In the chaotic stillness of 2020, when the world seemed frozen in place, The Perfect Storm was quietly forming—born not out of spectacle, but necessity. As lockdowns grounded most dreams, James, Matty, and eventually Ethan found themselves pulled back toward music, not as escape, but as salvation. What began as solo sessions and cover jams in upstate New York basements evolved into something unmistakably alive: a rock band built on harmony, vulnerability, and raw, unfiltered truth. With their debut album Maiden Voyage now charting their path forward, The Perfect Storm isn’t just weathering the moment—they’re shaping it.
Let’s rewind to 2020—a global lockdown, isolation, and then the spark of a band. James, Matty—how did a time of such uncertainty lead you to something as defiantly alive and expressive as The Perfect Storm?
Matty
It led me to get back to what I once enjoyed which was making music and by extension playing the drums again.
James
I was recording my solo album titled “Just Me, My Guitar and Harmonica”. I enjoyed doing that but I really missed being in a band. So I called Matty up and we started playing together. At first we were just doing some covers. After a while I called Ethan up and got him to come and jam with us. It felt good to and seemed magical right from the first session. We were doing covers and then recorded a video of Born to Be Wild. A few months later we played out and then decided to record an album.
“Maiden Voyage” is your debut LP, but it’s more than just a title—it’s a statement. What were the emotional waters you were trying to navigate on this record? Were there moments you weren’t sure the ship would sail?
Ethan
“Maiden Voyage” symbolizes our journey into the unknown. We navigated themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. There were moments of doubt, times we questioned our direction. But each challenge reinforced our commitment, turning uncertainty into purpose.
James
The emotional waters we were navigating was the unknown of making an album. Music is emotional and personal. In a band you have to be vulnerable and let each person be able to contribute to the song. I knew the ship would sail it was just a question of when and how far will it go.
Matty
It was stressful but it came together organically and it didn’t feel rushed. We did consciously try to make an album for everyone
You’ve got lyrics that shift from bikinis and beers to heartbreak and self-reckoning. Songs like “Magic Feeling” and “My Woman Never Loved Me” hit that bittersweet nostalgia. How much of your writing is personal truth versus storytelling fiction?
Ethan
Our songs are a tapestry of personal experiences and imaginative narratives. “Magic Feeling” draws from real moments of youthful joy, while “My Woman Never Loved Me” blends truth with playful exaggeration. It’s about capturing emotions, whether lived or envisioned
James
I agree with what Ethan said, it is a tapestry of personal experience and imagination. You never know what is going to inspire you to write something. It could be a moment, a look, a sound, pretty much anything.
Matty
The writing was a little bit of both. Sometimes your personal experiences aren’t relatable or quite frankly interesting but if you can relate to your audience by storytelling, even if wasn’t your story can be significant as well.
The vocal blend between the three of you is a hallmark of your sound—tight harmonies, layered textures. When you’re writing and arranging, how much of that is planned versus what just happens when the three of you are in a room together?
James
It is a combination of planning while writing and just being together in the same room. Lucky Guy was planned.
Ethan
While we have a vision, much of our harmony emerges organically. Being in the same room, bouncing ideas, and feeling the music together often leads to spontaneous moments that define our sound. But I can’t say we also don’t come up with great hits when we are off on our own to share with one another on a later date
Matty
It’s mostly planned based around the person writing the song. The boys usually bring ideas to the table and have specific themes they want to touch on. Then changes will be made on what works, what doesn’t, and just listening to it.
You cover a wide emotional terrain—”The World That’s Cold” is raw and existential, while “Like That” is pure devotion. How do you decide what stories belong on a Perfect Storm record? Is there a line you won’t cross, lyrically?
Ethan
We aim to be authentic, sharing stories that resonate. While we’re open to exploring various themes, we ensure our lyrics remain respectful and genuine. It’s about connecting with listeners without compromising our values.
Matty
I can’t speak for the boyz but if it works it works it shouldn’t matter what the lyrics are.
James
When writing we try to write how we feel or what we are inspired by while writing quality songs that will resonate with people. When deciding what should be on the record we try and ensure that the listeners connect with our music. We want our songs to touch you emotionally and make a difference in your life.
There’s a real retro-modern mix in your sound—echoes of early 2000s alt rock, a splash of Nashville, and a little indie grit. What records or artists shaped your approach going into “Maiden Voyage”, and what are you listening to now that might surprise us?
James
We listen to such an array of music. That far and wide influence comes out in our sound. Groups like The Beatles, Nirvana, Rush, The Rolling Stones, Guns and Roses, Alice Cooper, The Beach Boys, Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen etc… were being listened to constantly. Right now what might surprise people that I listen to is the Chats a group that has a super raw song called Smoko. Matty will not admit it but he loves Sabrina Carpenter.
Matty
Right now I’m listening to Rush (as always). David Bowie, Primus, daft punk, and the Traveling Wiburys
Ethan
Our influences range from Alice Cooper to Coheed and Cambria, to Rush and the Beatles. Lately, I’ve been exploring jazz fusion, and diving deeper into Synthwave and Hairmetal/glam metal, finding inspiration in their complexity and emotion.
You built a loyal following from local gigs, especially at Troy’s Rustic Barn. How did playing live shape your identity as a band—and what was the moment on stage where you realized, this is bigger than the three of us?
Ethan
Performing live allowed us to connect directly with our audience. At one show, during “Song for My Friends,” the crowd sang along, creating a shared experience. That moment underscored the impact of our music beyond ourselves.
Matty
It’s shaping us every time we play out. The point I thought we had something special was the first time we played together in a basement in Schenectady.
James
It has always been bigger than us the way people react and connect with us while playing. When we played the benefit concert for the Panther Park project it was really special not only because our music was making a difference and helping better the community get a skate park but by seeing the impact our music was having on all the adults and children who were singing and dancing along with the music!
Now you’ve got distribution through MTS Records/Virgin/Universal, and national exposure is within reach. But with that comes pressure. How do you stay grounded when the storm you created is about to go global?
James
We realize that it takes a lot of hard work. That nothing is guaranteed. We understand that this is a business of what have you done today so you have to be willing to constantly create, and evolve with the changes in the industry.
Ethan
We focus on our roots, remembering why we started. Regular check-ins, open communication, and mutual support keep us grounded. Success is a journey, and we’re committed to navigating it together.
Matty
I know it’s an old fashioned notion but I think you should never let fame change you. You use fame to have fun and maybe help people out along the way.
