A Q&A with Winterbeach
Dark synthpop from Bergen – here are Tiam (vocals), Angel (synths) and Baz (drums) from Winterbeach…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
Tiam: We just released the single ‘Sky & Stars’. To me, personally, it symbolises the soaring lightness of a love affair and, at the same time, the deepest valleys it can take you through.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Baz: It must have been the lack of time and opportunities where one physically meets up as a band together. Due to Corona, it has been mostly digital meetings in the last year.
What do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
Tiam: We record and produce our own songs, but always hire an experienced and skilled producer to mix them. It’s always a good idea to get someone outside to hear, evaluate and adjust the songs before releasing! The first thing you become deaf to are your ears. We always love to hear a simple sketch take shape and evolve through the production process.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
Tiam: We want them to be happy in a sad way! Or maybe moody in a good way? Or just happy in a glorious way!
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
Tiam: Angel has his own ability to unstoppably come up with new synth themes that Baz and I taste, wiggle and twist before we put them together as a band into complete WB compositions.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Angel: I know that I have taken a lot of inspiration from Depeche Mode, Muse and Alphaville but I still think we have first and foremost taken inspiration from each other. It is us together who have added our musical history to the band and together created our sound.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Angel: Could very well think of United Kingdom and Wembley Stadium.
Tiam: I would love to play everywhere they want us! Except from the Nordic countries, I would love to tour UK again, Germany, Italy, France etc etc. Even on Saturn I would do a gig!
Baz: Just give me a stage, some fans and a drumkit and I would play anywhere!
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
Angel: Listen to ‘Sky & Stars’! It’s definitely a catchy, energetic song that makes you want to dance. If, on the other hand, you are a slightly darker and more philosophical kind of person, I would probably recommend ‘Playing Dead’ which is the title song of our album which will be released on May 21st.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
Tiam: Oh! The ambitions are always high, but still not unrealistically high. We have been in the game for a long time and know how difficult the music industry can be. But at the same time, we’ve picked up dozens of tricks and tips over the years that we’ll now use for all it’s worth.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Tiam: What a wonderful audience! It has been a real honour to play for you! You mean everything to us! See you at Wembley…?
For more info visit: facebook.com/WinterBeachMusic
