We got the opportunity to ask Wendy and Paul from The Undercurrent a few questions about their time making music! Also got to find out that they are Undercurrent and not UndercurrentS. Was it just me making that mistake? Yes? Okay.

When did The Undercurrent start making music & playing live shows?

Wendy and Paul started writing music together in 2015. After writing several songs, releasing their first single and video (Waves, 2017), and performing some acoustic events as a duo, we added some very talented musicians to form a 5-piece performing band (Jack Sundquist on bass, Dave Hilbert on rhythm guitar, and Chris Kelly on drums). We played our first show as a full band in 2018 at Hotel Utah, and have subsequently performed at The Independent, Rickshaw Stop, Bottom of the Hill, and Starline Social Club, among others.


How did you go about choosing your band name?

This was actually quite challenging, as we wanted something that truly captured the vibe and dynamic of the band. After brainstorming ideas for months, none felt exactly right, until Wendy came up with The Undercurrent, and we immediately knew it was the one.

As the name suggests, despite our often contrary musical tastes and preferences, an underlying force allows us to create our best work in the in-between space. We also tend to utilize a lot of nautical themes in our songs.

Watching Wendy perform with all her heart is truly a pleasure. The first time I met her was right before The Undercurrent's first outdoor show. She was a walking talking ray on sunshine with a glittering smile. Then she went on and sang with everything in her heart. From moody melodies and Amy Winehouse covers to songs that had everyone dancing, this woman contains multitudes.

What was your creative process leading up to the making of your “know what’s good” music video?

We first reflected on the lyrical meaning and energy of “Know What’s Good”, and decided we wanted to create something that was visually engaging, edgy, and moody. We liked the idea of representing the story arc of encountering a difficult challenge and experiencing the eventual resolution by shooting during the day, dusk, and night, and also including opposing elements, such as fire and water. The concept of pushing forward was also very important throughout, which is why each chorus showcases a series of match cuts. We worked very closely with our videographer partner, Andrew Finch, to strategize how to best artistically capture our song.

Tactically speaking, we brainstormed general ideas for scenes and locations, and took rough test shots on an iPhone to try out concepts. We then planned out shooting days for the various scenes and specific sections of the song we wanted to capture -- in this music video, we filmed at 13 different locations! Since everything we shot was DIY, we also had to experiment with special effects and practical shots, like Wendy holding the flame in her palm and a bird’s eye shot of her falling into a pool.

We started this process with a strong vision, but made sure to leave room for improvisation. The distinct settings, engaging film effects, and organic conversations we had during the entire process, allowed us to create a video much more expansive and inspired than we could have imagined.

A band that can improvise, adapt, and overcome? I'm so here for it.

What genre would you categorize The Undercurrent? Pop, alternative, a mix?

Our music definitely blends a few different genres. Our first album “In Between” was a mix of indie pop, rock, and soul that has a distinctly California vibe. Our upcoming sophomore album has more of an indie electronic and synth pop sound, which we’re really excited to release.

Wendy, we have had the pleasure of meeting your family! What is it like having your family present at every performance? How does this affect the way you perform?

Wendy:

My family have always been our biggest supporters and I’m so grateful to them for encouraging me to sing, write, and play music. Every show they can attend they will— whether it’s a dingy dive bar or esteemed venue (or block party!)— they’re there cheering us on, singing along, and hanging out with my friends. It certainly has a positive impact on my performances because I get energy and inspiration from being able to share these invaluable moments with them.

You can catch The Undercurrent on Friday March 24 at Amado's and April 15 at The Independent. Follow The Undercurrent on instagram to get tickets and to keep up with all their adventures!