Part 2
Paul Simon said “the way that I listen to my own records is not for the chords or the lyrics - my first impression is of the overall sound.” What's your own take on that and how would you define your personal sound?
Candace: I definitely look to feel a thing, be dropped into a place or moment when listening to our records. I hope the things we’re painting is visible to everyone … it feels so crystal clear to me.
I think our sounds is hard to pin down, but I can say we are students of many genres - and complex harmony. I think we pay our respects to both those things no matter what world of sound we play in.
Brittany: I agree, in a sense … I always ask myself if the sound transports me to a time and place? It could be imaginary, a memory from the past, or a vision of the future, but I believe that's key.
My personal sound is a blend of the nostalgic and the new. It’s the fractals of all the things I’ve ever loved to hear dancing around each other. Rnb, soul, funk, folk, indie, pop …
Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds? In how far would you describe them as “musical”?
Candace: The sound that immediately comes to mind is the kitchen on thanksgiving morning. Aluminum pans, beeping alarms, running water, bubbling pots, spices shaking … an orchestral masterpiece. They come together and garner the most warm, safe, golden energy for me. A promise whispered in the shuffle. I love it.
Brittany: Mine are cliché as hell but you know ... Rain. I've been inspired to write so many songs simply because it was raining outside. I think every time, the aim has been to capture the emotional impact of the sound …. but you can never truly encapsulate it because, in the moment, rain always makes me feel different … lonely … sad … peaceful … cozy ... The sound of a car passing in the street also does it for me, once again, because it can evoke so much.
From very deep/high/loud/quiet sounds to very long/short/simple/complex compositions - are there extremes in music you feel drawn to and what response do they elicit?
Candace: Great musical contrasts are like candy to me. Whenever there is a second of a song, where suddenly the music is ripped from under it, or a musical pause mid song, demanding attention and a lean in … I’m blown away.
Could you describe your creative process on the basis of one of your pieces, live performances or albums that's particularly dear to you, please?
Candace & Brittany: The songwriting and music creation process for us can go many ways, but there is definitely a formula that we fell into for most of the tracks on this project.
It often begins with Brittany, who takes the lead as a co-producer alongside Sam Hoffman. One or both of us will dream up a melody or musical idea, which Brittany then takes and crafts into the initial framework of the song. A rough demo, with mumbled melodies and lyrics is then lived with separately between the two of for a while.
During this individual reflection, we write our own verses, hook ideas, lyrics, etc. adding our own unique perspectives. Once we’ve explored the music on our own, we come together to bring our ideas into harmony.
After shaping a solid demo, we then take it to our collaborator, Sam Hoffman, to flesh out the production. Sam's influence takes the songs to new heights, often transforming them in unexpected and exciting ways. He brings his expertise and willingness to experiment, taking the tracks in directions that we had not even imagined.
Both of us have strong backgrounds in music, having met during our time in Hamilton, and Britt with a bountiful music catalogue of her own. For us, our partnership allows us to draw upon our experiences, emotions, and musical influences to create something truly unique.
Do you conduct “experiments” or make use of scientific insights when you're making music?
Brittany: I usually work by creating a lot of chaos and then pairing down into something that is clear … throwing a bunch of paint on the walls … praying that it’ll open up some unexpected neural pathway lol. The most experimental I’ve gotten in terms of process would be shrooming and waiting for a literal download from aliens … or angels … (same thing?)
How does the way you make music reflect the way you live your life? Can we learn lessons about life by understanding music on a deeper level?
Candace: I just always try to be as open as possible, both in creating and living. I move with the knowledge that my sensitivity, though it must be monitored, is a gift. The more I open, the more room I have to receive.
In both music and life I try to consider the advice and opinion of those with more experience, but also hold firm on what I think is right in my gut. I think life and music (and creating in general) are all connected in ways we can’t even fathom.
Brittany: Damn I’m about to be Jamaican as f**k but everything is everything. Any art is a mirror and so, of course, so much can be learned by listening to it … by making it. There are also just so many ways that people understand music. Working in different collaborative settings, you begin to understand that some people’s grasp on music is more emotional, spiritual, scientific, formulaic, conceptual, social … etc etc ...
The short answer is yes lol.
Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?
Candace: The effort that goes into writing and performing is greater in my opinion. And trust me, I love a good cup of coffee. No matter how natural it may come to someone, time is effort, and effort is life force.
I think a greater comparison would be a performer and a chef. The time and effort evens out far more there. I think you can tell an emotional story through many modes of creation. Art is broad and beautiful that way.
Brittany: Yeah, I believe that writing and performing are intensely physical, at least for me. Words and vibrations move through you, with the mind, body, and soul all collaborating to create a singular moment. The goal is always to be at the very heart of the music.
Sharing music through performance is fundamentally ancestral for all of humanity. And while some may tap tap in when making a cup of coffee, music demands immersion and presence.
Every time I listen to "Albedo 0.39" by Vangelis, I choke up. But the lyrics are made up of nothing but numbers and values. Do you, too, have a song or piece of music that affects you in a way that you can't explain?
Candace: Honestly … the Harry Potter theme almost brings me to tears every time I hear it. Something about the sweeping feel of it.
Brittany: Erik Satie “Gymnopédie No. 1.” I’ve never known why … I just remember the first time it was played in my ballet class. I felt it in my stomach. The melody is so intentional and contemplative—it reminds me of a eulogy.
If you could make a wish for the future – what are developments in music you would like to see and hear?
Candace & Brittany: an unraveling of boxes. Freedom in sound. Prioritizing individuality and intention over “trends.”
