Getting to Know… WinterBeach | Interview 🎤

On the 186th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the scoop from Norwegian darkwave synthpop band, WinterBeach. 

When asked what makes the band, 🎙 WinterBeach distinct, 🎙 Baz answers, “Our uniqueness is due to the distinctiveness of vocals, keyboards and drumming.” In addition to Baz (drums), the rest of the Norwegian darkwave synthpop band – the subject of our 186^th Q&A in our getting to know series – is comprised of 🎙 Tiam (vocals) and 🎙 Angel (keyboards). Both join Baz in providing us with the scoop on their picturesque collective.  Tiam, for example, informs us of the “unspoken plan” of the trio: “… To become the 2020s hybrid of Aha, Alphaville and Depeche Mode.” Cool! Rather than spoil any more of the experience, why not let the band speak for themselves on Getting to Know… WinterBeach: Interview No. 186!

Starting things off, for those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes WinterBeach distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

🎤 Baz: I believe our uniqueness is due to the distinctiveness of vocals, keyboards and drumming. It’s an interestingly perfect mix.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did WinterBeach form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

🎤 Tiam: The three of us used to play in another indie band named Quiet Men but soon learned that 5 band members were at least a few too many! So, we decided to split into two bands which also gave us the opportunity to focus on a fully synthetic route and clean away all traces of real instruments. Our unspoken plan was to become the 2020s hybrid of Aha, Alphaville and Depeche Mode.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

🎤 Angel: My personal goal is to play at the old Wembley Stadium, but I don’t know if that is possible anymore?

🎤 Baz: Well, we do not have a written down exact goal. The goal in itself is really to purify the music style so that everyone can recognize that it is WinterBeach in a matter of seconds, and then frantically grab the volume button and turn all the way to the top!

🎤 Tiam: But our first and most immediate goal is to release the album, 💿 Playing Dead, and after that, do the exact opposite of the album title: ‘playing live!’

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

🎤 Baz: I’m inspired by drummers like Phil Collins, Lars Ulrich, Jeff Porcaro and Randy Castillo. I steal tricks and ideas from these that give me as a drummer my own style. I’m often referred to as the living drum-machine 😊.

🎤 Tiam: When you have been digging music for as long as we have, it is almost impossible to say who or what are the sources of inspiration. That’s basically everything we’ve been listening to over the years. Everything from The Beatles, via 80’s pop, via all strange forms of hard rock, 90’s grunge, Britpop and Eurodance, 2000’s high quality pop and modern EDM-like stuff.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

🎤 Baz: The most fun must have been when a concert was canceled on tour in China. At the hotel, we happened to meet a guy in the elevator who made sure that we instead got to perform on a TV show along with, among others, China’s biggest pop star! Got to go on red carpet and stuff.

🎤 Tiam: I agree! A crazy night from start to beginning, and for long after that!

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

🎤 Angel: Good question and a difficult one to answer actually. But If I were to choose just one it would be 🎵 “Playing Dead”. I love the lyrics in that song, and it reflects some of our times most important challenges. What do we do with the world that we are handing over to our children …”

🎤 Baz: My favorite recording is also “Playing Dead (to survive).” The children’s choir in the end makes this song very special.

🎤 Tiam: In fact it’s our daughters singing 😊 My personal favorite is probably 🎵 “Sky & Stars”. Incredibly catchy chorus and a slightly unorthodox mix of Eurodance, EDM and heavy synthwave. I love the up-liftyness.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

🎤 Tiam: Well, almost everything with us is left or right of center, so it would probably be easier to list what is in the center instead? On the other hand, that’s sooo boring reading 😉.

Closing things out, what WinterBeach currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

🎤 Tiam: The first secret has already been revealed! There will be a good old-fashioned LP on May 21st. After that we start making new music, which will be extra exciting as I have just started my songwriting education at The Songwriter Academy in London and look forward to using new tricks in new songs!

Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward.

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Getting to Know… WinterBeach: Interview No. 186 🎤 [📷: The Animal Farm, WinterBeach, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype]