California Snow Story
Can you give us a brief history of how the band started?
I was already in a band that was becoming successful but was, unfortunately, pretty frustrating and unenjoyable… so I decided to leave. I had a lot of songs already written so I advertised for musicians, asked friends of friends to help and eventually recorded an ep for Shelflife Records. I worked with a
number of different people at that time but could never get a proper functioning band together. I then ended up taking a long break from music and it wasn’t until Sandra, the new singer, got in touch with me just over a year ago that I seriously thought about releasing a new record. Anyway, I really liked her
voice and we worked together really well and the result was the Close to the Ocean album.
What are some of the influences on the band?
A lot of British indiepop/alternative music from the 80s and 90s, some American bands like Yo La Tengo, Galaxie 500 and also 60s stuff like the Zombies, girl
groups, bossa nova, French pop etc.
Tell us a bit about the recording of “Close To The Ocean?
The previous ep was recorded in a studio but looking back it wasn’t a particularly great sound. This time round I had no money and no band so I did it myself. We just recorded when we had time and when we felt like doing it, so it was a really good experience. I think the sound is pretty decent too. There
are always things you’d like to change, but in the circumstances I’m quite happy with it.
How are most of the songs written?
I write different songs in different ways. Often melodies come to me, sometimes when playing guitar, other times randomly… then I try to record them in a basic way so that I don’t forget. Sometimes the lyrics come at the same time but often I work on them later. I usually also end up kind of writing the whole
song in my head, without particularly wanting too! If the melody is good I keep thinking of it and end up imagining what the music should sound like and what the arrangement should be.
“Suddenly Everything Happens” is a very special song. Any story behind
that song?
It was a song that was easy to write, arrange and record. It just happened naturally (suddenly?) and everything fitted into place without trying too hard. When it came to doing Sandra’s vocals it was also really easy and she sang it perfectly. Not really a story though is it? …there is a sad story about the
organ used I suppose. It was a massive old wooden Farfisa double organ which I had no room for anymore and couldn’t find a new home for. So after the recording it had to be put out of its misery. But it’s nice to know its sound lives on!
What are your favorite songs on the album, then?
Suddenly Everything Happens, A New Light to Guide You and Once an Ocean.
Any other bands out there the people should be listening to?
The Sunny Street
What hopes or goals do you have for the band in the long run?
Not sure. In the short term though we’d like to put out another ep.
By John Siwicki
