t have imagined how well the release is doing.
4. How does a song start for you?
Well it usually starts with me coming up with a verse and chorus and recording it on my phone. Then I’ll listen to it several times over the next few days, and if I really think I’ve come up with something, Ill record a demo with a full song structure with a drum guide at my home studio setup. Afterwards, I’ll send it to the rest of the band to have a listen. Then, at practice we’ll go over it see what everyone’s input is, if some parts need to be changed or added etc.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Its comes from many places, but lately it’s been coming from what types of music Im listening to, which is a lot of genres outside of what the band identifies with. I think that helps with keeping it interesting. At the end of the day, we’re making music we would listen to and that’s incredibly important to us.
6. Has your songwriting changed from when you were starting out?
I definitely think it has. There is more collaboration within the band for sure. They have a lot more input than in the beginning, where I would bring in completed songs and have them just play the parts. The way we do it now is much more creative and interesting.
7. What has been the best piece of advice you have given about your music career?
The advice I can offer is, keep at it, no matter how frustrating it gets and how much you feel like its not going anywhere, just keep at it. There are so many days that I want to quit but I honestly believe that we’ll get to where we want to be in the end.
8. Why the change in direction in the music from when you were starting out?
Its more to what we were all listening to, as our tastes had evolved, I think mine have gotten weirder, but I think that’s good thing. Also, playing more with other Toronto bands within the psych scene here, has started rubbing off on us.9. Do you have set theme for your music or does it go with the flow and changes?I guess in the beginning there were certain I guess you could say “guidelines” but I feel now there more freedom of movement. A lot of what we write still sounds like Shallow Waves regardless of the direction we get pulled in.
10. Do like to write without inspiration or distractions or do you need a bit of both?
I normally need to have some sort of inspiration when starting a song. Ive tried to just start writing without any basis in the past and have never liked the end results. I find, that I have to have something in mind,its makes everything come together so much easier.
11. How important is having a plan in place for your music?
It’s very important to me to have something in place. Its keeps us organized, and having set goals gives us more of a motivation to reach towards something. The last two years we have hit some major strides for the band and hopefully the future we’ll be able to accomplish more. The trick is not to think too far ahead otherwise the immediate goals get lost in the mix.
12. How important is your brand Shallow Waves?
Its extremely important to me. It’s a project that I started in my bedroom and has evolved incredibly over the years. We have all invested enough time in it that we want to put out the best possible music that we would love to listen can.
