INTERVIEW: The Sea At Midnight talk background and influences with new single ‘Midnight Sun’

After what was already an impactful few months for them, fast-rising outfit The Sea At Midnight aren’t slowing down anytime soon as they drop their immersive new single ‘Midnight Sun’.

Lifted from their forthcoming EP, which is set to land soon, ‘Midnight Sun’ sees them return with more of that rich and tantalising indie-rock they have earned a solid reputation for.

So we sat down with them to find out more about their background and influences over the years.

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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?

I can’t say for sure what the very first rock song or artist was that made an impact on me, but I have a distinct memory of a friend playing The Cure for me at his place for the first time. That left a huge impression on me—their sound, the atmosphere it created, the emotion in the music and the lyrical imagery all seemed to bring me to a different state of being. Or that’s what it felt like. It was a magical afternoon that I’ll never forget. 

Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?

Some of my biggest musical influences within the rock genre would definitely be the early post-punk pioneers. Bands like Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Psychedelic Furs had a huge impact on me with their moody atmospheres and evocative songwriting. I’d also include very early R.E.M. and U2, whose raw energy and distinct sounds helped shape my musical perspective.

Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?

I listen to a lot of music, so I imagine other indirect influences naturally find their way into my songwriting. Beyond rock, I’m especially drawn to darkwave and goth music—bands like Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, Gary Numan, and Killing Joke have all probably been major influences. There’s been a resurgence of this sound in recent years, and it’s been exciting to see so many excellent new artists carrying that torch forward. Like I said though, I listen to a lot of music so I spend time listening to everything from hip hop to older country artists like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, jazz, edm, ambient music, Native American music. As you know, with the advent of streaming services it’s all literally at our fingertips.

What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?

I can’t really pinpoint a single main inspiration—it’s more of an organic process. I just enjoy playing guitar, and that’s usually when the songs reveal themselves. I don’t even feel like I “write” them; they seem to come out of the ether on their own accord. I’ll be playing, and suddenly a chord progression, riff, or melody will manifest, and I have no idea where that initial spark comes from. If something resonates with me, the inspiration then shifts to exploring whether there’s a full song there and shaping it into something I connect with. Even lyrics seem to come from somewhere outside myself. Over the past year, climate change has been weighing heavily on my mind, and that theme has naturally found its way into a lot of the new music I’ve been working on.

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?

What I enjoy most about performing live is the incredible adrenaline rush—it’s a powerful high. In those moments, all my senses are heightened, and there’s an almost electric energy that makes it an amazing experience. One particularly memorable performance was The Sea At Midnight’s first-ever show. At the time, I didn’t even have band together, but I was invited to play a small festival in Los Angeles and Chris King, who produced the music, agreed to play guitar, Brandon Pierce—who played drums on the debut album—was up for playing drums, and my nephew Michael Baron flew in from Chicago to play bass. That lineup was my ultimate dream band, and it was such an honour to share the stage with them and have them bring the songs to life. It was especially meaningful to finally perform with my nephew—we had talked about playing together for years, but with me in LA and him in Chicago, it didn’t seem feasible. Finally having the opportunity to be onstage with him and perform together was truly magical.

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?

I can’t pinpoint just one moment, but the entire journey of The Sea At Midnight over the past few years has been incredibly rewarding—it’s definitely my favorite project or band I’ve ever pursued. After a long hiatus from music, meeting producer Chris King was a turning point. We hit it off right away, and he inspired me to start recording again. He also pushed me to form a band and bring the songs to life on stage. Throughout this process—and probably because I fully threw myself back into music—I’ve continued to write new material that I’m genuinely artistically satisfied with. That, in itself, has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey.

How would you define success as a musician?

Like most musicians, I’d define success as being able to make a living from my music—where it not only covers essentials like rent and health insurance but also sustains itself financially. That means having the music pay for things like recording, buying instruments, and producing merch, whether it’s vinyl or T-shirts. Ultimately, success would mean being able to focus entirely on creating and sharing music without the need for a day job to keep it all going.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

It might sound cliché but make music because you love it—because there’s something inside you that compels you to create—not just for the pursuit of fame or fortune. Those things can be motivating, but if they never come, and unmet goals turn into frustration or disappointment, you risk missing out on the magic of the journey. Focus on the process, the moments of inspiration, and the joy of creating—those are the things that truly make it worthwhile.

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Listen to The Sea At Midnight’s new single ‘Midnight Sun’ below.