An Interview With the LA-Based Glitch Pop Duo, BAD WAVE!

Get to know the Los Angeles-based glitch-pop duo, Bad Wave.  They recently released the anthem called “Money.” The track was inspired by people who love for financial gain or protection, rather than true connection. “To rephrase a Mountain Goats lyric: Some things you do for love, and some you do for money, money, money.”

This band is comprised of two former surf-rockers Tucker Tota and Patrick Hart, who first connected over a fondness for Weezer and refer to their friendship as a “tech-inspired bromance,” thanks to their shared love of analog synths and plug-ins.

Their light-as-air melodies and glitchy synth-pop sound recalls the likes of Foster The People, Phoenix and New Order, and has earned praise from NME, Wonderland, USA Today, Billboard, The Guardian and more.

The duo produce most of the music via email (à la The Postal Service), despite living in the same the same neighborhood. The over-Internet mystique allows them to “collaborate without the limitations of having to put on pants.” After releasing a handful of glorious sunshine cuts like “Extraordinary” “3 AM” and “1955,” Bad Wave return to close out 2017 with a **BANG** with their new capitalism-tinted bop  “Money,” a track that slides on boisterous synths and radiant ’60s girl-group backing vocals, as they repeat the mantra: “ooh, I just want you for your money.”

Check out “Money” here:  https://soundcloud.com/bad-wave/money/s-rB36l

Learn more about Bad Wave in the following All Access interview:

So first things first, what all are you most excited about for this year? Did any of you make New Year Resolutions? Care to share any of them with us?

We didn’t get a chance to put out a lot of music last year, so we’d like to correct that this year. More songs. More videos. More shows. More everything.

How did this group first come to be? Can you recall the moment when you all thought you could be in a band together? Was it hard to come up with a name that you all thought fit your sound and who you are?

We were friends before we were in a band. And we were both musicians. So it was only a matter of time before we ended up writing songs together.

Coming up with names is more and more difficult as band names get taken. We just wanted to make sure we didn’t have to use some weird spelling like bands are doing now, or leaving out vowels. We respect the English language.

How do you think this band has been influenced by the city you are all from? How does that particular music scene affect you all?

I (Tucker) am from Miami and I have pretty much no latin or Caribbean influence on my music. And Pat is from Nashville with no country music influence on his. So I can confidently say we are immune to city influence.

Let’s talk about your latest single called “Money.” What was the inspiration for this track? How do you think this song is different or similar to anything else that you have previously released?

It’s a little more tongue-in-cheek than our other songs. A bit more silly. Although money can be a serious topic. So one day I’ll have to write a money ballad.

Why do you choose to produce most of your music via email even though you two live in the same neighborhood? How do you think this method is the best for your process?

I think it’s because our roles in the band are very distinct. So even if we were in the same room, it would be the same process of working on it one at a time, back and forth. But maybe that’ll change in the future.

Who would you love to work with in the future? Who are some of your favorite artists right now? What would be a dream collaboration for this group?

Opening for Radiohead. Or just being in Radiohead. If someone from Radiohead gets fired, we’re available.

While this may be difficult to answer, where do you think you are all happiest- on stage performing, in the studio recording music or elsewhere?

Stage is more visceral. Studio is more thoughtful. Stage feels good short term. Studio feels good long term. So a bit of both is probably the boring but true answer.