Can you share your musical journey with us, from when you first discovered your passion for music to where you are today as an independent musician?
My wife Jenna and I (Daniel Watters) first sang together at our highschool graduation! We sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” We felt a spark and started play shows here and there the next four years. In 2009 we moved to Denver together to start a band and fell in love shortly after that! After five years of cutting our teeth in the Rocky Mountains, we moved to Nashville to try it out. However we did not vibe with it and left after only a year. We stopped in Austin on our way back to Arizona and fell in love with it and moved here in 2015, when we officially became “The Watters.” That’s what we’ve been doing ever since.
What motivates you to create music, and how do you stay inspired to continue making new and unique music?
Performing in front of a raucous crowd is just about the most fun thing there is. Writing songs is like a puzzle to my mind, and I very much enjoy the process of finding out what each song is going to mean. Being able to write a song that makes people raucous is bonus points!
As an independent musician, you wear many hats – from composing to marketing. How do you balance these different aspects of your career, and what challenges do you face in the process?
I tend to go through phases of the process at a time. I have trouble writing music when I’m producing one of our albums so things come in seasons. Fortunately I am able to use both sides of my brain effectively, so I can work business and art fairly simultaneously.
Could you tell us about your creative process? How do you come up with new ideas for songs, and how do you go about turning those ideas into finished tracks?
Things usually start with a groove or melody that comes to me while I’m driving or moving around. I hum or whistle them into my phone, I have hundreds of ideas from over the years. From there, I usually start with whatever came naturally (a word or phrase) to me and see if I can make sense of it. That is usually the most effective method, but if i get stuck, I will reference old ideas that I never finished and see if I can draw from that. Having a word bank to choose from usually helps inspire new ideas.
Independent musicians often face financial challenges. How do you manage your finances to sustain your music career while also covering your personal expenses?
I’ve always worked a second job to help support my music addiction. We are very fortunate to have a community that helps us finance our recording project.
Can you share a particularly memorable or challenging experience from your journey as a musician that has had a significant impact on your career and personal growth?
Our time in Nashville in 2013 was particularly challenging. It felt very congested and we have to work tough jobs to survive. It was quite soul crushing and we ended up leaving and dimemberint that band (The Oak Creek Band). We did however find out sound while we were there and when we got to Austin, we have our sound and vibe ready for the people.
With the rise of digital platforms, the music industry has changed significantly. How do you navigate the digital landscape, including streaming services and social media, to promote your music and connect with your audience?
I wish i knew.
Collaboration is a key part of the music industry. Have you worked with other musicians or producers, and how have these collaborations influenced your sound and career?
We let Daniel Creamer, who plays piano with Shakey Graves and is a member of the Texas Gentlemen produce our most recent album. It was the first time i let someone else produce us and it was very helpful to have him guide us in the studio. He had us do things I never would have thought of.
Your music likely reflects your unique style and perspective. Could you describe your musical identity and what makes your sound stand out in a crowded industry?
We have a very unique blend of Soul, Americana, Jazz and Indie. It’s hard to describe and doesn’t really fit into any particular genre, which makes it hard for us sometimes. However I think it is also one of our strengths. Our songwriting and Jenna’s voice are the things that really make us stand out though.
What role does live performance play in your music career, and how do you approach planning and executing your live shows, especially in light of recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic?
Austin is the live music capitol of the world, so performing is part of our life blood. We were fortunate to have outdoor venues to play during the pandemic and we were one of the only bands playing in the entire world during the summer of 2020.
Many fans are interested in the stories behind the songs. Could you share the backstory or inspiration behind one of your recent tracks that holds special meaning to you?
The song “Duality” was conceived in 2009, the same year that Jenna and Daniel Watters began to write and perform professionally as a duo. Then, they were equally interested in folk and electronic music and in an effort to merge the two genres, Daniel created an electronic beat that was ultimately tucked away in his laptop as the duo decided to pivot to a more rootsy, folk-rock sound. But, that beat remained fresh to their ears for years, and the two kept trying to find a use for it through all their musical and personal evolutions, including three full-length albums, living in four different cities, and getting married and having a son. While writing for their 2021 album Intuition, Jenna had a stream of consciousness experience while driving home and recorded her singing some words and melody on her phone over the beat. Flash forward to early 2023, when The Watters were preparing to record once again and gave producer Daniel Creamer a grouping of the music they’d been working on. Despite having no vocals on it, Creamer loved the “Duality” beat and wanted to pursue it, so the Watters finished the lyrics Jenna had envisioned with help from Creamer on the arrangement.
Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations as an independent musician? Are there any upcoming projects or exciting developments in your career that you’d like to share with your fans and the audience?
Our goals are the same as they always have been; to create timeless art that we ourselves enjoy and that soothes our soul.
