Shadows of Home Interview
Q: Reach EP seems to have a lot of influence from the shoegaze genre. Were there any specific bands that influenced you in the making of this EP? You started playing guitar around three year ago. When did you start writing your own compositions?
A: So I feel like if I was to describe my music to someone, I would say it's a combination of Pink Floyd and the post hardcore group A Hope For Home (without the hardcore trappings obviously) with the sonic atmosphere of shoegaze. I actually don't listen to a whole lot of shoegaze to be honest, but I'm very intrigued by the way it sounds. It's more like I was influenced by the atmosphere of shoegaze than any specific band from that genre. I started writing my own compositions almost immediately, though it took quite some time before I was satisfied with anything I came up with.
Q: Do you think drums will be a part of the equation on any of your future release?
A: I really can't say. See there's a distinct advantage to going it solo, my schedule is the only one I have to worry about and it's kind of a hard sell for me to trade away that freedom.
Q: Reach was a complete DIY effort. Do you plan on hitting a studio at some point or are you going to stick with the DIY method?
A: Ideally at some point. I really like playing guitar and singing and all of that, but I find that I don't have a lot of patience for production.
Q: Can you talk about your songwriting process and how you approach a song?
A: Honestly I start with prayer, like everyday I'm praying for inspiration. Generally inspiration hits when I'm listening to music. I'll get the sense of an idea and from there it starts to form. I write out the lyrics, and will usually edit them once or twice more and then try to come up with the music. I try to pay a lot of attention to the overall feel of the lyrics and riffs when I approach a song, and more than once a riff has been applied to a different set of lyrics because it ends up being a better fit. I try to ask myself what is the total package saying? Like does it all fit together in a cohesive way?
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the themes you confront on the EP?
A: The EP deals a lot with the parts of our lives where we're waiting for answers, deliverance, etc. There's an artist by the name of Julien Baker who put out an album called Sprained Ankle, and it's a beautiful expression of sadness. There's one particular moment at the end of the album during the last song “Go Home.” It's basically a song about wanting to kill yourself. At the end of the song as the words fade out the sound of a radio preacher reading from Acts chapter 2 (which is when Peter preaches to a bunch of people about the Crucifixion) starts playing. As this is going on she starts playing “In Christ Alone,” suggesting where hope lies in the face of all the dark themes dealt with on the album. The reason I think the moment lands is because of all of the dark stuff that preceded it. In short the greater the darkness the greater relief found in the light. I try to bring out themes like this, while pointing to the light found in Christ. A lot of Christian music seems far removed form the experiences of our day-to-day lives, and the things people struggle with. So in writing these more melancholic songs I'm trying to bring out the difficulties of living here, while juxtaposing that with the hope of heaven.
Q: What are your plans for 2017 and beyond in the music world?
A: Well currently I'm working on a full-length album which I'm hoping to release sometime this winter. I'm also trying to build a fanbase in Michigan where I live. Hopefully I'll be able to do some short tours down the road and play more, but other than working on more music nothing is concrete.
Q: Reach EP seems to have a lot of influence from the shoegaze genre. Were there any specific bands that influenced you in the making of this EP? You started playing guitar around three year ago. When did you start writing your own compositions?
A: So I feel like if I was to describe my music to someone, I would say it's a combination of Pink Floyd and the post hardcore group A Hope For Home (without the hardcore trappings obviously) with the sonic atmosphere of shoegaze. I actually don't listen to a whole lot of shoegaze to be honest, but I'm very intrigued by the way it sounds. It's more like I was influenced by the atmosphere of shoegaze than any specific band from that genre. I started writing my own compositions almost immediately, though it took quite some time before I was satisfied with anything I came up with.
Q: Do you think drums will be a part of the equation on any of your future release?
A: I really can't say. See there's a distinct advantage to going it solo, my schedule is the only one I have to worry about and it's kind of a hard sell for me to trade away that freedom.
Q: Reach was a complete DIY effort. Do you plan on hitting a studio at some point or are you going to stick with the DIY method?
A: Ideally at some point. I really like playing guitar and singing and all of that, but I find that I don't have a lot of patience for production.
Q: Can you talk about your songwriting process and how you approach a song?
A: Honestly I start with prayer, like everyday I'm praying for inspiration. Generally inspiration hits when I'm listening to music. I'll get the sense of an idea and from there it starts to form. I write out the lyrics, and will usually edit them once or twice more and then try to come up with the music. I try to pay a lot of attention to the overall feel of the lyrics and riffs when I approach a song, and more than once a riff has been applied to a different set of lyrics because it ends up being a better fit. I try to ask myself what is the total package saying? Like does it all fit together in a cohesive way?
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the themes you confront on the EP?
A: The EP deals a lot with the parts of our lives where we're waiting for answers, deliverance, etc. There's an artist by the name of Julien Baker who put out an album called Sprained Ankle, and it's a beautiful expression of sadness. There's one particular moment at the end of the album during the last song “Go Home.” It's basically a song about wanting to kill yourself. At the end of the song as the words fade out the sound of a radio preacher reading from Acts chapter 2 (which is when Peter preaches to a bunch of people about the Crucifixion) starts playing. As this is going on she starts playing “In Christ Alone,” suggesting where hope lies in the face of all the dark themes dealt with on the album. The reason I think the moment lands is because of all of the dark stuff that preceded it. In short the greater the darkness the greater relief found in the light. I try to bring out themes like this, while pointing to the light found in Christ. A lot of Christian music seems far removed form the experiences of our day-to-day lives, and the things people struggle with. So in writing these more melancholic songs I'm trying to bring out the difficulties of living here, while juxtaposing that with the hope of heaven.
Q: What are your plans for 2017 and beyond in the music world?
A: Well currently I'm working on a full-length album which I'm hoping to release sometime this winter. I'm also trying to build a fanbase in Michigan where I live. Hopefully I'll be able to do some short tours down the road and play more, but other than working on more music nothing is concrete.