Sound & Shape is a passionate rock band from Nashville with a lot of soul. They're road warriors who have earned their spots. Their new ep, Now Comes the Mystery, was released on May 10. LEO spoke with singer/guitarist Ryan Caudle.
LEO: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard you yet?
RC: Without knowing what their exact frame of reference is, I'd normally just say rock 'n roll. I think when you start breaking things down into sub-genres and sub-sub-genres, the magic of the self discovery aspect of music can get taken away. It's a super hard thing to be objective about one's music and not immediately say, "It sounds like the greatest thing you've ever heard in your life!"
LEO: Do you write on a schedule, or whenever inspiration strikes?
RC: I have certain open times in my schedule where I know I'll be able to sit down with my guitar and notebook, but usually, throughout the week, I'll be collecting little ideas as the inspiration hits me: lyric fragments, overall song ideas, a riff or a chord progression and then, when I have the free time, I'll sit down and assemble all the pieces. Sometimes the whole thing just comes at once though, and I'll just kind of stop what I'm doing and push through it.
LEO: Where do you find ideas for your songs?
RC: A song idea can literally come from anywhere. Sometimes, when I'm in a public place, I'll hear snippets of conversation and, after those people move out of earshot, my brain will just automatically pick up the storyline of their conversation and continue it internally, which will then sometimes turn into an idea or into an actual lyric. Other times, movies, books, television shows, etc. can kind of give a spark of inspiration as well. Not in a directly literal way, but more of a "that's cool... but what if THIS happened instead?" kind of way.
LEO: How do your surroundings inspire your music?
RC: I think your surroundings have a major subconscious impact on your writing. If you're comfortable in the place where a song is written, I think that comes through; just like if you're in an unfamiliar place or somewhere where you might not feel so secure, artistically or otherwise, that, too, will be evident in the finished product.
LEO: What is your favorite song to perform? What do you think is your worst song?
RC: Right now there are two, and they are actually both brand new. One is called "Wheels To Babylon" and the other is called "Everybody Leaves." They are both kind of on opposite ends of the spectrum, musically, but I think I managed to say what I wanted to say with each pretty completely.
As far as worst song goes, there are actually a few clunkers I'll take responsibility for, ha ha. Luckily, most of those are and will remain unreleased. Of all the released stuff, I'd have to say probably a song called "Feed Me to the Spiders" from our first record. It just doesn't go anywhere interesting or say anything.
LEO: What is the most rewarding part and the most difficult part about your work?
RC: The most rewarding part is definitely all the handshakes and hugs and the "you're my new favorite band"s. More than anything, I want to be great at what we do, so when people are into it, it's pretty much the best feeling you can imagine.
The most difficult by far is being away from home. Even if we're just gone for a few days, the second I get in the van I miss my girlfriend and our two cats and our apartment. Having someone at home makes being away kind of bittersweet sometimes.
LEO: Have you spent much time in Louisville? Any impressions of us?
HC: We've played Louisville off and on for a few years now and, with the exception of one time, we've always had great shows and a great time. Louisville is a lot like Nashville to me. It's a pretty forward thinking and "hip" town, in a state kind of known for being neither of those things.
Sound & Shape with BEHM
Thursday, June 23
10:30 p.m., $5
Hideaway Saloon
1607 Bardstown Road
http://www.facebook.com/soundandshape
c. 2011 LEO Weekly
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