Rotate Talk With Shape Of Water – ‘Blinding Lights’ Interview

We Had the opportunity to interview Shape of Water, a band known for their boundary-pushing creativity and cinematic approach to music, about their latest single—a captivating cover of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” In our conversation, they shared insights into their unique sound, the inspiration behind this reimagined track, and how it aligns with their upcoming projects. Shape of Water also reflected on their artistic journey, their approach to storytelling through music, and what lies ahead for 2025.

NB: For Readership purposes, the acronyms RM and SoW stand for Rotate Magazine and Shape of Water respectively

Let’s delve into the interview below;

RM: First of all, who is Shape Of Water?

SoW: Shape Of Water is more than a band. We are a creative project that refuses to be confined by rules or boundaries. Our music is a cinematic journey through sound, blending genres, emotions, and ideas in ways that want to surprise and inspire. We are storytellers at heart, weaving tales of passion, longing, and introspection into every note and lyric. Whether it’s through heavy guitars or ethereal melodies, we aim to create an experience that connects deeply with our audience. For us, music is an exploration of the infinite, and we’re here to take listeners on that adventure with us.

RM: What inspired you to cover “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd?

SoW: The themes and vibes of Blinding Lights immediately resonated with the direction of our new music and upcoming album. It’s a song that balances modernity with a retro edge, and we felt it was the perfect canvas to reimagine in our own style. Beyond that, it’s simply a great track: catchy, emotive, and timeless. And we definitely loved the challenge of putting our unique spin on it while trying to stay true to its essence.

RM: Can you walk us through the creative process of reimagining “Blinding Lights”? What were some of the key elements you focused on to make it your own?

We wanted to retain the emotional core of the song while adding the signature Shape Of Water touch. We sped up the tempo slightly, transforming it into something reminiscent of an early 2000s emo anthem with a lot of synths. However, our synths aren’t as heavy as in the original, allowing the guitars and vocals to take center stage. It was about creating a sound that feels energetic and nostalgic while still delivering the emotional depth of the original track.

RM: The original lyrics of “Blinding Lights” convey themes of longing and connection. How did you approach these themes in your version of the song?

SoW: For us, the themes of longing and connection in Blinding Lights are universal and deeply emotional, so we wanted to bring our own interpretation to the table. We gave the song a sense of urgency, almost like a heartbeat racing. It’s as if the longing in the lyrics is heightened, more desperate, and that really resonated with us. The layered synths, combined with the guitars and vocals, let us dive into the vulnerability of the track while still making it feel dynamic and fresh. We wanted listeners to feel like they were running through the night alongside us, chasing that connection.

RM: How has the reception for your cover been so far? Have you received any feedback from fans or critics?

SoW: The reception has been amazing! Fans have reached out to tell us how much they’ve enjoyed our version, and some have even said they prefer it to the original, which is just mind-blowing to hear. Critics have also appreciated the energy and emotion we brought to the track. It’s been really rewarding to see how people connect with it and recognize the effort we put into making it our own.

RM: You mentioned that this cover aligns seamlessly with the direction of your new music. Can you elaborate on how “Blinding Lights” fits into the broader context of your upcoming projects?

SoW: Definitely! The vibe of Blinding Lights, with its mix of modern and nostalgic elements, reflects a lot of what we’re exploring in our new album. While the song itself won’t be on the album, its themes and emotional tone are very much in line with the stories we’re telling. Even the lyrics seem to echo some of the ideas we’re working with, which made it feel like a natural fit for us to cover.

RM: Did you collaborate with any other musicians or producers on this track? If so, how did their input shape the final sound?

SoW: No collaborations on this one—it was all us! We really wanted to take on the challenge of reimagining this track ourselves, and it’s been great to see how our individual strengths came together to create something unique. From the vocal delivery to the instrumentation, we each brought our own ideas to the table, and that’s what shaped the final sound.

RM: On a personal level, what does this song mean to you both? How does it resonate with your experiences or emotions as artists?

SoW: It’s just one of those songs that hits you emotionally every time you hear it. For us, it’s about the push and pull of human connection, and that’s something we’ve all felt at some point. As artists, we’re always trying to connect with people through our music, so this song feels like a reflection of that journey. It’s emotional, a little vulnerable, but also incredibly powerful, and that’s what makes it so special to us.

RM: After covering “Blinding Lights,” do you have plans to reinterpret any other songs?

SoW: Absolutely! 2024 has been a year full of covers for us. Aside from Blinding Lights, we also reimagined Russians by Sting, and for the first time ever, we sang in Italian with our cover of Amandoti by CCCP. It’s been exciting to put our stamp on these tracks and share them with our audience. Who knows what’s next? We’re always open to experimenting with songs that inspire us.

RM: What’s next for Shape Of Water? Can we expect live performances, new collaborations, or other projects in the near future?

SoW: Oh, there’s so much in store for 2025! We’ve got new music on the way, and we’re already planning a ton of live shows. We’re also working on some exciting collaborations that we can’t wait to share with everyone. Stay tuned, it’s going to be a big year for Shape Of Water!

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