BPM Pod
2020-02
Episodes
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Interview: Tidal Wave
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Friday Feb 14, 2020
The problem with Limp Bizkit is that they're misunderstood. Are they cool? No. Do they make good music? Meh, not really. Are they relevant? Good lord no.
But are they fun? Yes.
See I've always seen Limp Bizkit as a weird 90s/00s remnant of angry white-guy rap-rock. I'm not necessarily advocating a comeback of the genre, themes, or style, but I have always had a soft spot for their music somehow. I was pretty unsure as to why, until I met Dean Schweitzer of Tidal Wave.
"It's because it's fun. It's just '1, 2, 3, 4' and now we're going to jump, or shout, or whatever the fuck we want to do," says Dean.
"I like that fun element. It's not clever or cool. It's just fun."
I think Dean is right, and the fun element is certainly something he too puts into his music. Alongside an absolute bucket load of heart, soul, and ragged rock riffs, of course.
Check out the new song for proof (if you needed any).
Fight Song by TIDALWAVE
From reliving the nineties to musing on today's scene
Tidal Wave - fronted and run by Dean - is primarily a studio project. Different musicians form, and have formed, the band in every country Dean has lived.
It brings new flavours to old material, and it is a fun way to prevent the complications of committing to a permanent band, but when the only constant is one member and their vision, it takes a lot of drive and mental strength to keep reinventing again and again.
And that's a lot of what we talk about in this episode: maintaining a healthy mind, heart, and soul. What do you do when the music just isn't coming? How do you stay motivated and focused to keep pushing? And when do you give yourself a break for the success you've achieved?
In this podcast, you'll hear all of these topics, and more (Limp Bizkit included). You'll come away feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and with a new found understanding of how hard it is to keep chasing something you love.
Speaking with Dean was an absolute pleasure. Tidal Wave is a superb project, with some cracking tunes out there. Thanks to Dean for taking the time to talk, and for being such a welcoming, open host.
For more information on Tidal Wave, go to Bandcamp, or their website .
Wednesday Feb 05, 2020
Interview: Forest Island + Warren Zevon top 10
Wednesday Feb 05, 2020
Wednesday Feb 05, 2020
'So how do you best describe your music?' That's a pretty tough question for any musical artist but, for Forest Island, it gets pretty complicated. They combine effects, guitar, cello, and vocals into a sublime, swirling ambient mix.
But how did it get to this point, what are the inspirations, and what are the hopes for the future? Find out in this short and sweet podcast, capturing all of this and more.
Also in the episode: Warren Zevon top 10 songs
It would have been Warren Zevon's 73rd birthday in January 2020 - not a particularly significant one for most people. For me though, Warren Zevon is one of the absolute greatest singer-songwriters of all time.
Sure, he was a pretty damn horrible guy, with a terrible temper, and a string of violent misdemeanors to his name. They cannot, and should not, be downplayed. Read I'll Sleep When I'm Dead for an in-depth look at the dirty times.
Zevon though was responsible for an enviable body of work, part nonsense, part fun, part sardonic, and part sensitive like nothing else before it.
So to mark the belated birthday of Warren Zevon, I put together my personal top 10 list of Warren Zevon songs.
Whether you're a seasoned Zevon fan, or an absolute newbie, give it a listen and I am sure you'll learn something.
It was pretty damn tough to narrow down the list, but here are some honourable mentions:
Don't Let Us Get Sick
Gridlock
Reconsider Me
The French Inhaler
Splendid Isolation
Dirty Life and Times
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Detox Mansion
Accidentally Like a Martyr
Frank and Jesse James
Disorder in the House
Werewolves of London
Hasten Down the Wind
On the next episode
Next time, we look at nu-metal, heavy rock band Tidal Wave. Stay tuned for that, and check out Tidal Wave already here on their website.