Homeshake Talks Twin Peaks, Music, And Not Being A Licensed Therapist

Earworm Digital correspondent Peter Swan had the chance to ask indie darling Homeshake some questions before his show at The Observatory North Park in San Diego. Here is there back-and-forth where they talk about everything under the sun. Topics such as Twin Peaks, weather, and much more were discussed in this riveting conversation that sheds new light on the man behind Homeshake. If you’re a fan, this is a must-read!

PS: Thank you for making the time to do this. How are you today?

Homeshake: i am well, we’re driving from Salt Lake Coty to Denver, it’s cold but the scenery is all extra special paired with the rising sun.

PS: First, let’s talk about your new album Under the Weather. Dreams seem to play a big part in your music, from the sound of the songs themselves, to “Careful” being based off of a nightmare you had. Do you dream often?

Homeshake: I dream every night and they’re always bad.

PS: What was your last dream?

Homeshake: Last night I dreamt some people in business suits surrounded me to steal my shoes.

PS: How has the reception to playing songs from Under the Weather been? Has it been what you wanted?

Homeshake: It’s been really great actually, when we toured helium we hit the road almost the day it was released and people hadn’t been able to spend much time with the album so it was quite awkward. This one having come out so long ago even the deeper cuts are getting some love at shows and it makes performing really fun.

PS: Because this record was released during COVID, there was an intermittent period where you weren’t able to perform this album live like you normally would have done. Do you think that break between release and touring helped you figure out what might be better for you to play, or what might the audience better react to?

Homeshake: When I was making the record I was trying to be conscious of how the songs would translate live, so I pretty much knew what we would be playing as it was being written. As for how an audience will react it’s usually a mystery to me and that makes it special.

PS: You’re not one to typically do an encore because you don’t want to be too predictable, but at some recent shows like the San Diego North Park Observatory, you did one. What made you rethink your perspective on doing them?

Homeshake: Not doing one had become predictable so I had to switch up. The one we’ve been doing on this tour has been a cathartic way to finish a show and I really enjoy it, but I still think they’re stupid.

PS: Let’s bring it back to the making of this album. Previously you had self-produced all your own records. How was it collaborating with Lucas Nathan?

Homeshake: Working with them on the mix was really wonderful, I sent them all the stems and they would respond with a mix and I would respond with notes and they would respond with another mix and on and on until we finished it. What normally would have taken maybe a few days took a few weeks, but it was so fun to have this long distance project to work on with an old friend.

PS: Has working with Lucas shifted how you might approach projects in the future?

Homeshake: Learned a lot from them that will help guide my own approach to mixing, and a second set of ears on the mix is always essential.

PS: Once your tour is up, what’s next? I know you’ve stated before that “recording is your favorite thing to do” — do you think you need time to recharge or has playing live given you some sparks of creativity?

Homeshake: Recording is recharging for me, and I got an album half finished waiting for me so i’ll be back at it pretty quick.

PS: This was not the cheeriest of albums — dealing with your own depression and anxieties are never easy topics — but you managed to make this album in spite of that. How did you keep yourself motivated enough to finish this?

Homeshake: I’ve never really had issues staying motivated to record, it’s one of the things I love most and I always leave space for it in my life. Sometimes it didn’t roll as smoothly as I would have liked but I felt more patient with this album than I have with previous ones, so I just gave it time when necessary to come together naturally.

PS: What words might you have for someone in their own depressive state?

Homeshake: I am not a licensed therapist so I wouldn’t take my advice too seriously but if I have any they’re in the album.

PS: Let’s move onto some less-depressing topics: Twin Peaks! You once said Twin Peaks had your favorite theme song of any television series. What do you like about the soundtrack to that show?

Homeshake: We actually visited the falls and diner from Twin Peaks on a day off between Vancover and Portland on this tour. I love Lynch’s contrast of sweet and terrifying, and Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtrack is such a perfect match. that Julie Cruise album is one of my all time favs.

PS: Do you ever find yourself putting nods to pieces you enjoy inside your own music?

Homeshake: Constantly.

PS: I also heard you loved binging through Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Do you think that Quark is a war criminal?

Homeshake: What? no.

PS: What was your favorite Ferengi episode? Do you think the Ferengi would be proud of your success as an artist?

Homeshake: I love the one when Rom leads the bar workers on a strike. Rom would be proud of me and maybe Ishka but i don’t think i make enough money to qualify for a Ferengi view of success.

PS: Alright, pick one, get rid of the other two, and why. Twin Peaks, Deep Space Nine, or The Sopranos?

Homeshake: No fuckin’ way.

PS: I crowdsourced some questions and I got a lot asking about your name: what are the origins of it? Do you like your name?

Homeshake: It was just a reference to a secret handshake at a house i moved into with friends when I was like 20. i’ve gone thru periods of wanting to change it, but I mean it’s not the worst name i’ve ever heard.

PS: Do you think you’ve shaken a lot of homes in your time as an artist?

Homeshake: No.

PS: Is there a song you find people over analyze and get the wrong meaning for?

Homeshake: Yeah, I mean a lot of them but I don’t usually publish the lyrics and am not very open with the details of what most of them are about so if that ever happens it’s on me.

PS: If you had the choice, would you rather be here right now, or back at that Daft Punk concert in 2007 but then you’d have to do it all over again?

Homeshake: I’m good here.