Few artists manage to balance introspective lyricism with the breezy feel of indie music quite like BEACHPEOPLE. With a sound that layers warmth and melancholy, BEACHPEOPLE crafts songs that invite listeners to sink into the melodies before unraveling the depth beneath them. Rooted in early influences like The Strokes and Bon Iver, his journey has been one of artistic evolution, moving through different genres, experimenting with new sounds, and exploring the interplay of light and darkness in music. In this conversation, BEACHPEOPLE opens up about his creative process, his latest album has-been, and what the future holds for his ever-evolving sound.
Listen to his latest album has-been, while reading this exclusive interview:
Can you tell us about your musical journey and how you first got into creating music?
I first got into creating music after I heard The Strokes when I was about 11. Back then, I didn’t really know what you called the kind of music they were making or why it made me feel the way that it did, but I knew I wanted to be like them and that I want to play in a band as well. I started my first band as a bass player around 2 years later and since then I have played in many different formations as a bass player, guitar player, piano player and singer.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?
I think that my music has different layers. If you listen to it on a surface level, especially the earlier stuff has a lot of feelgood- and bedroom-emelents in it. Indie is the genre most often mentioned to me. On a deeper level, I think that my lyrics can become quite dark and personal, because I often try to write out of a dark perspective and try to find the light in it. The light is what you will hear first very often, but it gets darker the more you get involved with it.
What are some of your earliest musical influences, and how do they still resonate with your music today?
Some of my earliest influences are, as mentioned, The Strokes, Wintersleep, Bon Iver, Arctic Monkeys, and stuff in that vein. It was very influential on the music I did back then. Today I would say that you can still hear it sometimes, but that I mostly evolved from and grew out of it.
Are there any genres that you haven’t yet explored but would love to incorporate into your future work?
It may sound kind of cheesy, but I listen to a lot of Country music at the moment. I can see myself writing something that is influenced by that genre, because I think it would be a nice challenge to manage to make it sound earnest.
Can you walk us through your typical creative process when writing or recording a new track? Where do you usually start?
I usually start with either the piano or the guitar. I write the whole song in that minimal setting and try to decide on core elements such as melody, the different parts and the direction of the lyrics. When that process is finished, I start to move to the studio, where I lay down whatever I think the song needs, be it drums or bass or harmonies or whatever. I work until I either feel happy about it or until I realize that I’m gonna work on it sometime else.
What has been your most memorable performance so far?
I think my first concert in Cologne will always have a special place in my heart. I was so nervous and it felt like it was an important moment in my musical career. Before that evening I didn’t even know whether or not these songs would work live and performed with a band. So many people showed up that a third of them already maxed out the venue. There was a very special energy in the air.
How do you approach working with other artists or producers, especially when their style might differ from yours?
To be honest, most of the time I just approach working with other people on a very interpersonal level. If there is a vibe and we like each other, we will get something done. I try to avoid high-pressure situations, because some things you shouldn’t rush. It’s okay, if it sometimes doesn’t work out as well, that’s part of it, too.
What is a project or milestone you’re most proud of?
Definitely my recent album has-been. Artistically, it is the best thing I’ve ever done.
If you could collaborate with, or perform alongside any artist, who would it be? And why?
At the moment, I would love to work with Saya Gray. Mainly because I would love to witness her approach to creating all the different aspects of her art and see how she makes certain decisions.
How do you see your sound evolving over the next few years? Are there any new directions or experiments you’re excited to explore?
At the moment, I feel like I want to try to write more uplifting songs in the future. I don’t know if that’s just a counterreaction to working on the album for the last 2 years, but being on tour right now, I realize how exhausting it is to go into these difficult topics every night. Maybe I also want to try a more simplistic, reduced approach with fewer instruments.
If you could tour with any band or artist (past or present), who would it be and why?
I would have loved to be on a tour with Nirvana in the 90s, just to see how their live-energy and their concerts in general felt back then.
How do you handle creative blocks, and what methods do you use to push through them?
I try to write whether I am creative or not. That always keeps the machine running and I never fully fall out of it. If I realize that I am truly hitting a block, I try to do something else. Go for a walk, take a little trip, meet up with a friend.
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