Soundpool
a high better than ganja
by Becky Firesheets
Soundpool’s heavily layered, dreamy tunes conjure up images of a queen soaring on a throne made of clouds, singing while her smiling band mates float beside her. Vocalist Kim Field’s pure, angelic voice ranges from sexy, deeper notes to high-pitched melodies that mirror her keyboard playing. Active yet appropriately subtle, drummer James Renard works with the bassist to form a tight rhythm section, creating an urgent, driving groove. The nonstop, ethereal synths compliment the angular, sometimes haunting guitar, which recalls the sounds of 70s psychedelia, 80s pop and 90s shoegaze. Soundpool’s supremely pleasing music leaves listeners with a euphoric high that’s only heightened in their dynamic live performances.
On your myspace page, the genre “shoegaze” is mentioned often. Do you guys write with a sound goal in mind?
Ceparano: The sound happens organically. It just started evolving more and we were getting a lot of attention from shoegazers. But we have multiple labels. Mark and James both have huge 80’s influences. Depeche Mode and Morrisey especially. We also like bossanova and Stereolab. We’re not going for one particular thing, but more of a collective collaboration. We make stuff up and then label it because we have to.
Why music, and Soundpool?
Ceparano: I love being in a band because it’s the ultimate creative outlet. With Soundpool, we have autonomy over everything. It’s nice having no director.
Renard: My older brother’s into music. When I was young, I used to hang around and watch him play. One day I just decided I could do the drumming. Then I found Soundpool on Craigslist...
Robinson: My dad and brother are musicians, too. I was shy as a child, but performing helped me get over that. Now I enjoy all the levels of it—performing and the creative process.
Field: My joining was kind of accidental. John and I were together for years when he started writing some material for a female singer. He asked me to try a harmony so I did, and he was like, “Oh my God, you can sing!” I kind of begrudgingly kept going, but also wanted to. I had fun learning how to write, but performing is still freaky. It gets easier though!
this originally appeared in the print version of The Deli mag a few months ago but made it onto their website today.
