Made In Waves (the band formerly known as Ghost In The Machine) is in the process of recording their new EP so we caught up to them to see what 2014 holds for the band in their first interview under the band’s new name.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to The Rockpit. For those who aren’t familiar with the band can you recap how it all started and how you got to where you are today?
MADE IN WAVES: The band started back in 2007 with the original lineup of Dan Schram, Bryan Kay, Billy Dearing, TJ White and Jeff Blumer. The members have since changed with the exception of Dan and Bryan (both guitars). With the addition of Chris Loeffler on drums, Jonathan Hagood on bass and Evan Thomas on vocals the band evolved into what it is today. The current lineup has been playing together since 2011. We released the debut EP Earth Island in 2012. Actually, we are currently in the mixing stages of a new EP, as yet untitled.
THE ROCKPIT: How would you describe your sound? People are throwing around things like ‘Alt Metal’ and ‘New School Metal’ – how do you view yourselves?
MADE IN WAVES: You could describe the sound as tech-alternative. Did I just make that up? The music has a technical edge rhythmically coupled by accessible melodies. We love to challenge each others’ comfort zones, so the music changes with each song we write. I would add we avoid labels as much as possible.
THE ROCKPIT: Is there a story behind Ghost In The Machine, and why you changed the name to Made in Waves?
MADE IN WAVES: We thought it was a cool name too, but we’ve discovered since that its not the only one out there, so we are actually changing the name. This might be the first time we’ve announced it, but Ghost in the Machine will continue under the name “Made In Waves”.
THE ROCKPIT: You’ve already opened for a number of big name bands in the US, how have they treated you and what have you learnt from them on the road?
MADE IN WAVES: We have had the opportunity to play with the Deftones, Incubus, Chevelle, Young Guns, 10 Years, and many more. We have been treated amazingly by everyone we have had the good fortune to play with. Great musicians are often just everyday types. You know how they say you never want to meet your inspirations? Well they have all proven the old adage wrong.
THE ROCKPIT: What dates do you have coming up and where is the best place for people to catch up with the band?
MADE IN WAVES: Dates can easily be found on our Facebook page. Lately, a lot of our focus has been on the new EP. Spring is always a busy time for us and we want to make this release bigger and better than ever, so if you want to know what is going on, our Facebook page has it all.
THE ROCKPIT: What can we expect from a Made In Waves show?
MADE IN WAVES: Energy energy energy! There is nothing more disappointing than a band that records in the studio well, but falls flat when you see the show. I think we deliver best in that department.
THE ROCKPIT: You’ve recently completed your new EP – A follow up to this year’s Earth Island EP what can we expect from it?
MADE IN WAVES: We are constantly trying to out-do ourselves. We decided coming into this new EP we would not release anything that was not superior to our last contribution. But even we were amazed by the new production. There are new elements we experimented with on this and I think we held true to our early mission.
THE ROCKPIT: Can you highlight any tracks we should listen out for and when will it be released?
MADE IN WAVES: We want all the tracks to be the star and stand alone on their merits, but definitely Salvation and the working title Mr. Hagood’s Opus are two of my favorites. We don’t have a firm date for release right now because of the issues that accompany a change in the band name. We want to lay as much of a foundation for the new name as possible for the transition. That being said, probably around late February or March 2014.
THE ROCKPIT: How did it all come together? Are you a band that constantly writes or do you take time out specifically?
MADE IN WAVES: Sometimes a member will bring something new to a practice and we will flesh it out that way, but we like to focus on the new stuff in blocks. We don’t like to have loose ends. If we are working on something new, we want to pound it out. Our writing is very collaborative and everyone puts a piece of themselves on each track. This recipe has worked for us so far.
THE ROCKPIT: Where do you draw inspiration for your songs?
MADE IN WAVES: Anywhere and everywhere! Accessibility is important and I try not to be too broody or generic. Although I have been accused of it! I want to write the way I would like to hear it if I were an observer.
THE ROCKPIT: What do you hope the new EP will lead to for the band?
MADE IN WAVES: Well, everyone wants to be liked. I want this EP to legitimize the work we’re putting into it. We all work very hard. But the idea that the end-game for all of this is anything other than our passion for music would be a misrepresentation. We love what we do, and if success follows, then that’s a beautiful thing.
THE ROCKPIT: What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
MADE IN WAVES: Life is the challenge. None of us are in high school anymore. Some of us have families and we all have jobs unrelated to the music. I would say that the biggest challenge would be our proximity to each other. I’m the only member who lives in St. Louis and everyone else hails from the Jefferson City/Columbia, Missouri area. Traveling 6 hours round trip once a week is a huge challenge. But I wouldn’t do it if I thought it wasn’t working! Our favorite moments would have to be playing music with immensely talented bands and the fans…. Oh, the fans!!
THE ROCKPIT: What does 2014 hold for the band?
MADE IN WAVES: We want to give ourselves the opportunity to stretch our legs. Go places we’ve never been.
THE ROCKPIT: With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock music?
MADE IN WAVES: Embrace it. Don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never done before. Music has gotten a lot more electronic nowadays, and that’s the landscape. Instead of raging against the new and isolating yourself from it, make it work for you.
THE ROCKPIT: Thinking back to your early memories of music, what was it that first made you
decide you needed to be in a Rock and Roll band?
MADE IN WAVES: I guess it was seeing the bands that I saw when I was younger. The moment I saw the “Man in the Box” video I was ruined! But I would say when I was growing up, we had a band in my hometown of Jackson, Tennessee calle the Voodoo Hippies. My older brother, David, played keyboards for them. They were the best show around and when I was about 14 or 15 I saw these guys play all the time. They went on to become the band Full Devil Jacket and played Woodstock 99 and toured with some of the biggest bands in the country. Josh Brown and I are still good friends. Watching the success of some of my friends made me to want to do this even more! I actually had the opportunity to do some vocal work on the new Full Devil Jacket album recently.
THE ROCKPIT: From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
MADE IN WAVES: Don’t stop working on it. So much of this is persistence. Any band that has been on the road and played in front of 20 people on a Tuesday night will tell you that it’s not easy. But diligence is valuable.
THE ROCKPIT: A bit of fantasy now – you’re co-headlining with two other bands on the bill (living or dead) who would they be and why?
MADE IN WAVES: Michael Jackson and Elvis. Obviously! These were two of the most influential performers of all time in these genres. I would be unworthy of such an experience. These are people who, quite literally, made people faint and have to be carted out of the places they spent their money to get into! Very much like a Pentecostal church..
THE ROCKPIT: Can music change the world?
MADE IN WAVES: No, but people can… and people play music. The power of music comes from its universality. It’s understood by everyone and they can share this with everyone.
THE ROCKPIT: If you could have been a ‘Fly on the wall’ for the creation of any great album from
any period, just to see how the magic happened and it all came together, what would it
have been for you and why?
MADE IN WAVES: That’s tough. Geez.. I’d say “Dare To Be Stupid” by Weird Al. Never a dull moment I would imagine. “Like a Surgeon” and “Girls Just Want to Have Lunch”? Who does that?!
But, in 1985 I was 6 years old and probably would’ve had the time of my life!! My brother, David, actually got to see him perform a few years ago and says that he is still as amazing as ever. And That movie “UHF” is one of my all-time favorites.
THE ROCKPIT: What is the meaning of life?
MADE IN WAVES: Find your happy place and visit it as often as possible.
