Band Name: Slow Wave
Country: Australia
Release title: Sunriser
Release style/genre: Alternative, Chill, Psychedelic Pop
Band Members: Max Morris
Slow Wave music on Spotify.
About the Artist
When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?
My earliest memories of music are from my mother who would always play music around the house when I was a child, notably The Beatles, Queen & Pink Floyd.
These moments in time absorbing a diverse range of emotions without knowing exactly what they were planted a seed deep inside my mind that hasn’t left ever since.
I eventually picked up a guitar at a young age and began exploring musical ideas which led to joining a few bands in my teens.
While I loved playing in bands I came to the realisation one day that I wasn’t fully satisfied and had an itch that would only be scratched by making music myself.
Once I started learning how to produce/mix and develop the tools to properly experiment with the ideas I had, I fell in love with the process of creating music more than ever before.
In the end what drew me the most to music is how magic can be created out of nothing but sonic waves. My fascination with this concept and how sound can evoke emotions, alter one’s perspective, and leave an indelible mark on the human mind through something as simple as a melody or the nuance of an instrument continues to be my source of inspiration.
What would you say are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?
For me it’s all about finding ways to portray feelings and emotions. To create a soundtrack for a moment in time.
My goal has always been the hope that I can find a way to replicate those warm fuzzy feelings that music has blessed me with over the years and hopefully make others feel the same way.
Could you describe what part of the creative process is particularly dear to you?
Definitely the writing & experimenting phase. Exploring sound and tone, finding unique and interesting ways for instruments to play off of each other to create a certain mood or finding the perfect chord to represent what is trying to be captured.
The amazing rush and elation when a new song idea is starting to form together is the greatest feeling in the world. It’s the only time I feel my true self on a level deeper than anything else.
Listening can be both a solitary and a communal activity. Likewise, creating music can be private or collaborative. Do you have a preference?
Personally I prefer working alone. It took many years to realise that this is the creative process that works best for me.
I found that working in bands always left me feeling slightly unfulfilled and gave me a deep desire to get what I was imagining in my head out in some form.
While working alone definitely comes with it’s own set of challenges I find that these challenges bring the best out of me and demand a certain level of quality and expectation which continually pushes the art forward.
Art can be a way of dealing with the big topics in life: life, loss, death, love, pain, and many more. In which way has music – either your own or that of others – contributed to your understanding of these questions?
Music and art is definitely a way of processing emotions and life events. Or at least a way of reflecting upon them.
In my early years, music got me through many tough and confusing times. Nowadays music is like therapy, a way to digest and reflect upon life, the future and feelings of nostalgia.
I can’t imagine life without it.
About the Album
Tell us about your new album Sunriser. Is there a story behind it? What were the influences or inspirations to write it?
Sunriser isn’t so much a story as it is a mood board. A collection of moments in time.
The album revolves around themes of nostalgia, love, hope and fear of the unknown. The interesting ways these concepts work together to dictate the decisions we make moving forward.
The title Sunriser felt fitting for these themes as a way to verbalise the aspects of hope in a new day, love in the warmth the sun provides, nostalgia for another day passed by and our uncertainty in the unknowns that lie ahead for us.
These ideas felt extremely relevant for me, especially in today’s climate.
Could you describe your creative process behind the album? Where did the ideas come from, how were they transformed in your mind, what did you start with and how do you refine these beginnings into a finished song?
I like to begin my creative process by giving myself plenty of freedom and time to simply create ideas without any expectations.
This process allows me to feel more open to trying new ideas without fear of thinking “is this good enough?”.
The source of these ideas can vary a lot, anything from improvising in the studio to a melody popping into mind whilst out and about.
Sometimes these ideas can be throwaways and other times a gem will appear that can present a plethora of new directions to go in.
Eventually, over time these ideas slowly filter down into a group of songs that I feel work cohesively together which I can then start getting into the nitty gritty and polishing/fine tuning towards the final product.
What’s your view of lyrics with “messages”? Is there a main message you want to be delivered within the album?
I’m a big believer in show and don’t tell in the musical sense. I love to subtly portray emotions or feelings rather than directly tell a story.
I would much rather leave room for interpretation to apply to the listeners’ own experiences. I personally feel this creates a much stronger connection to the music.
But if I had to choose a message the album delivers it would be that nostalgia has a profound effect on us and the way we make decisions in our lives. Finding balance in creating a world that is familiar but also making sure to step into the unknown occasionally in hopes of creating something even better than before.
Releasing music is such a mammoth effort. What are the biggest challenges? What things did you learn in the process?
Personally the biggest challenge for me is always the decision making and mixing process. It can be a tedious and constant balancing act.
I’m the sort of person who tends to see both sides of any situation so committing to certain ideas or themes can prove challenging but the more hard decisions you force yourself to make and try to ignore the “what-if’s” the stronger you can become overall.
I’ve learned that going with your gut is generally the best tactic.
How did you go about choosing your recording/mixing/mastering engineer? Any advice for anyone else currently going through the process?
I wanted to find a mastering engineer who was kind and understanding of the music. I luckily stumbled across Cefe when researching options before my first EP and can’t imagine working with anyone else!
My advice is to find someone who is willing to see things objectively but also help you feel comfortable to achieve your vision no matter what.
What formats will be the release available on? What is the best place for people to find and support your music?
Sunriser will be available digitally and my socials are the best place to connect with me and my music.
The album is also available on Bandcamp if you wish to support me directly.
Find Slow Wave on social media
If you enjoyed these thoughts by Slow Wave and would like to find out more about their work, visit their official channels below.