In the next in a series of interviews to coincide with our “Record of the Year” list feature, we speak to Seahaven frontman Kyle Soto about ‘Reverie Lagoon: Music for Escapism Only’ which landed at number 6 on our list.
Seahaven’s sophomore effort proved to be a compelling effort that delicately grabs hold of you with its blues-y, atmospheric approach. From the opening moments of ‘Andreas’, you’re swept way in a wave of melancholy and Soto’s lyrical stream of consciousness; sorrow, guilt, regret, and fears.
‘Reverie Lagoon: Music for Escapism Only’ sees a band being more cohesive with a thought-provoking approach that looks forward and opens new possibilities for the Californian group.
Kyle Soto discusses with Already Heard how the perception of the band has changed with ‘Reverie Lagoon’ and shares his personal highlights from the past year.
View our Record of the Year 2014 feature here.
Already Heard: First of all congratulations on making our Top Ten Records of the Year list. What do you make of being part of the list?
Kyle: I’m very honored to be included as one of the top ten albums of the year. It feels good when hard work is recognized. Thank you.
AH: Since we last spoke to you at the Hit The Deck Festival in April. You’ve toured with Balance & Composure in the States and in the UK/Europe. What has been your personal highlights of the year?
Kyle: We played a handful of “home” shows collectively throughout the year, all of which were very rewarding. We also had a great time on both our US and UK/EU headlining runs. As far as the two months we spent with Balance, that was a highlight in and of itself just due to the fact that we have a lot of love and respect for those guys.
AH: ‘Reverie Lagoon’ has been out since March and you’ve been playing songs from the record since then. How has this record changed the way Seahaven is perceived as a band?
Kyle: I think it’s done a great deal of change as far as people’s perception of the group. I think it showed people a side of us that they possibly didn’t know existed before this, which I think is a great thing.
AH: How have fans taken to the shift towards your more atmospheric, melodic approach?
Kyle: It seems to be pretty positive as far as I know. I believe Seahaven has a lot of different colors and shapes and the people who see that and can appreciate the different musical movements are the one’s who really “get it.”
AH: What would change about the record, if anything?
Kyle: Nothing, to be honest. If there’s ever something that could possibly be changed, improved on, elaborated upon, etc., that’s where new ideas sprout from. The beauty of music is that there is no right and wrong, so if I ever feel that there is something that could be done differently, that’s where the next chapter begins.
AH: What are the bands plans for 2015? Will you continue to tour ‘Reverie Lagoon’ or will you be focusing on new material?
Kyle: I never try to “make plans to get inspired” so therefore, the writing comes when it comes. However, that’s not to say it isn’t a possibility. As far as touring goes, we may have some plans…
AH: To finish things off, you’ve released one of our favourite albums of the year, what have been some of your favourite albums of 2014?
Kyle: I think I’m a year behind because everything that I’ve been listening to recently is from 2013. However, the Schoolboy (Q) record (‘Oxymoron’) was cool and D dropped some nice stuff online. But other than that I suppose I need to catch up. ¡Pura Vida!
‘Reverie Lagoon: Music for Escapism Only’ by Seahaven is out now on Run for Cover Records.
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Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86)
