Sanderlings, the brainchild of Santa Barbara DIY musician Woody Locke, recently released a video for Stories, a new track off the ocean-themed 4-piece’s upcoming self-titled album, out 8th June.
They started humbly as a solo project with Woody releasing a home-recorded EP in May 2016 and a 7″ vinyl in November of that year. Over the next 2 years momentum was building as members solidified and the band set out to write it’s debut album.
We caught up with Woody, Marvin (lead guitar) and Adam (drums) as they talked about their upcoming album and more!
So how has the release of Stories gone down with fans so far?
Woody: It’s been pretty amazing. Like, we’re a small band but the support we’ve received has been huge. It’s really rewarding to see something we as a band put so much effort into being received so well.
Marvin: Great enthralling response amongst fans and strangers alike, very encouraging as one of our first multimedia endeavors
Adam: N/A
Can you tell us something about the video no one else knows?
Woody: We crashed a drone multiple time and it almost took Anthony’s head off. Clean off. Who knew flying those things was so hard. Also we didn’t use the footage from it so in the end it was just a terrifying wast of time.
Marvin: Contrary to popular belief, Im not the same lead guitarist thats depicted in the music people. We are actually quite different in visual appearance, and there many subtle yet notable differences in our playing styles
Adam: Asking for forgiveness over permission is a great gamble if you make peace with worst case scenarios. Like if the cops show up,
which they did and I thought I saw Woody cry.
How pumped are you for your upcoming debut album?
Woody: I mean, it’s the dream. You know when a dog steals a huge stake off the counter and runs around doing the “I’m so much faster than the dumb, slow humans” dance? That’s me.
Marvin: Incredibly excited, the album as a whole really is a sonic adventure to partake in either as an audience member or a performer
Adam: Very excited, we have all put in a lot of work on this.
What’s your favourite track from the release?
Woody: Oooooh it changes, but I really like Future Spirit of Tonite, it’s sort of my anthem, and I really like Sound Logic because it’s so cathartic to sing and play.
Marvin: Sound Logic, recorded version sounds so lush and rich on the LP, but the live version is also very cool (There may or may not be some embellished guitar solos)
Adam: Lizards Mouth Feeling
So you have a tour coming up also next month, what venue are you most looking forward to playing?
Woody: I’m playing a solo show at a place called the Shit Dungeon. The. Shit. Dungeon. I have a feeling all the metal heads and thrashers will be disappointed at my set.
Marvin: Which ever venue has the richest historical background
Adam: I am looking forward to our east bay date(s). I have a number of friends in the area that I will get to see that I don’t visit often enough.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Woody: OH MAN OH MAN. I don’t really know but I’d say The Gaslight Anthem if just put on the spot(or maybe Japandroids). I used to think of TGA as over rated actually which is funny because The ’59 sound is a hell of a record now. I love the guitar tones, the brutal slap-back on the vocals and that haunting voice Brian Fallon has. Plus the lyrics weave in and out of song references and personal experiences, truly masterful. But at that point I might as well go to the source and really say Bruce Sprinsteen.
Marvin: I’m a hardcore Radio-head fan so I would love to just sit in a rehearsal space with all the guys and watch them work their magic on a new song, I would probably be to mesmerized to actually contribute anything, so to that length I would love to work with the guys in The Voidz. Really enjoyed the arrangement and song structure in Virtue right up my alley for weird unorthodox guitar playing that I enjoy and Woody rarely permits me to divulge in.
Adam: I would love to work with John Maus or Fart Barf. I find both of their approaches to pop / dance music beautiful.
What’s the alternative scene like in Santa Barbara at the moment?
Woody: Soggy steamed potatoes. There’s a few of us working to turn them into rosemary mashed though so soon it’ll be good good.
Marvin: Fairly strong in the sense that the members of it our passionate and active within themselves, I would say its a small yet fierce group to summarize briefly
Adam: Its rough, incestious, tight knit, well worn, fluid.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Woody: I saw The Drums a few weeks ago. That was really good. It was sorta a “where were you the first time you saw THE DRUMS?!” kinda moment. Such cool crowd interaction, word play and energy. Besides that I’ve never been to a “gig”
Marvin: I think I was 10 or 11 and my parents took me to the SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARD WALK and coincidentally Blue Oyster Cult was performing. They were playing for free on the beach and after they had really long drawn out solos between each of the members of the band after every song. Im not even a huge fan of the band now but looking back I realized that they only had 3 maybe 4 big songs that people knew and they were trying to fill-out a 45 minute set so I commend them for that tenacity
Adam: I saw Shank and Breakfast on tour from Japan, somewhere between 2002 – 03 at the Che Cafe. It was hectic but really got me involved in the DIY scene, politics and art.
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
Woody: Oh god, I’m always doing stuff. I just built a screen printing press so my new thing is that, but I also rock climb, hike, bike, camp. Anything outside and anything to occupy my mind. I get restless if I ‘m sitting still. I don’t like it.
Marvin: Either read books on Neuroscience and cognitive enhancement or thumb through select works of charles bukowski for clever one liners to caption imaginary Instagram pictures with. Im also the full-time store manager of a local Independent Music Instrument store (Instrumental Music Santa Barbara) so when IM not performing or working with different musicians in the area I’m most likely found selling other musicians there much needed cables and accessories or re-stringing their guitars for them!
Adam: I am a visual artist: admjahnke.com, @vocationforver. I also manage a bicycle shop in Goleta, CA.