Unsure Beginnings of Our First Set of Songs
When we first started writing together, everything felt uncertain. It was during the pandemic, and the world was a chaotic mess. On top of that, Jess and I were just beginning to understand each other as collaborators. The emotions of the time were reflected in our first set of songs—there was a lot of unsureness and a sense of existential dread that found its way into our lyrics.
Our very first song together, "Pieces," came directly out of this tumultuous experience. It was about trying to make sense of a world that had turned upside down. Another song, "Where I'm Lost," spoke to the mess that our generation was expected to clean up. "Ashes" tackled the frustrating political landscape, where both sides were more focused on being "right" than actually making progress. Songs like "Inside Voices" captured the desire to withdraw completely, to retreat within, when dealing with everything became too much. And then there was "Different"—a song about a man who wanted to reinvent his entire life, as if to shed the weight of everything that was going on around him.
Not all tracks were about the collective pandemic experience. "Despire" was something I had written in college, exploring obsessive love, and "Fingertips" was an even darker narrative about a victim in an abusive relationship. Both of these songs, though distinct in their themes, still felt right at home in this collection—they were raw, emotional, and unflinchingly honest.
Our first singles, "Inside Voices" and "Different," were paired with the rest of the songs for our EP, titled "207." I named it after the room number of the Red Roof Inn Plus where I finished those last tracks—a fittingly odd landmark that represented the finish line for that phase of Padded Waltz's journey.
Finding Our Sound as a Duo
Initially, it was just Jess and me—piano and voice. Writing as a duo was intimate—and isolating. So much of our music at the time was fueled by themes of isolation and darkness. Personally, I've always thrived on that strange mix of feeling alone even when surrounded by people. There's something comforting about embracing the chaos, the darkness—not in a harmful way, but as a lens through which to understand the world. This period gave me a way to translate those feelings into our music, providing some solace in the creative process.
We weren't intentionally trying to write pandemic songs, but that's what happened. It was impossible not to let that experience seep into everything we did. When we added extra elements like horns, strings, and harmonies to our songs during production, the intention was to create this artsy, almost cinematic vibe—to make each track feel like its own universe. Those additions made the EP feel whole, and I'm genuinely proud of it. Despite the challenges, delays, and all the frustrations, it turned into something uniquely ours.
Solidifying Padded Waltz 1.0
As the pandemic began to let up, Ian (drums) and Josh (bass) joined Padded Waltz and really helped solidify our sound for the first set of songs. This lineup marked what we consider Padded Waltz 1.0. Ian and Josh brought a new sense of cohesion and rhythm that made our music feel more complete. The addition of a full rhythm section helped take our songs to the next level, transforming them from introspective pieces into something more dynamic and robust. It felt like we finally had the foundation we needed to fully express the ideas Jess and I had started with, giving our music a depth and power that wasn’t there before.
This was when Padded Waltz really got off the ground. We started playing shows and building a setlist, which later became the songs we recorded. It was an exciting time, feeling like everything was coming together, and the live performances gave us a new energy that carried into the recording process.
Recording Challenges with Our First Set of Songs
Recording the first set of songs wasn't without its difficulties. Working at a professional recording studio was both inspiring and a significant challenge. Having a sound engineer to help realize our vision was amazing, but it also introduced a lot of complexity. There were times where it felt like the communication between us and the engineer became a bottleneck. The constant back-and-forth meant that progress was slow, and since the recordings were physically at the recording studio, I couldn’t just make adjustments whenever I wanted.
Another major challenge was the cost. Studio time is expensive, and with our desire for perfection, we often ran into budget issues. It became difficult to justify the mounting costs, especially as the process dragged on longer than we expected. We were also navigating my own struggle with perfectionism—wanting every element to be flawless, which made me hold on longer than I probably should have. At some point, I had to realize that the songs didn't need to be perfect—they needed to be real and honest.
Eventually, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I asked to have the stems so I could mix them myself in my home studio. This gave me the flexibility I needed to make adjustments on my own schedule without the pressure of costly studio time. I spent countless hours refining the mixes, and finally, I brought everything together in Room 207 of the Red Roof Inn Plus—where I finalized those last tracks. It was a challenging, exhausting process, but in the end, it was exactly what those songs needed to become fully ours. I'm proud of these songs, but I know they could be even better. Maybe someday I'll go back, remix, and remaster them to truly bring out their potential.
Padded Waltz 2.0 with Dan
The addition of Dan on guitar has fundamentally changed who we are as a band. It’s like we leveled up—Padded Waltz 2.0. His presence makes our music make more sense to audiences. It’s more accessible, it’s bolder, and it adds a layer that we were missing before. Dan brings this incredible versatility—not afraid to shred but also knows when to dial it back and let the song breathe. His contributions have pushed our sound into what I think is a more complete version of ourselves.
Our newer songs, the ones on "The Variable," feel different. There's still that thread of darkness in the lyrics, but the music itself is lighter—or maybe "happier" isn’t quite the word, but there’s an energy that wasn’t there before. Songs like "Behind the Scenes," where a ghost realizes her partner doesn’t even see her, still have that signature depth, but the music carries a bit more movement, more hope. "Wash Away" touches on existential reflections, three people facing their final moments, yet there's a certain beauty to the narrative that carries through in the arrangement. "Hand Me Down" is written from the perspective of the personification of awful feelings like shame, embarrassment, and insecurity, giving these emotions a voice and narrative that is both devastating and deeply human.
The creative control we have now means we record live together in the studio for each take. That doesn’t mean we’re on stage—just that when we’re in the studio, we play through each track together from beginning to end without cuts. It captures the real energy of Padded Waltz. We did this with our first album, but doing it now, with a bigger band, and in our own space, feels even more powerful. The synergy we’ve built is undeniable, and we capture it in every take.
The Evolution of Padded Waltz - Reflecting and Growing
Looking back at "207," it’s clear that the first set of songs were a stepping stone—an isolated, introspective phase that reflected the times we were living through. We were trying to make sense of things that, honestly, didn’t make sense. Now, with "The Variable," we’ve moved into a new era. We’re still carrying the same emotional honesty, but our view has shifted—it’s about our audience now, about our connection to the outside world. We’re no longer just sitting with our thoughts; we’re sharing them, expanding them.
Our sound has grown bigger, our shows have become more of an experience, and we’ve learned to write not just for ourselves but for everyone who listens to us. We’ve added visuals to our shows, paired our music with old sci-fi films, and let our live performances evolve beyond what they were before.
I can't wait for everyone to hear "The Variable." Every track is exactly what I hear in my head. It’s the most authentic thing I've produced so far, and it captures who we are, as musicians, as individuals, and as a band. If "207" was about surviving, "The Variable" is about thriving. And that, to me, makes all the difference.
If you’re interested in piano, guitar, or voice lessons, Jess and I also own and operate Descant Music in Holyoke, MA. Visit descant-music.com to learn more. And for more insights into our world of music, tune in to our podcast, Musician U, at Musician U on Spotify. Happy listening! | Live Music Near Me |
Comments