Ninefingers Listens: Down In The Cellar — by Four Eyed Whale
As we are coming up on the end of 2023 I realized that I had been so busy working on my own releases this year that I hadn’t taken as much time as I’d like to do a deep dive into everyone else’s songs. Writing some end of the year wrap up interviews felt like just the kind of excuse I needed to hear what people have been working on and so I sent a call out to the universe for people to send me the songs they released this year so that I could sit down and really listen.
This song is called Down In The Cellar and it is by Four Eyed Whale.
Nine: Thank you for sending this in! Listening to it now. Right away I’m struck by the combination of different sounds (guitar, bass, drum machine, multiple vocals?), you end up with a very unique sounding song! There are a lot of different elements going on as well as panning in the speakers as a pretty major element of the song construction as well. How did you go about recording this song?
4EW: This song was recorded in my former basement studio, “The Cellar”. We used a Macbook, an mpc/midi controller, Arturia synth, guitar and bass. And of course, multiple layers of vocals. I had already written the lyrics and had some idea of what I was hoping for. My collaborator came over the night I wrote the lyrics and we just got to work! The earworm aspect (panning and such) is definitely intentional and I’m glad you noticed those textures/details! I want it to really transport folks into another dimension and help them tap into that which is buried deep within themselves. Also, creating a bit of a washing effect like the ocean.
Nine: Listening to all these unique sounds being blended together I’m right away very curious about your inspirations for the different elements that make up the song.
4EW: I wanted a funky and dark bass line, and did my best to play that. I wanted hard hitting drums that had the sonic quality of hip hop beats, but at a more “dance music“ oriented tempo. The boom bap was immediate, and then it was a matter of finding good textures and such. The cymbal panning and swelling gave us that feeling. The guitar is mostly harmonics for more depth and feel, and then a slightly out of time rhythmic part in the verses to loosen up the feel a bit from the pounding choruses. There is also a piano tone that is a bit out of time, to counter the hard pulse of the song. As far as the original inspiration for the song itself and the lyrics it began with: it’s an interesting story. I was seeing repeated numbers a lot. Like, even in my dreams. I asked my friend and collaborator (who is a numerologist) about what I was experiencing. He immediately said “go and start writing right now! I’m coming over but start writing now and I’ll explain later”. Well, what I was seeing (mostly 1s, three or more at a time) is the number of the angels. It indicates that one is in a place of deep connectivity to the source. It is believed that these numbers are messages from the spiritual universe that offer insight, wisdom and directionality. They indicate that one is on the right path. I tried to step out of the way, bypass my humanity, and channel whatever the spirits were asking of me. “The Cellar” as mentioned in the song, is the place deep in myself where I store my everything: fear, joy, hopes, and so on. I often unintentionally repress my creations and let them slip down into a place where they won’t be shared. This tune required something different of me. To be present with and responsible for my ability to create. This is a lengthy explanation, but honestly doesn’t quite encapsulate everything for me. But that’s the general run down!
Nine: I am not very familiar with numerology but as someone named after a number, perhaps I should learn more about it! That’s really interesting that for you The Cellar was referencing something deep within yourself while simultaneously being the name of the studio you were recording the song in, seems like the song was meant to be. Part of this song is about repressing your creations, I see that in terms of streaming you’ve released one single every three years with this being your newest release. Is 2024 going to be the time to break that cycle and start sharing more of your music with the world?
4EW: Dang, asking the hard hitting questions! On the real, I kinda figured you’d ask about my releases, or lack thereof. And I appreciate the call out. I definitely have my reasoning for having held back so much, but most of it will likely just sound like excuses. In fairness, my focus has always been on live performance. That’s what I truly love and pour myself into. And the cynic in me thinks that streaming in general is kind of a joke, especially from a financial perspective. But, I also know that there are so many people I will never reach without more of my music being available online. Plus, folks in my life that don’t live nearby also can’t experience my live music. Of course the algorithms aren’t always helpful…. but here I go with my excuses! One interesting point I heard that has been bouncing around in my mind: once you release a song it is no longer yours, and now belongs to the world. True or not, the sentiment hit me. And I clearly have much trouble letting go of my creations. But I also am starting to recognize that there’s no way all of these creations were just meant for me, or meant to hide away inside me. I have been feeling for a while now that I’d like to approach it differently. So, to answer your question in short: YES! I seriously hope that 2024 is the year that I break the cycle. I know that given my track record, I need to do much more than hope. I’m gonna set some goals and ways to be accountable to those goals. Thank you for asking this question.
Nine: On top of being a songwriter and performer, you also organize events for other local songwriters. There has been Local Sounds at Two Rivers on Fridays, you set up a series of shows at Nico Wine on Sundays. So first I want to thank you for contributing to your community and your peers in this way, but also I want to ask you as someone who is so familiar with local music and shows, what do you think are some of the best ways a local music scene can build itself up so that both the artists and the venues can support each other and have everyone grow together?
4EW: Yeah, for sure! I am really enjoying being a host/promoter/etc. I started Local Sounds in October of 2022. I was initially asked to host an open mic, and I got excited and started making plans. Unfortunately there was some confusion and more than one person was asked to be the regular host. The other person, who shall remain nameless, made quite a stink about it and I decided that it wasn’t meant for me. I took a chance and asked for another night of the week instead. Friday was offered (Um, yes please). Subsequently I had a chance to have my own night. I have had residencies before, and I sure do love me a stage & a spotlight! But I felt like it was time to shine that light on others, and let them step into their power. And poof, Local Sounds was born! It has been an incredible run so far, and I’m grateful for everyone who’s supported us and been involved. I’d have to count, but I can speculate that I’ve booked roughly 100 different artists in the last year. It’s humbling, flattering and truly rewarding. Wine Down Sundays at Nico has also been a blast. That show is on hold for now, as the performance is outdoors and fully exposed to the elements. But we will be rebooting the show in Spring of 2024! ~ So, how can we lift this community up and keep building the ether? I think from a venue and promotional standpoint, consistency is paramount. If you tell folks you’re gonna have music somewhere every week, you damn well better be there making music. Even when turnout is poor, the show must go on. You’ll never develop an innate audience if you disappoint people that came for your promised entertainment. Now from a fellow musician perspective, I think it’s just about genuine support. Maybe you can’t make it to all these shows, but you can still help to promote them. Honestly, even if you aren’t totally into someone’s musical style or whatever, can’t you still be supportive of them? Can we show appreciation that so many folks are putting their art and their heart on full display? It can be as simple as reposting flyers, expanding the reach of an artist’s network. When we play shows with other artists, are we just playing and then bouncing? I sure hope not! Yes, we all have lives to get back to. But if you can spare even 30 minutes to stop and listen, you could be changing the life of an artist. We don’t all have fans that come out to support. And your presence could help to reassure an artist that they have value. I don’t think that’s naivety, I genuinely believe that. The last thing would be a budget, and more venues being willing to pay artists/musicians. As far as business goes, it’s definitely a “spend money to make money” kind of situation. But we can’t all just play for free and have it be sustainable. So I hope to see much more monetary support for the arts from the city itself, as well as from the local businesses that benefit from the arts community.
Four Eyed Whale can be followed on IG: @foureyedwhale as well as Local Sounds: @_localsounds
(If you enjoyed this interview and would like to support the work of Ninefingers, they have a Patreon at Ninefingers and a Bandcamp at NinefingersMusic)
