Interview between tunewave and ellie Cope

Tell me about the process of making the EP - what was the most exciting element to recording this project? What was the biggest challenge?

Making this EP was the most fun I’ve had on a project so far. For this project I really wanted to let go of control of the process and just let things run their course naturally. On our first album it was mainly just me recording songs I had already written. I did a lot of the recording and producing by myself in my living room (and I think that really shows). For this EP we started working as a band a lot more and writing songs more collectively. We knew we wanted to outsource our recording for this project and luckily while we were touring some other studios, Pat Barrett, a graduate of Studio West’s program dmed us on instagram and offered us some studio time for free. This experience definitely was extremely exciting and eye opening for us. For this singular day of studio time we recorded all the drums and vocals on the project. We finished recording the rest of the project with my friend Logan Perez who also mixed the EP. Finally our musician friend, Also Joe, suggested we reach out to Max Harwood, of Lewis Del Mar, for mastering which was an amazing opportunity. 

Is there a theme or concept behind this EP that you can share? 

Again, letting go of control and letting things fall into place was a major theme when writing and recording this album. This theme of things falling into place can be found in the songs, but was a major theme in the creation of this project. Giving up control was a challenge for me specifically, but also a huge blessing. Working together as a band from start to finish we all really fell into our roles and became more comfortable with each other as musicians. We got to work with so many awesome people throughout this process. It was amazing to make these new connections in the industry and meet these people that are extremely talented. Also, we had my best friend's sister Greta make the cover art and she did such a good job summarizing this theme into the art. 

How long have you been writing/recording this project?

Henry wrote the bass line to Molecules in Motion, the title track, over winter break last year. We started challenging ourselves as musicians and started writing more and more songs as a group. When our new drummer Shleby first joined us in the summer we all started clicking as a band. We started jamming a lot more then and organized these songs into their own project. Laying down demos started in October and then Pat asked us to record in November. 

What is it like releasing music as an independent artist? What about the process of releasing music is exciting, what is challenging?

I think just being able to create is the most exciting part for me. Especially now, with how accessible music technology is, it's amazing to be able to write, record, and release without needing anyone's permission. Looking back at that first project I can really see growth in where we've come. I think we really enjoy challenging ourselves in writing and working together as a band. I'm always surprised as to how far we've come and I'm just excited to see where we go in the future. The music landscape is constantly changing and we are at a really exciting time in the industry for new artists in the scene.

What's the plan post-release - are you going to try and tour this summer? are you planning to play more shows? Record again soon? What's next :)

We definitely have more shows lined up. Last year we got some amazing opportunities to play some classic San Diego venues including Soma Mainstage, Music Box, and Wonder Bus so bigger and better shows are always on the horizon. We have our release show on the 26th at Soda Bar and are planning more and more shows for early 2023. We’re always looking to play live! We toured a little this summer with my brothers band The Crooked Rugs out in Fort Collins and will absolutely be playing with them again, whether that be in San Diego or anywhere else. We love playing shows and the energy they bring. Definitely releasing more music soon as well; we have a single lined up soon enough and I just got approved to get school credit for making an album, so that will be done before I graduate. We also have a few songs that we've had on the backburner for quite some time that we have started experimenting with. We are planning on bringing some extra friends to come help for that one. I’m very adamant that every project should challenge us in a way and I think 2023 will be very exciting for us. 

If you could push just one song (maybe everyone gives their own answers?) from the EP, what would it be? What song do you think deserves to be heard the most?

Nick: I really genuinely love every song on this EP, but overall “Breathe In” surprised me the most in the end. This was the last song that was written and was the most collaborative overall. It was funny, when making the demo and jamming I thought it would be my least favorite on the EP. When the mixes were finished everything really came together on that song and  it really shines. Other favorites are “Motif” and “Wander” and of course the title track “Molecules in Motion” is really special.

Henry: “I may be biased but I’d want everyone to hear “Molecules in Motion.” Watching that song develop from a riff I wrote on my brother's bass, to a jam Nick and I tossed around for a few months, to a full song that everyone in the band got to put their unique artistic touch on has been really special. The song has become something so much more over the time it took to fully come together. I’m forever grateful to have such talented and thoughtful artists to work with, and I think people should hear what we’ve come up with”

Diego: Definitely the best song to listen to is Wonder, although it is a pain to play live. My favorite song to play live has to be Gut Reaction because it feels like riding a wave. Also Breathe In, I just love that synth line- its toxic. Recording the end of Gut Reaction was a lot of fun for me on synth. I got the honor to wind down the EP with a trailing synth to complement Nick’s final line: “I will never be content”.

Shelby: I want everyone to heat Gut Reaction because I think it has a great energy to it. I like that there are a few big punches at the beginning of the song and then when Nick yells “stop!”. Its so fun to play live and see people in the crowd start dancing.