Music LIfe Now had a chance to catch up with Tim Montalvo the lead singer and songwriter from the Central Jersey band “Wake Up Paradise”. The band just released a new single “Fever” that is streaming now. (links at the end of this review)
- Tim, how did this all start for you? Well the band itself started back in 2013. We made 2 EPs together. After I left the band in 2015, they made an EP with a different singer. But, the band has been on hiatus since then, up until 2020. Ironically it probably started back up again because of the pandemic lockdown. I was unemployed, so I had plenty of time on my hands. We’ve all always loved music and have played together in different bands at different stages so it just kind of naturally fell into place during an unnatural time.
- “Fever” has a strong pop-punk sound. What are some of your musical influences? Funny you say that because I don’t really listen to pop punk that much. For this song specifically I was just trying to write something catchy and fun for people to sing along to. Then again, putting “mother fucker” in the chorus is rather punk. I guess it is a pop punk song lol. More generally though, I listen to a lot of Dance Gavin Dance, Don Broco, Billy Joel, and anything from the 80’s.
- Can you tell us a little more about the band members? Well Sal and Roger are the only other original members, besides myself. Sal rips those sweet jazz guitar licks and is quick with a dad joke. Roger has drummed in almost every band I’ve ever been in and has four cats. Max and Dann are the newest editions to the band. Max is the smoothest bassist you’ve ever heard and is where the band gets its soul. Dann has beautiful long hair and took a vow of silence, so his guitar does all the talking now.
- The new single has a great sound. Where did you record? I recorded vocals at Audio Pilot Studios with Rob Freeman. I have recorded with him for years and we have a great collaborative relationship. The boys tracked all their instruments at Architekt studio with Shane Stanton , now of Glower Studio. Great guy. Meticulous, in a good way.
- Did you have a producer or is this self-produced? I sometimes lean on Rob when it comes to harmonies and background vocal ideas. Shane also assisted with producing at times. He was very good about helping us express our ideas, Roger and I gave him insight on the vocal and drum effects but he made it happen.
- Your vocals are so emotional. Is it hard to share so much when singing? Lyrically, I try not to write too specifically. I want the most people possible to be able to relate to the lyrics so I try not to tell the listener what the song is about. It’s better for the listener to put their own POV on the lyrics. “Fever” is a special case because it actually is about something specific. Technically, it’s about COVID, even though I didn’t get COVID until after I wrote it. But, lots of things/people/situations give you a fever or make your hands shake or make you lose your breath, so there’s still that interpretation factor that still can be tapped into by the listener. As far as actually singing emotionally, I mean, that’s the only way I know how to do it. I can’t expect people to feel the song if I’m not singing like I feel the song.
- “Fever” also features some savage drumming and guitars. How did that element of the song come together? “Fever” started when Sal brought us the riff- the one dude in the band who listens to almost zero pop punk haha. At the time, Roger was listening to a lot of drum & bass stuff and wanted to drive that vibe in the verses. We’ve all had some kind of rock/metal background so that explains the other parts I guess. The rest is Max just pounding it home and Dann doing what he would call “tricks and bullshit” with an e-bow lol.
- Any upcoming shows where fans can come experience the band live? We would love to get back out at some point but for now the creative juices are flowing and we are more just hell-bent on getting all the ideas out of our heads and and perfected and recorded. Hopefully, that will build some demand then we can supply some live performances.
- What is it about music that makes you want to continue creating and sharing your art? Most of my childhood memories are tied to music in some way. Music doesn’t need to be translated, for the most part. It’s one language that everybody speaks. My Dad sang us to sleep when we were kids. I wake up already singing a song in my head. Creating a song with other people is insane. The actual moment when a beat, a riff and a melody actually collide at the same time during a jam session is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It sounds so pretentious and artsy whatever, but when everyone in the band starts changing the beat and going into transitions without having to say anything to each other it is like a school of fish thing. Everyone just knows where we’re going and when. It’s a pure and honest -wholesome even, form of networking. You’re taking this substance that can connect the most random fucking group of people ever together and creating love and energy in a room through this one art piece you all had a hand in creating. The whole process from the fuck around jams to hearing it mastered months later is like we all just birthed a kid together or something lmao music is by far the Best. Drug. Ever.
- Anything you’d like to say to your fans? Saying fans still sounds funny to me haha. We’re not delusional, we’re mid-30s dudes doing this for the love of music, creating, and seeing our friends. It’s of course always way better when other people enjoy what you’ve created so to who, if anyone that does, thank you so much for sharing a common joy with us. I think more than anything We want to make keepsakes for years to come: to show our kids, to reminisce about, to enjoy listening to on our ride to work, all while being fortunate enough to still have our guys night once a week. Anything beyond that is an added bonus.