This unsigned spotlight highlights Shadow of Whales, fellas from Austin, TX that we currently have featured on our NRG Spotify playlist which can be found below the interview. Check out what Shadow of Whales had to share with us!
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Joshua Flores – Lead Singer
Chris Fraga – Lead Guitar
Jeremy Boyum – Bass
JD Vazquez – Keys/Synth
Caleb Flores - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Shadow of Whales? How long has the band been around?
Josh & Caleb used to be in a band called Invisible Target.
Jeremy was in a band from Hutto called iTEM84
Chris was in a group called The Brother Moon.
Shadow of Whales formed in 2014.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
JD: Good question. A long time ago, I had a dream that I was walking through the city and suddenly a bunch of whales started swimming through the sky above me. One of them blotted out the sun and cast me in its shadow. It was the most humbling feeling to be in the presence of such an enormous and powerful, yet benevolent creature. It was so powerful that I was still feeling its affects when I woke up. So, I wrote a poem about it and our name comes from a line in that poem.
The band has not changed its name since its formation, however there were a lot of names that were considered. ‘Oh, Trolley!’, ‘The Winters’ and ‘Horizon Headlights’ were all considered before we landed on Shadow of Whales.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
We write all of our songs collaboratively. The main theme of our music is one of inspiration. We are constantly pushing a message of love and encouragement out to our fans to hopefully inspire them to pursue their dreams as we are ours or at the very least provide them a metaphorical shoulder to cry on when things are really hard.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
The Killers and Switchfoot are mainstays of inspiration for us. Knox Hamilton and Bad Suns have been in our ears a lot lately.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Jeremy: I don’t know that it was necessarily a band that inspired me to create music as much as it was music itself. I grew up in a non-musical family but a family that valued music in listening. When I came in contact with an instrument it just clicked. I liken it to that moment in the movie “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone” when Daniel Radcliffe walks into Ollivanders shop and is handed a wand of Holly and Phoenix when suddenly a glow shines on his face and a whirlwind ensues around him. That’s what happened when I picked up a guitar.
What do you do to prepare for a show?
We usually try to make sure we stretch before going on stage and drink lots of water haha. Other than that, we always make sure to take a moment to pray, thank god for where we are, what we have and ask that we’d be able to connect with our fans in the most raw and honest way while on stage. The most important thing for us aside from being musically precise on stage is making sure that the people in the audience have a great time, feel included and more importantly loved.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
That’s hard to nail down. Honestly, Warped Tour & South By So What would definitely have to be near the top, but getting the news that our music is going to be streamed inside Starbucks and Hollister stores were big moments for us as well.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Playing a show with The Killers, Switchfoot or Panic! At the Disco would be absolutely amazing. Naturally because they are inspirations for a lot of our songs.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
To our fans, thank you so freaking much! We would not be where we are without you and are eternally grateful! We love you all and hope you’re having a fantastic day!