It’s always fantastic to discover a new artist, especially when they’re as talented as Ugly Sundae. I had the opportunity to review his debut release Dance With Me, finding myself amazed at how good it was! The future certainly looks bright for Ugly Sundae – find out yourselves by listening to the track at the end of this interview!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released your debut single, Dance With Me. What can you tell us about the track?
Dance With Me follows the story of two people who are separated by death, and how the main protagonist wishes they could’ve saved the only thing they cared about. This track was a pervious release from a long time ago, however I felt that it had a lot more potential and could be reworked. Through exploring a completely new sound, I started the track from the ground up. In the end this new version of Dance With Me was created and what was once a more upbeat track became more
of a dark and melancholic soundscape.
How has the reception to Dance With Me been so far, and where can it be purchased?
The reception to Dance With Me has been steadily growing, but it hasn’t reached a big breakthrough yet. It’s been encouraging to see more and more people discovering and enjoying the song, and I’m hopeful for its continued growth.
As for where you can purchase Dance With Me, it’s available on various music platforms and online stores. You can find it on popular streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and you can also purchase it on platforms like iTunes, Amazon Music or my Bandcamp page. Additionally, the song may be available on my official website or social media profiles, so be sure to check there for any updates or links to purchase or stream the song.
What was the writing and recording process like for the track?
The writing and recording process for Dance With Me was quite a journey. Initially, it started as a rough release, however, I decided to take those bare bones and work on it to create a more polished and refined version of the track. I recorded and produced the entire song in my attic studio. In this space I (roughly and not very sturdily) put together a recording room made of blankets and anything I could find around the house to soundproof it. Thankfully, this worked and nothing fell on me mid recording haha. In addition to producing the track, I also took on the role of mixing it. This is because I am wanting to further develop my mixing skills alongside my music career.
Do you have any more singles planned for release afterwards?
Yes, I do have another single in the works. It follows a similar trajectory in sound and genre as Dance With Me, but with a higher production quality. I’m even considering collaborating with some session musicians to add more depth to the track. I’m really excited about it, and I hope to release it in the near future. Stay tuned for updates!
Are there any plans to release an album or EP in the near future?
At the moment, I don’t have any plans to release an album or EP. My focus is primarily on releasing singles and working on smaller projects. However, the future is uncertain, so who knows what might come next?
Why did you decide to release music under the Ugly Sundae moniker, instead of your own name? Where does the name come from?
I chose to release music under the Ugly Sundae moniker instead of my own name because I liked the concept of having a pseudonym that allowed me to create without it being directly linked to me as a person. The name Ugly Sundae actually came about during a brainstorming session with a friend a couple of years ago. We started with Ugly Monday, but it didn’t quite have the right ring to it. Then, I suggested Ugly Sunday, and it immediately clicked in my mind. Over time, I made a small adjustment to Ugly Sundae to make it even more intriguing and unique.
Dance With Me is a really unique sounding track. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
Thank you for your kind words about Dance With Me. As an artist, my main influences come from a mix of different sources. Echo and the Bunnymen, She Wants Revenge, The Cure, Jeff Buckley and My Chemical Romance have had a significant impact on my sound and style so far.
Lately, I’ve been listening to heavier music, like Korn and The Plot In You, which has been an interesting shift for me. Additionally, I’ve been delving into the world of post-punk techno, with bands like Brutalismus 3000 at the forefront of my recent listening habits. It’s been cool to explore these diverse genres and see how they might influence my future work.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up in the next few months?
Over the next few months, I don’t have any specific exciting plans or releases lined up. However, I am actively working behind the scenes on new material and ideas. My focus is on the creative process, and I’m hoping to bring some exciting projects to life soon.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I currently don’t have any tour dates or gigs lined up for the UK. However, I’m looking forward to getting back into the live music scene hopefully around this time next year. I’m planning to find a live session band to accompany me on stage and bring the music to life in a live setting. It’s an exciting prospect for the future.
Any last words for the fans?
I’d like to say a big thank you to my audience. Please keep streaming Dance With Me and stay tuned for new releases on the horizon. In the meantime, you can catch me as the host on the radio show The Soundcheck on Decadence Radio Brighton. Stay connected, and I look forward to releasing new music soon!