Even after being in the music industry for years, things can take off drastically after meeting the right collaborator. There is musical magic out there when certain individuals meet and start creating together. The music can take on a life of its own as the art is expressed without reservations. Our recent discovery The Shipping Company is a great example of this.
We caught up with musician Luke William to get a little deeper into the music and his partner LM. Enjoy the interview:
First off, how did the name The Shipping Company come to be?
Naming a band is a funny thing. You want it to be memorable, unique, to the point but also ambiguous enough for people to create a connection with it. This project started as a solo thing. I had written a few folk-rock songs that I was super proud of and the initial recording sounded so good. So I started coming up with names that had that Americana, roots, classic vibe. The one I landed on was The William Brothers Shipping Co. A little long, right? Once LM joined the band they had the brilliant idea to drop the William Brothers. I loved it and it put LM’s style on the band right away. The Shipping Co. was born.
How would you describe the band’s sound?
I was just talking to a British magazine about this very thing. I always describe it differently every time. But our sound is a shape shifter. We rise to the lyrics LM writes. We create a supporting instrumental that sonically fits into the spaces the lyrics leave us. Whatever style a song takes you can always tell its us because we are honest in our expression of art. That always shines through.
Which artists have had the biggest influence on The Shipping Company?
Ok I think LM will agree with me on this. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a big influence on this band. The Band is a big one as well. I never get enough of Levon. Alanis Morissette is mixed in there and Albert King has his influence all over this record for me. The solo on Bloodmoon is just me trying to be Albert.
We hear you have a new song coming out on June 30th. Tell us about it.
I am so excited about this song. Cracks has energy, style, substance and a kickass guitar part. LM has an amazing way of crafting songs. It is completely their own. The pacing, style, and lyrical creativity is on full displaying on Cracks. I love the guitar part and the structure of the song is so punk rock. It’s super creative. I also have to say that Alyssa Wilkens played a huge part in bringing this song to life. Alyssa is an LA based producer that LM found on Instagram I do believe. Alyssa got us right way. It was such a smooth, creatively inspiring process. It really showed me how important a producer is to the creative process.
What do you hope the listener takes away from “Cracks”?
The connection LM and I have creatively doesn’t happen often. Our understanding of one another’s style, musical strengths, and the willingness to blend these things is rare. To vastly different artist using that friction to create something new. So, I want listeners to feel the way I felt when I first heard LM sing the chorus in the booth. That electric feeling, like something is about to happen. Something new and exciting.
How does a song come together for The Shipping Company?
What is the songwriting process? It almost always starts with LM writing some lyrics and maybe a bass part. LM would bring me a demo of it, most of the time we use logic pro. That is when I start to fill in the song. Building the layers that will become the bedrock of the tune. Once I get close to having the song ready for a rough mix. I get LM to sing again with more flushed out lyrics. Then we rough mix the track. Maybe compose a small part to fill it a part here and there if needed. Thats when it goes to the producer and Alyssa crushes it, puts the song into focus for us. Then its final mix and master,
Share some advice with other artists combining different styles?
Don’t be afraid of compromise. Remember what you are there for. To blend styles not stand out. Fight the need to be the center of the song, play what the song needs not what you think you need. If everyone is there to give for the betterment of the song it’s the best creative atmosphere around. But you have to keep that in the forefront of your mind. Grace and kindness goes a long way.
What does the future hold for The Shipping Company?
So much fun stuff. The beautiful thing about the Shipping Company is that it’s evolving and growing all the time. The next Shipping Co album will be vastly different than this one because we are not those people anymore. We are constantly finding new ways to create and grow as artist. There are more shows, bigger songs, better records and more expressions of honest art coming for this group.
