INTERVIEW: Leave the Wave
Cypriot heavy-rock outfit Leave the Wave open up about their origins, influences, creative process, and the challenges of carving out space in today’s music landscape. In this interview, the band share the stories behind their name, the evolution of their sound, and the moments—chaotic and triumphant—that have shaped their journey so far.
What inspired you to form the band, and how did you come up with your band name?
We got inspired by our love of music and our passion for playing!
Our band name is inspired by a Cypriot comedy audio story called ‘Giakoumis o Krikos.’ It’s a phrase from the story, and it doesn’t have a deep meaning, but we like it.
How would you describe your sound to someone who's never heard your music before?
Our music blends grunge rock with modern heavy-rock elements, featuring heavy riffs and screamed vocals.
Which bands or musicians have had the biggest influence on your music and style?
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do your ideas come together?
We draw a lot of inspiration from ’90s and ’00s rock bands such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Audioslave.
Our songs are written during band rehearsals, or someone comes in with an idea, or we create them while jamming.
What has been the most memorable moment or experience during your tours or live shows?
One of our very first live shows was like a nightmare. The drum kit fell down about 10 meters while we were setting up the stage, and after that, when we were finally ready to play, the audio console didn’t work for about 15 minutes.
How do you balance keeping your music fresh while staying true to your original sound?
We don’t really think about it. We just write music — it comes out naturally.
What challenges do you face as a band in the modern music industry, especially with streaming services?
To be spotted! Nowadays, it’s easy for anyone to publish their music, but much harder to actually get people’s attention.
Is there a particular theme or message you aim to convey through your latest album?
What’s your favorite song to perform live, and why?
We are trying to send a message of awareness. Sometimes, a lot is happening around us, but as a society we close our eyes to it.
Our favourite song to play live is ‘Figure It Out.’ It’s the heaviest song on the album (also the most underrated), full of energy, and it’s always the last song of our shows.
How do you see the evolution of rock and metal music, and where do you think it's headed in the future?
The future of rock and metal music is bright. More and more people are listening and going to see live bands these days. It’s not the number one genre today, but we believe it will be in the future. ROCK ’N’ ROLL CAN NEVER DIE!
Links
https://www.leavethewave.com
https://www.youtube.com/@leavethewave
https://www.facebook.com/LeaveTheWave
https://www.instagram.com/leavethewave
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pQ9arJ9dzzcn9Gn7qH9Ma/discography
