Wave Break is just getting started and we had the absolute privilege of chatting with Kelly Barber about her latest EP “Puzzle Pieces” as well as what the future may hold and more!
Let’s dive right in with a recent favorite question-- If Wave Break had a Joker Origin story what would it be and why?
In a way, Wave Break actually does have one haha. Before Wave Break started, I joined this other band for like 2 months. We had practice every week, I wrote a ton of lyrics for an EP and everything. Then I was told that they couldn’t make the band happen financially anymore amongst other excuses and that it was dead, and I went to pick up all my stuff from the practice space. I didn’t find this out until months after Wave Break started and we were recording our debut EP but apparently, they had found a new male vocalist and were in the studio with him. So between that and some questionable comments they made at some of our practices, I’m convinced they kicked me out because they decided they didn’t want to work with a girl. Wave Break didn’t form because of realizing that since it formed beforehand, but it’d be fun to pretend that it did and that that was our joker origin story! That whole thing is actually what the song “Flight Syndrome” on our debut EP is about.
Swinging back from fiction and into reality, what was the light switch moment where you thought "Hey, I should start writing music."
So for as long as I can remember I’ve loved creating things – I think it goes all the way back to being in pre-school and loving doing arts and crafts. When I was 9, I found out that my mom used to play a little bit of guitar in high school and that she had her old guitar in the basement. That’s when I realized I wanted to learn how to play, and then once I did, I naturally started writing my own stuff since I already loved creating things. It took me a few years to actually get started for real, but once I did I ran with it.
"Puzzle Pieces" is your first EP since rebranding, how does it feel to have that as essentially your debut to the new Wave Break?
It’s definitely weird and a little bit of déjà vu since it’s basically a solo record, and I used to do solo material before Wave Break! But it feels good to have something out that is entirely my vision and that I can take full credit for – other than for a few people who helped me out along the way, of course. But I think the caliber of the songwriting work and the visuals on this EP set the stage for what Wave Break will be doing in the future and I’m very excited.
Much like many prominent artists, you are based in New Jersey. How does your location shape your writing?
A lot of emo bands have come out of New Jersey, like Senses Fail, Armor for Sleep, The Early November, and now Can’t Swim. I think Wave Break definitely has some of the same emo feel to it, but we make it our own. We also add a lot of Jersey attitude and sass to some of our music.
If you could have a songwriting workshop with any artist, who would you choose and why?
Hands down Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World. They don’t have a SINGLE bad song over literally 10 albums of material and I think that’s absolutely incredible. I once had a dream that I got to talk with him about songwriting and I’m hoping one day that can actually happen. He’s one of my biggest songwriting idols.
Any plans for a full-length album release in the future?
Definitely at some point but not sure when yet! The next record probably will be another EP but after that who knows? We’ll see!
Let's take things back in time to the era of myspace. If you had to create a top 8 list featuring artists that inspire you, who would you choose and why?
This list starts off kind of predictably but here are some of my all-time favorites that inspire me. It was so hard to cut it down to just 8!
Would you like to add anything else for our readers at home? The floor is yours!
Check out Wave Break’s new EP “Puzzle Pieces” on all streaming platforms! Also, stay tuned for shows and small tours in 2022 and beyond as well as new music. We’re just getting started!
Be sure to check out our review for “Puzzle Pieces” while streaming on your streaming platform of choice.
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