Interview: Waves With Yacht Rock Revue
Photo by Perry Julien
Interview by Lindsey V. Britt
From classic yacht rock covers to groovy originals, Yacht Rock Revue is rockin’ out all summer long touring with Train and REO Speedwagon on the Summer Road Trip tour. The band is releasing their new double LP Escape Artist in November to take you through a melodic voyage. We got to speak with front-man Nicholas Niespodziani about the journey.
You have a new song coming out called “Waves” — what can you tell us about the song?
Waves can be a metaphor for so much of the human experience. Light, sound, emotions, luck, weather... all come in waves. We wanted to recreate those vibes through the music with the guitars and synthesizers and echo machines. The pulse of time underneath these waves that never wavers, reflected in the more soul-influenced drum and bass backbeat. Also, waves are an overly literal nautical subject. That works for us, I know from experience.
In November you’re releasing a double album called Escape Artist, what has it been like creating it?
Recording Escape Artist was a very liberating experience. We had no limits on studio time, we had bartered producing a record for our friend John Hopkins to use his studio. Our recording engineer Thomas Kidd brought the perfect balance of technical knowledge and bedside manner, so we felt free and confident producing it ourselves. We had also just made it out of the pandemic - a difficult time for people who make a day to day living in entertainment - and freed ourselves from several challenging personal and professional situations that really opened up our world. So, this album was our escape.
What led you to decide to release a double album?
No one expects a band like ours to make records anyway, so why not just do whatever we want?
Photo by Mitchell Davidson
What got you into making Yacht Rock music versus other genres?
It was by accident, honestly. We didn’t set out to make a career of this - one show turned into 17 years and counting.
How did the ten of you all meet?
Peter and I met in fourth grade in Columbus, IN. Our indie rock band moved to Atlanta, didn’t quite make it and along the way we made lots of friends in the Atlanta scene. The first yacht rock show required the best of the best, so we pulled them in and here we are.
Most bands nowadays only have five members max and yours has ten, how do you think having more members helps bring the music to life, and should more bands have more members?
It has its obvious challenges. But there’s nothing like having an amazing musical connection with someone - that chemistry is the closest thing I’ve felt to magic in this world. And when you add a third, the sum is greater than the whole of the parts. Our entire band has that kind of connection, and I think that is part of what really connects with our audience. There’s a limit to that, but we haven’t reached it yet.
Currently, you’re on tour with Train and REO Speedwagon, what has it been like touring with them?
We’ve learned an incredible amount. Both bands and their crews have been generous and kind, it’s made it easy and fun. I’ve heard about tours with drama and rivalries and egos and breakdowns, but this is the opposite. I feel very lucky.
What was it like filming your PBS concert special at Pier 17?
I dug the pressure. It’s like a championship game, you only get one shot and no do-overs. 12 cameras later, I’m really proud of how we stepped up in the moment.
Photo by Emily Butler
I saw you perform last summer at Kenny Loggins' This Is It tour, and this guy a couple of rows ahead of me was wearing a Hawaiian shirt with your faces on it, I’ve been wondering ever since if it was official merch or fan-made?
HA fan-made. We’ve had some great fan merch through the years, but that one probably takes the cake.
Is there a venue you still want to perform at one day?
Madison Square Garden.
Since the band is called Yacht Rock Revue, if the band owned a yacht what would it be called?
We get fined for bad puns in our band, so I will have to plead the fifth on this question. Because all yacht names are required to be cringy puns.
If This Yacht’s A Rockin’
Don’t Come A Knockin’
Final question, do you have a recommendation? This can be anything from a favorite restaurant, place to visit, movie to watch, anything you want.
I recommend CANN Cannabis drinks without reservation. They’re effervescent and tasty and refreshing, and the moderate dosage is perfect for potheads and newbies alike. I drink less alcohol but I’m still partying. I like to party. We stock our tour bus with them.
Make sure to check out “Waves” out now, and Escape Artist out on November 29th, along with the rest of their discography.
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