Pure Bathing Culture - Between spirituality and nostalgia

Pure Bathing Culture, the American dream-pop duo, released their debut album “Moon Tides” just a few days ago, and we're sure it will win over plenty of listeners with its magic touch. Having had the chance to preview it, we put together a few questions, which we sent via email to Daniel Hindman and his partner (in life and in the band) Sarah Versprille.

Hi guys, how are you? Where are you writing to us from?

Hi! We're doing great! We're writing to you from Portland, OR.

I'll start with a simple, somewhat obvious question: what's the meaning behind your name?

Dan's brother was studying abroad in Switzerland for a master's degree in architecture. He told Dan about an experience he'd had there, at the Therme Vals Spa. He'd spent a day at the spa moving through various pools, and the last part of the day was called “Bathing Culture Pure” (translated from German). That last part involved moving between different pools in complete silence. So we drew inspiration from the spirituality and aesthetics of "bathing culture" in general, and the places where it happens. The name also means something more to us than this simple explanation, of course, but it's a bit hard to put into words.

Just a few days until your debut album comes out: can you tell us how you're feeling right now?

We're really excited to finally put the record out, and also to be able to tour and play our music live.

From the EP to this album, did you change the way you write your music?

Not really. The EP and the album really belong to the same "conceptual era". The next record, though, will be different: it will definitely be the start of something new.

How important was Richard Swift's contribution?

Among the many positive things Richard brought to the record, to find what's probably the most significant one for us you have to look back a bit at the writing process. Richard was always the person ready to tell us what was musically right to do, which could sometimes feel a bit strange or awkward for us, but it actually turned out fine and really valuable, and it truly was what we needed. It might sound simplistic, but it was incredibly important and inspiring for us throughout the writing and recording process, and I think it's a sign of how spot-on his instincts were.

Did you play all the instruments yourselves, or did friends and collaborators help you out?

No, we played everything ourselves.

I imagine the move from NY to Portland affected your life, but also your music. Am I wrong? Where do you draw inspiration for your music from?

It's true. We found ourselves with a lot more space and time to work and be creative here in Portland. Inspiration comes from all sorts of ideas: personal relationships with family and friends, nature and our environment, mysticism, the zodiac, spirituality…

Could the recipe for your music be summed up as a mix of 80s nostalgia, synth-pop, pop melodies, spirituality and humanity?

That sounds like an accurate definition for us!

Do you agree with me that new details emerge with every listen?

Thank you! We really hope our songs have that quality.

“Pendolum” as a single was a great choice: a perfect calling card!

Thank you so much! Just think, this was actually the first song we wrote and recorded for our record.

I'm in love with “Twins”: it's definitely pop, but there's something about it that fills me with melancholy.

Thank you again, so much. The message of the song is about the desire to transcend or transform, to be with the person you love, or simply to be where you need to be, or again, to become whatever you need to become to reach your full potential. A story that illustrates this in a truly wonderful and inspiring way is the myth of Castor and Pollux, twin brothers in mythology, transformed into the constellation Gemini so they could stay together forever.

On the last song of the album, Sarah's voice is truly angelic: was it a difficult track to sing?

Thank you! Look, I have to confess that it was actually one of the most fun songs to sing.

Thanks again for this interview. I read that you really like Phil Collins, so I'd like to ask you which Phil Collins song could be the closing theme for this interview.

Thank you! We'll pick a Genesis song with Phil on vocals, namely “Follow You Follow Me”.

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