We’ve probably all had one of those moments where you hear a song for the first time and it just seems to leap out of the speakers and grab you by that touchy-feely place inside your heart.
That happened to me a few weeks ago when I heard “Camera” by Nashville-based RightHandWave.
RightHandWave’s “JP"
Allow me to explain.
On 9/8/21, my new single, “Be Who You Really Want to Be,” got a spin on Chicago FM radio for the Power Pop Shoppe’s “August Raddest Tracks” show (Thanks, again, DJs Gil and BK!) The playlist was bangin’ and I felt fortunate to share the bill with other incredible artists like Guided by Voices and Matt Pond PA, who like me has been around forever (I lived in Philly in the late ‘90s and I remember Matt being around way back then).
Then I heard “Camera,” and honestly it just stood head and shoulders about anything I’ve heard in a long time. The kind of voice I wish I had, similar to Robin Wilson’s from the Gin Blossoms. There’s a warmth, passion, strength and nuance in there, all at once. The guitar playing was sophisticated, but minimalist at the same time—with not one, but two parts driving the song. Put it all together and it’s more powerful than any triple-tracked Marshall stacks. I don’t even understand the music theory behind the songwriting and guitar arrangements… so sophisticated but poppy and radio-friendly at the same time. The recording and production is about as good as it gets.
I had to ask my DJ friends whose song it was that mentions “take your shot” or something and they said “RightHandWave.”
Hm, OK… Time to Google.
Not much on the internet… A few other singles on iTunes… No website…
It all just added to the mystery… Who is this guy? His name should be in lights already.
Eventually, I found “RightHandWave” on Instagram and sent a message. Thus began a correspondence with Nashville-based singer/songwriter JP (aka RightHandWave).
I sent JP a few questions and he was good enough to reply with more details about his music and process. He doesn’t like to talk much about himself, but hopefully the following is enough to let you get to know him a bit and give “Camera” a listen.
This is the kind of song I not only wish I could create, but that I truly feel needs to be heard by as many people as possible. I’ve never written about another indie artist before on my blog (I’m too busy promoting myself), but there’s always a first.
So without further ado, here’s JP, in his words:
So, who is Righthandwave?
I’m originally from Lemoore, a small Central California town best known for Journey frontman Steve Perry and more recently Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch. I’m Currently based in Nashville.
Tell me about your background in music.
I consider myself a “musical work in progress” just trying to write better songs. I came up as a self-taught singer, guitarist and bass player in cover bands, but I’ve always loved songwriting on the side.
How did RightHandWave get started?
RightHandWave is a project I created under a year ago featuring songs I’d written and recorded over the last several years with some talented friends. I’ve always been drawn to jangly/crunchy guitar hooks , catchy melodies and harmonies.
I hear Gin Blossoms, Cheap Trick, Police, Marshall Crenshaw, Jackson Browne, but who would you say are your top influences?
Specific influences are all over the musical map, but I’m currently listening to a lot of Cheap Trick, The Police, Prince and a fairly new female artist, Beabadoobee.
What's your songwriting process?
I usually write on my acoustic and then start working out parts on my electric. My collaborators are instrumental in coming up with the parts they play.
The production on the song is flawless, and very well suited for your unique brand of power pop. Who was this recording, engineering and mixing unicorn?
“Camera” was produced by Matt Mangano (John Mayer, Zac Brown Band ) and his musical handprints are all over that recording.
When can we expect more music from you? We want more.
I hope to have one more song out before the end of year. After that, we’ll see what the future holds!
