Today we speak to dark synthpop band WinterBeach about their unique musical style and how intense research and their home climate inspired their band name.
Band Name: WinterBeach
Members: Angel (synths), Baz (drums) & Tiam (vocals)
Genre: Dark Synthpop
Founded: July 2014
Originated From: Bergen, Norway
Discography: Sky & Stars (single), Playing Dead (LP)
How would you describe your music?
Our music might be described as Muse without guitars, Keane after electroshock treatment, Alphaville on modern synths or maybe just like a modern speaking Modern Talking..?
What is your musical creative process like?
Usually, it starts with Angel drafting a song, which in turn is processed by the band. Most songs start with only music, and without lyrics, which has given Tiam a lot of leeway with Mal McNaughton to write lyrics and to find or possibly change melody lines.
Our drummer, Baz, creates the drum patterns.
So, it’s a complex process where we all contribute to create the end result. This also gives everyone an ownership of the song.
How did the band form?
We have played together in another band since 2012, and reformed as WinterBeach in the summer of 2014. Baz has previously played with Tiam in Flare between 2000 and 2011.
How did you come up with your band name?
Well, it’s almost impossible to find band names nowadays, since almost all the obvious cool names already have been taken! But we always knew that a special and appropriate band name was waiting for us – somewhere, we just had to find it.
So, a list was made of all sorts of cool potential band names we came across and the list didn’t stop before we had 1077 names on the block! After googling all the candidates, it turned out that only one of them was available!
The choice was easy. And by a strange coincidence WinterBeach fits perfectly with the mood the music stands for – Cold in a summery way … Just like the Norwegian summers.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
The members of WinterBeach have very different musical sources of inspiration. We can be inspired by everything from classical music to black metal.
From discopop to indie rock. And of music all the way back from the 60’s until 2021. But our heart is probably rooted in the 80’s, then primed and sharpened by the decades after”
Baz has always been fascinated by pop and rock since the 80’s. He was very interested in drums, but it was only when he got to try a friend’s drum kit that he became completely hooked on drums. He immediately started playing drums in a newly started local band.
Angel has taken a lot of inspiration from Depeche Mode, Muse, Alphaville but still thinks we have first and foremost taken inspiration from each other. It is we together who have added our musical history to the band and together created our sound.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
In fact, we haven’t played live with WinterBeach yet but have a lot of live experience with previous bands. Our favourite concert was when we played in Flare.
We played with Coolplay in Stratford (UK), the audience sang along to all the songs and the atmosphere was ecstatic.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
It’s really fun to make new songs, record them in the studio and play concerts. We simply love the process of evolving a sketch into a finalised song that we’re 100% satisfied with! It gives us total satisfaction!
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
The problem is that time is not always enough. We should have had more time to work with music. We have managed to squeeze in one extra hour between 24 o’clock and 0 o’clock. It helps a lot.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
First, we have to finish the music video for our single Sky & Stars. Then we look forward to making new songs and playing concerts.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
The ultimate dream is to play on big stages abroad, such as at Wembley Stadium. We can’t see anything wrong with a completely ordinary sweaty gig in front of an over enthusiastic audience on a tiny, packed London stage.
It would be fantastic to finally meet and talk to fans again – anywhere at anytime
We’d also love to play on some of the great summer festivals, such as Roskilde, which is a personal favourite.
You can find out more about WinterBeach by visiting their website and following them on Facebook,Instagram, Spotify and YouTube.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Like Rock For Disability on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @P94Emma & donate via PayPal
