The Perfect Storm has been captivating listeners with their genre-blending sound, merging pop-rock, alt-country vibes, and heartfelt storytelling. Comprised of James, Matty, and Ethan, the band made waves with their breakout single “Lucky Guy” and is preparing to release their upcoming debut album Maiden Voyage. In this exclusive interview, the trio opens up about the inspiration behind their latest single “Magic Feeling,” the stories behind their music, and their journey from pandemic beginnings to a promising 2025. Dive in to discover how these three dynamic musicians are striking the perfect balance between connection, creativity, and ambition.
Your current single, “Magic Feeling,” has been described as capturing moments of connection and wonder. Can you share more about the inspiration behind the song and the creative process of bringing it to life?
James – “Magic Feeling” is a country song. I wrote it on a 12 string guitar and when we recorded it I played a 12 string on the track. The lyrics flowed out really easily and I wrote it in about a half hour. Magic Feeling was one of the first songs recorded and the first song we completed for the album. Ethan and I played a lap steel on the track and Matty laid down a great drum track. We worked harmonies on the chorus and threw in some La La La La’s after the bridge. The song seemed like it was done and then Ethan came up with the lead guitar part that really brings the song to the next level. Ethan and I are constantly challenging each other and elevating each others songs.
Ethan – This song draws inspiration from personal life experiences we’ve faced—moments that resonate with almost everyone. It captures the journey from the excitement of first love to the pain of heartbreak, the search for self-discovery, and ultimately finding your true love to share a life and start a family. The theme reflects a universal experience, which is why the song ends the way it begins—a timeless cycle as old as the human story itself, .
With Maiden Voyage being your debut album, what themes or stories can fans expect to explore through the tracks? How does this album reflect your evolution as a band since forming in 2020?
James – Love, life, friendship are themes throughout the album. Various styles of music on the album reflect who we are as a group and individuals. We are constantly growing and working on new sounds and styles.
Matty – fans can expect a musical emotional journey through life from love to loss. The album reflects the state of our relationships with our significant others and ourselves at the time of its creation. A snapshot
Ethan – The album captures every facet of love or as I like to call it, “The 7 Habits of The Highly Infected Love.” While we didn’t initially plan it this way, it became clear midway through that we were exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to love. In many ways, the album mirrors our growth as a band. Just as love deepens over time with a spouse or family, our respect for the music and for each other has grown throughout this journey of writing and recording together.
Your breakout track “Lucky Guy” reached Number 5 on the National Radio Hits Top 40 chart. How has the success of that song influenced your approach to making music or your expectations for Maiden Voyage?
James – We feel we have an excellent album that is full of unique and exciting music. Songs that should resonate with the masses. We worked hard to make an album of songs that should be listenable for years to come.
Matty – we set out to make quality music period . We set some parameters as far as length of song to be on the radio and fit an album but other than that we haven’t changed our approach. As far as our expectations we always try and set the bar as high as we can musically.
The Perfect Storm has a unique blend of pop rock and alt-country vibes. What are some of your influences, and how do they shape your signature sound?
James – I listen to everything and I study the hits. Whether it’s a Gregorian Chant, Bach’s fugues, Luke Combs or Taylor Swift, I listen to it and embrace it. To write music for the masses and make it catchy, snappy and poppy while having a quality message is not an easy task. My favorite group is the Beatles. I love all their albums but the early stuff is magical with all the harmonies and the song lengths of a few minutes. The Beatles music is still popular today.
Matty – the three of us have different musical influences for sure and I think it shows in the music we made. Some of my musical influences include Iron Maiden, Rush, Pink Floyd, Clutch, JHonny Cash, and the Killers just to name a few.
Ethan – Some of my musical influences include Alice Cooper, Coheed and Cambria, and Clutch. I’m also a huge fan of hair metal, so you’ll notice hints of that 80s vibe woven into the songs we’ve created. A great example of this is Anybody New. We also have a track called My Woman Never Loved Me that features our drummer on vocals. If you’re a fan of Clutch, you’ll catch a bit of their inspiration in the verses of that song. Overall, we draw from a wide range of influences while ensuring our sound remains original and uniquely ours.
Your live performances are often praised for their energy and tight harmonies. How does performing live influence your songwriting, and what can fans look forward to in your upcoming shows?
James – We try and deliver a high energy performance. People come to shows to be entertained, as an escape from the every day pressures. Fans can expect to have fun when they see a Perfect Storm show.
The pandemic sparked the formation of the band. How has that challenging time shaped your perspective as musicians, and how does it resonate in your music today?
James – The biggest thing taken from the pandemic is to not take things for granted and do not be afraid to take chances.
Matty – I actually worked all through the pandemic. I’m in the local 7 plumbers and steam fitters out of Albany. (Shout out to my union brothers) and we were considered essential, so there were some mornings on the highway where there was hardly anyone out. It was pretty surreal. Everybody’s perspective on the pandemic is different for sure but I think it made me feel like we shouldn’t be so selfish when it comes to other people’s health and perspective and what there going through. As far as the music we just want people to forget about their problems for a little while and have a little bit of fun in an unfortunately quite serious and stressful time and world we live in now.
Ethan – Honestly, I don’t think the pandemic hindered us much. At the time, I was working a chaotic job, which made it harder to get together and practice than the pandemic ever did. By the time we decided to record an album, I had left that job and returned to a normal schedule. The pandemic didn’t really change our creative process when it came to the music. If anything, the experience of recording our own album had a bigger impact. It shifted how we viewed our music and how we approach writing now. From start to finish, a lot evolved along the way. I think fans who really listen might pick up on some of the intricacies, which seem to grow more complex as the album progresses.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for 2025? Beyond the release of Maiden Voyage, are there any tours, collaborations, or new projects in the works that fans should keep an eye out for?
James – 2025 is a year that we hope we make big strides and take things to the next level. Fans keep an eye out for our debut album released and more!
