Lead singer The Rave from New York City alt rock act Spells and Curses are diving deep with a ton of new music on board. The band blends lead singer The Rave’s soulful voice with a light rock flair that embodies the smooth alternative sounds of what is Spells and Curses.
I talked to lead singer The Rave about his soulful voice, his writing and recording process that make up Spells and Curses, and what the future holds.
How did the band get together initially?
Initially Spells and Curses didn’t start off as a band. It was me having a lot of things on my mind and was going through a tumultuous time. I was always in a band and at live shows here especially on the New York City rock scene. The things I wanted to express and the things I was going through in life were so personal, I didn’t want to say in front of people. I got my own recording gear and emailed some of my songs to my friends. It was serious material and my friends were like you have to release it. I put it out on SoundCloud and Band Camp. I’d get emails from others asking if I had a band and met with some people and then we recorded and did shows.
It took a good two years writing the songs, auditioning, and releasing the songs. Our first show was at Pete’s Candy Store.
You release new music every two months!
It really started during Covid. You process and express yourself through your art. I didn’t feel the motivation to do anything at the time. Once things started easing up, I started getting into the groove of things. Before I knew it, I had at least five album written. It was a back up of inspiration, really. Momentum is like a crank. I wanted to keep it going. The biggest fear is not recording that back log. I think I am the only indie artist that will have each track off the double album with lyric videos and a visual videos together at once.
Speaking of your music videos—-the cinematography is crisp and the videos are breathtaking.
Honestly, because I had a two month window and I could not be in all of them. If you find other directors to collaborate with especially from abroad and trust their vision and tell them you love their work it all happens. Many of them would come up with treatments and they were all different for each song.
Your vocals sound like John Mayer’s.
My voice is generally high when I sing. It’s a vocal range between a male and a female. I think Brandon Boyd of Incubus has the same deal going on. I hated my voice when I first started recording. It took me a while to take me a place where I felt comfortable. I added some husk to it and it brought me to this middle ground like John Mayer’s. He’s a fantastic vocalist and love when I get the comparison.
“Scary Movies” is your current single. Tell me more about it.
It’s essentially about breaking up and missing somebody and can’t stop thinking about them. Going on and stalking their socials and going crazy after a break up.
Will you be headed on tour soon?
We were very much like road dogs when the band first started. I enjoy touring when I see where I am playing. It was a grind. I started a solo tour following Covid. It is an acoustic tour. I like to take in the city where I am playing too. My first tour in Europe is coming up.
What’s it like being in a rock band in New York City especially when rock is not in vogue anymore?
That’s a good question. I don’t know. I think rock has always been the red headed step child if you will. The artist of any genre that is not mainstream, you don’t do it to get into mainstream you do it because you have something to say. While I do rock and alt rock is my base I have experienced with other styles and sounds too. I have songs that are EDM/pop/rock. The next material is a pivot and is influenced by 80s George Michael!
