Started by Alex Brown Church as a side project for songs that didn't fit the sound of his other band, Irving, Sea Wolf has since grown into a much bigger animal. Using a rotating pool of backing musicians, he performs songs that mix fragility with a self-assured swagger. The debut album, 'Leaves In The Wolf', was released in the UK in July, with the next single, 'Winter Windows' out in October via Dangerbird Records.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
I took violin lessons as a kid, but was learning classical and I wanted to learn bluegrass. So, I quit. In high school I got the courage to pick up an instrument again. I started out with bass, and then guitar and writing songs.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
I made this record in a transitional time in my life. I was interested in the paths we are led down, and the forks in the road we come across. Also my roots, and coming to terms with them. I was kind of reaching way back into my childhood, my roots, and trying to reconcile that with my present and my possible future.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I start by writing the song, usually on a guitar. I'll figure out the structure and write down any ideas I may have for instrumentation. Then I'll either get together with a drummer and hash out the drum parts with them, or I'll just record the acoustic guitar and a scratch vocal and figure out the drums afterwards. Then I'll layer on all of the other parts, either myself, or with friends.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
It's hard to say these days since I try and not listen to music while I write. Pretty much everything I listen to will have some effect, or spark an idea. But the stuff I listen to tends to be rock and folk (and a little country) from the 60s and 70s, and indie-rock from the past fifteen years or so. I enjoy 80s music, and there are a few bands that stand out for me in that decade, but I don't have much of it in my record collection.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
I wouldn't know what to say. I'd probably get all embarrassed and leave the room, or pretend to be busy writing down a grocery list or something.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single/album, and for the future?
I just want it to get out there and for people to hear it. And for some of those people to continue to want to hear it.
MORE>> www.seawolfmusic.com and www.myspace.com/seawolf