Cloudshapes is an unusual musical duo making wonderful rock songs with an experimental bent, as can be heard in their latest release, Newborn. I really enjoyed the track and wanted to find out more, hence this interview. If you like what you read, you really ought to check their music out!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a single titled Newborn, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the single?
Musically it is heavily inspired by progressive rock (lots of Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree), in combination with electronic artists, like Jon Hopkins, Rival Consoles and Max Cooper.
The song is actually a love song about loving someone and the dreams and aspirations you have for the child you would like to have together with them. The initial guitar part came to Rien whilst he was thinking about a ferry ride home to Belgium. Before him and his wife Jess knew they were pregnant, he was sitting on the front of the boat looking at the sea, reflecting on the peace he felt when together with her and in their independence. Jim saw this as a sign of strong love, a love that felt like home. So, the lyrics are inspired by this, and the news of Rien’s new daughter, framed by Jim’s love for his wife and kids and experiences of their births.
How has the reception been for the single, and where can it be purchased?
The reception has been incredible, really! We had lots of great feedback from listeners, we’ve had a few radio plays and our music has reached much further than we could have hoped for. It is available on all your favourite musical streaming platforms, so search for Cloudshapes and give us a follow please. If you prefer to have a digital copy, you can download the single from our Bandcamp page too.
How is the writing and recording process for you? Is it difficult being a duo?
The hardest part is finding the time to finish our songs, as we write and record remotely and send new versions across to each other. Rien’s eclectic taste and desire to experiment with sounds continue to inspire Jim’s lyrical brain. And because of our fairly different musical tastes, every iteration surprises the other, as the track has been taken in a completely new direction!
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
We have quite a few more tracks in the pipeline, which we are very excited about! When exactly they will see the light of day, nobody knows, but when they do, we are pretty sure you will like them (at least we are enjoying them a lot already!)
Your music is hard to categorise as it’s very eclectic! What/who influences you most as artists? What have you been listening to recently?
Rien has inherited a great record collection from his dad, which includes a whole range of 70s-80s rock, and he listens to a lot of instrumental electronic or (neo)classical music. Currently he has both Hania Rani’s latest and Skrillex’s double album on repeat.
Jim listens to anything rock, with a strong focus on vocal melodies, harmonies and lyricism.
If it wasn’t for the fact that we got to know each other playing frisbee first, we would probably not have met at a concert.
You’re based in Milton Keynes. What is the local music scene like?
One of us is actually based in MK, the other is in Cambridgeshire.
Despite all the challenges of the last few years, the UK still is a great place for live music, and you can find gigs everywhere. Special shout out to the Craufurd Arms and Unit Nine in MK!
Any last words for the fans?
Thank you all for listening and for your kind words! Keep supporting independent artists and live music venues.