ShallowSky is a band that refuses to be boxed into a single formula. Made up of Brian (vocals), Matt (drums), Eric (bass), and Casey (guitar), the band has been carving out its own identity through heavy music, honest songwriting, and a willingness to experiment both creatively and onstage.
During our conversation, the members of ShallowSky opened up about their favorite songs to play in different settings, the challenges of performing newer material live, their approach to songwriting, influences ranging from Children of Bodom and Sepultura to Van Halen and 311, and why stepping outside the expected formula is so important to them.
When asked which ShallowSky song belongs in a loud car, the answer came quickly: “Delete Me.” The band described it as a favorite among listeners and a track that simply “rolls hard.” For a headphone listen, they pointed toward “Currents,” showing the different sides of their music depending on how it’s experienced.
Live performance, however, brings its own set of challenges. Their newer song “Faceless” has become one of those tracks that makes the band a little nervous before hitting the stage. Despite having only performed it a handful of times, vocalist Brian admitted that he sometimes finds himself worrying that he will forget the lyrics once the song begins.
“But how it gets going, it all works out,” the band explained.
For the current tour, the band wanted to give fans a comprehensive experience by playing songs from the album they released last year. Still, there are some tracks that simply aren’t practical to perform every night.
“There’s a few I’d like to play, but they’re just too hard to sing every night,” Brian explained.
That balance between what sounds great on a record and what can realistically be performed night after night is something many touring musicians face. For ShallowSky, it ultimately comes down to making sure the songs work in a live environment without sacrificing the vocalist’s ability to deliver a strong performance. One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was the band’s perspective on individuality within the music industry. ShallowSky recognizes that there is a certain formula artists are often encouraged to follow, but they aren’t interested in simply checking every box.
“I think that sometimes it’s important to forge your own path,” Casey said.
While they understand that musicians have to “play the game” to some extent, the band wants to challenge expectations through their songwriting, lyrics, performances, photography, and even their approach to social media.
“We’re trying to think outside the box more than being told what to do so much and having to follow that.” Casey continues
That philosophy also carries over into their live shows. Although the band admitted they don’t always see large mosh pits, “Cryptid” has been getting people moving throughout the tour. The track has already inspired a few pits, affectionately referred to by the band as the “Crypt Pit.”
Touring isn’t without its technical headaches, either. Because ShallowSky’s setup involves a significant amount of technology, there are plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong. Early in the tour, the band experienced some lighting problems, forcing them to become more diligent about checking their equipment before each show. Fortunately, most of the time, everything has gone according to plan.
The band’s songwriting process is equally instinctive. Rather than forcing a song into existence simply because they feel like they need another track, ShallowSky waits for an idea to naturally pull them forward.
“If the song is pushing me, then it’ll just flow,” they explained. “If I feel myself pushing the song and trying to drag stuff up that’s not there, then I usually call it.”
For the band, authenticity is more important than simply finishing a song. They believe listeners can tell when something comes from a genuine place. That approach actually affected the creation of their new material. One song that was originally being considered for the new album ultimately didn’t feel right and was replaced by another track written later. That replacement ended up becoming “Faceless.”
Looking back, the band is glad they trusted their instincts rather than forcing the original song into place. When it comes to touring alongside other artists, ShallowSky doesn’t necessarily feel that one particular band makes them work harder than everyone else. They approach every show with the mindset that they need to bring their A-game.
However, they singled out Purified and Blood Across the Sky in Denver as two bands that really impressed them during the current tour.
“They made us bring the game,” the band said.
Offstage, ShallowSky has developed another important part of tour life: their own bus anthem. The members revealed that they have essentially written a song that they play while traveling, although it’s very much one of those “you had to be there” moments. Their musical influences, meanwhile, are about as diverse as their approach to songwriting.
One member pointed to Children of Bodom as a major influence from when they first discovered heavy music. Another comes from a completely different musical background, citing Van Halen, Faith No More, and 311 as important influences. For another member, the foundation comes from thrash and heavier metal, with bands such as Sepultura, Slayer, and Anthrax helping shape their musical perspective.
They also mentioned their friends in Windwalkers, particularly because the two bands have worked with the same producer, Nick Maskows. Rather than simply attempting to replicate another band’s sound, Shallow Sky sees Windwalkers as an example of a group they can learn from and follow creatively.
Ultimately, ShallowSky’s story is about trusting their instincts. Whether they’re deciding which songs belong in a live set, abandoning a track that doesn’t feel right, experimenting with their presentation, or drawing inspiration from wildly different corners of heavy music, the band isn’t interested in following a blueprint simply because it’s what everyone else is doing. They’re building their own path and judging by the energy surrounding their live shows and the confidence behind their new material, that path is starting to take shape.
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