EMQ’s With Captain of the Lost Waves
EMQ’s With Captain of the Lost Waves
Hi Everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK Alt solo project, Captain of the Lost Wave. Huge thanks to multi-instrumentalist, and project founder, Shaun T Hunter, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Captain of the lost waves : I play bouzouki, mandolin, guitar and ukulele alongside fronting the entire venture with my voice. After a major life changing episode in recovery from glandular fever, I created COTLW: A troubadour, storyteller and free thinking renegade. My musical offerings are inspired by the great songwriters and philosophers of yesteryear. This is visceral music for the mind and body, full of dreamy verses, life affirming choruses and sheer audacity. Where melodic invention meets alternative folk, progressive, world and ambient sounds.
“Previously signed to Voiceprint under his natural guise Shaun T Hunter and Quiet Rebellion he released three critically acclaimed albums, two of which were Borders Book Store’s album of the month. Off the back of this he carried out a residency at the famous 12 Bar Club, London. He was also voted Acoustic Roots performer of the year at the Leeds Independent Music Awards in 2005. He was also voted outstanding songwriter of the year from the Yorkshire Gig Guide Awards 2017.
Making music is a communion to the Captain and much of his work has taken place in a music therapy guise. Playing in secure units, prisons, mental health units and hospitals. The connection is always about the most authentic exchanges between an artist and his audience, based on a shared humanity.”
How did you come up with your band name?
It was a nod to all of the many wonders, that either by design, or evolution, people don’t see anymore. As a culture, it’s so fast paced and a busying of the senses; due to that, so much is overlooked, unacknowledged, ignored … The lost waves are a testament to such things I wanted to highlight, bring to life and breathe new energy into. I did so and continue to collate under the captain’s tutelage.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Originally from Helensburgh, Scotland, mixed heritage … Until I was brought to live with maternal grandparents at 6 old in the wild Wild West of Yorkshire.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
“Beautiful Ugly” brand new album just released.
Who have been your greatest influences?
The great songwriters of yesteryear/ Classical writers and the world of synth/ keyboard innovators such as Vangelis and Jean Jean-Michel Jarre.
What first got you into music?
Listening to Cat Stevens’ ‘Tea for the Tillermen’ via my uncle at five years old, though I’d already started mimicking and impersonating other singers since the age of three. I did it instinctively so no encouragement was required.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Ane Bührn/ Fleet Fixes/ Peter Gabriel / Radiohead… any would be a sheer joy.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I’m all about surprises; I tend not to linger on premeditated projections as it often leads to pointless ‘what ifs / and / or vague ruminating … So if there’s something that’s going to happen, I’ll just let it happen, getting myself out of the way. Anything connected and full of spirit is my ideal… I care little about the size or attendance, only that those who do are of the aforementioned attributes.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A stuffed giraffe’s head accompanied by a pair of painted electric blue stiletto heels and a very revealing poem.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Don’t be led by others, follow yourself. I hope I can be of help in instigating such a state, the rest is up to you.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
John Lennon
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Love the mystery and magic of the perplexing nature of the creative process. I dislike the tropes of passive-aggressive behaviour that’s often in abundance, alongside the insane pitching bands against each other. Fun when you’re a kid, maybe for a fleeting moment or two, but boring and predictable as you mature or actually realise that music is an art form and not a competition.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
EVERYTHING!
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
The Zombies “Odessey and Oracle”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl … The handling, the crackles, the delicate placing on a turntable, the almost religious fervour at which you embrace the gatefold sleeves with your eyes… oh mmmm
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Oh too many… I could give you a composite maybe?
If I had to name one it would be an old war bunker in Bradford that goes by the name of Sunbridge Wells. Haunting and crammed with fans singing every word louder than I could. Very much the evidence of the Blitz spirit as a gorgeous cacophony, it immersed me in hypnotic splendour.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Drifting full time and visiting sun-drenched sea towns, walking barefoot, wherever possible.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Carl Jung, Paramahansa Yogananda, John Lennon, and I’ll add Jesus and the Buddha to the second half proceedings, as once the talks have been expanded with the first three to and fro, then the latter will clear up all confusion, debate, and disagreement.
What’s next for the band?
I work primarily solo, though often accompanied by my violinist, Wendy Ross.
Some bespoke and intimate shows in haunting and unusual spaces are being further planned… All off the back of the brand new album “Beautiful Ugly” just being released.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
http://captainofthelostwaves.com/
facebook.com/captainofthelostwaves
Instagram.com/captainofthelostwaves
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I’ll say cake, but I’m open to persuasion!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
There’s enough mental noise in the world that’s being added, much of it irrelevant and not of importance, so I’ll do my bit and say nothing more.
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