Music Q&A with Highwind
Photo by Abby Clare
Recently, pop rock duo, Highwind, released a new single titled “Sugar”! Along with the release of the single, the band also delivered the announcement of their upcoming album, Something Right In Between, out May 6th! In this Q&A, the band talked about the album, the new single, their favorite band to see live, and more!
Congratulations on the announcement of your upcoming album, Something Right In Between! What does the album mean to you?
Dan: I have a funny sort of interpretation, but Something Right in Between simply put, is a passing point – a stop on our journey from where we started to where we’re headed. Chris and I have had a lot of different stops on our respective musical journeys, but Something Right in Between is where our adventures converge. And while this release is significant for us, it is not our destination. It’s in between our starting and ending points. And while I love what this means right now, I think it’s even more incredible that this point in our journey has been frozen in time and captured on record, and what it means to me now is not what it could mean to me years from now when I look back on these moments. Our proximity is ever changing and as humans we’re always kind of on the proverbial journey or in between our check points or goals or whatever, but it is the journey, the “in between moments,” that define us, and this record is very special in that way. It defines a new me musically. I could go on and on about this, I love this stuff.
Chris: For me personally, Something Right in Between, is the center of everything that encapsulates me both as a person and as an artist. All of my thoughts, feelings, inspirations, aspirations, moments of progression. Everything is there in an 8-song collection of music. Something Right in Between is the album I think I always wanted to create, but never knew how to until we actually got there. Dan and I worked really hard on this album, we laid out everything on the floor for every listener, and I think there is at something for everyone to enjoy on this record.
You released “Sugar” as a single. How was it decided this song would be released as a single?
Dan: “Sugar” was the easiest single to pick. We knew from the beginning of the writing/demoing process that this was the one. It’s hardly ever that easy, but this time it was.
Chris: Yeah, it really was just, “the one,” right out of the gate. Everything about this song felt special, everything about this song screamed, “give me the spotlight!” While every song on the album is special and unique in some way, this song felt like the perfect way to say, “Hey, we have an album coming, here’s just a taste of what is coming your way!”
When did you realize you wanted to create music?
Dan: That is certainly a loaded question, but I realized that I wanted to make music with Chris after the first time he hired me to record “Sleepless in L.A.” and “Will You Please (Stay),” summer of 2020. He re-sparked my passion for writing and creating original music and helped reshape my perspective on what and how I was able to contribute. Each session, each hangout, each laugh really brought us together and now I couldn’t imagine making music with anyone else.
Chris: It ALL started for me when I was a kid. I loved playing rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. After having played those games for so long, my parents bought me my first guitar for my twelfth birthday. I started taking lessons around age thirteen, and everything just fell into place from there. I knew I wanted to start writing and playing in bands around 16, when I listened to the song, “The Permanent Rain,” by The Dangerous Summer for the first time. I was so enticed and excited by this sound of alternative music, that I needed more of it. That I needed to create music of my own that created the feeling that those songs gave me.
Who has been your favorite artist or band to see live?
Dan: My favorite band of all time to see live is Every Time I Die. I know, I know, it’s not pop or rock, but I grew up on metalcore and they are undoubtedly the greatest in that genre. The greatest live show that I had the pleasure to bare witness to was Yellowcard in fall 2014. They opened with “Transmission Home” and the whole thing was just a masterpiece.
Chris: I have so many answers for this. As It Is are definitely one of my favorites. I’m a little biased because they are my favorite band, but every time they put on a performance, it is so much fun to watch, and they always sound amazing. I had the honor of seeing The 1975 at Starland Ballroom one time, back in 2014, and that was easily one of the greatest live shows I have ever seen. Deftones are another band that are astounding live. I was genuinely left speechless after their live show.
What instrument do you not play that you hope to learn someday?
Dan: I play a lot of instruments already, but I would really, REALLY, love to get my piano skills up or get some time behind a mallet instrument like the vibes or a marimba. That’s my inner band nerd coming out.
Chris: Easy. Violin and Saxophone are the big two I want to learn next. Both instruments are so interesting to me, and playing them seems like so much fun. When I have more time, and the funds to afford a new instrument, those are next on the list.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
Dan: 2020 and 2021 have been particularly trying years for nearly all of us, and I find myself to be very fortunate that my bad days are few and far between. I have two things to pick me up though; I’m always trying to be grateful and remind myself that all these trials will one day pay themselves off and more tangibly, nothing perks me back up like a nap, a cup of coffee, and some couch time watching my favorite twitch streamers. I don’t know what it is, but it really pulls me out of my world, even if only for an hour or so, and I’m able to come back with a little more clarity on whatever may be bringing me down.
Chris: I am a naturally positive person, as well as naturally extroverted. I always find myself at my best when I am around the people that I love and care about. They are my reminder that no matter how bad things get, I will be okay because I am surrounded by people that love me and want to see me move forward in life. If I don’t have enough social energy to be around people, video games are always my way to relax and keep my head on straight. In general, I usually end my day with an hour or so of gaming to wrap up and put myself in a relaxed mood before I call it a night.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Dan: This has been a lot of fun. I’ve never really done Q&As before, so yeah! Super fun. I hope y’all dig these tunes we’ve cooked up and just remember to take care of each other. You never know what any one person is going through, and all it takes is a smile or compliment to lift someone out of a bad day. Peace and love y’all.
Chris: Thank you so much to anyone who has given Highwind a chance. The fact that there are people who care enough to listen to us, interact with us, and support what we do means the world to me. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope you enjoy the album when it comes out, and just know that we have so many more surprises in store for everyone as the year moves on.