Today, we sat with Gus from The Riptide Rats to discuss their inspiration to write music, heroes, and much more! Be sure to follow The Riptide Rats on social media and check out their music on Spotify below after the interview!
Interview:
What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your surroundings?
It usually starts with a melody popping into my head out of nowhere, or I just sit down, pick up the guitar, and decide it’s time to write a new song. It’s not mystical, just about catching the moment and record that memo for later.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
I grew up on hard rock and punk — Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Minor Threat. Then in my early teens I stumbled onto The Ventures, got hooked on instrumental music, and picked up the guitar like 1 millon other guys did back in the days.
Is there someone you looked up to as a hero?
When I was a teenager learning guitar, Eddie Angel was a big influence, that rock’n’roll surfabilly style. Also Nokie Edwards from The Ventures and Dave Wronski from Slacktone. All very different players, but all living in that instrumental/surf world that shaped me.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing today?
Honestly, life would be pretty colorless without music, wouldn’t it? Well probably producing other bands then.
What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create music?
Just start. Don’t wait for the “right moment.” Play, record, experiment, make mistakes, and keep going. The sound comes from doing, not overthinking. And practice your instrument everyday, especially when you are young.
Band members:
- Gustav Vilhelmsson – Guitar
- Fredrik Wallgren – Drums
- Jocke Olsson – Bass
Official links:
- Website: riptiderats.com
- Spotify: The Riptide Rats on Spotify
- YouTube: The Riptide Rats YouTube Channel
- Instagram: @theriptiderats
- Bandcamp + Merch: theriptiderats.bandcamp.com
Music:
