Low Tide Levee is the funky psychedelic and alternative rock group based out of Berkeley, CA from the musical brain of singer/songwriter, drummer, and former marine biologist Amy Brookes. “The name Low Tide Levee speaks to me on a lot of levels: I do love marine biology, I am a diver, and I am passionate about ocean conservation,” she says. “The analogy of low tide symbolizing revealing things in our unconscious and subconscious is powerful for me. I am always drawn to looking at the strange and gross things after a low tide. Exploring those things metaphorically in our minds can be healing and powerful.”
On the verge of releasing their debut album, they just shared their progressive psychedelic rock song “Rules of the Game.” The band is unafraid to play with the tempo and sounds throughout the song.
We interview Amy Brookes of Low Tide Levee about their upcoming project, their music, her career, and what inspires her.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
What can you share with readers about your new project?
This album is a long-time dream come true. It required countless hours of work, but the outcome was in line with my original vision. My band members, producer and I are thrilled with what we’ve created! Each song has a unique feel and personality, and yet, the songs flow together as if the listener is being led on a journey through the different lands and worlds of the interior landscape.
How does this project compare with your other projects you had in the past?
I recorded an album with the band I had with our bass player (and my husband!) a number of years ago, but the songs were far less complex. For this project, we took a more thorough and nuanced approach to achieve the kind of sound we wanted, which combines both a nod to the past with a classic rock analog sound, and contemporary brushstrokes to reflect the original and fresh sounds of the songs.
What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
The overall sound and effect of the music, sounding big, bold, and hard-hitting at times, and delicate and ethereal at others, was tricky to achieve and I’m very proud of what we achieved in this regard. My biggest goal was to do justice to my creative vision for the songs, and wind up with something that could be a valuable, powerful, and unique contribution to the current musical landscape.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
Life inspires me, but I also feel that I need to do it, it just wants to come through me. I love the creative process and find that I’m the most myself when I’m in it, so that is plenty of motivation to keep going!
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
Oh, definitely Jimmy Page! Led Zeppelin was my first favorite band after I was converted in high school, and it still is – it’s fair to say I’m obsessed and I am a total nerd about it. I went to a Led Zeppelin convention in Niagara Falls, NY when I was 19, nuff said! Jimmy is the ultimate creative force and visionary behind Led Zeppelin, and in an ideal fantasy, we would be the perfect writing partners.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
“You’re No Good” by ESG.
Led Zeppelin, Parliament Funkadelic, Eddie Hazel, Pink Floyd, Betty Davis, Terry Kath-era Chicago, Billie Holiday, Willie Dixon, The Meters, James Brown, Fred Wesley
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
Join us in our email newsletter (www.lowtidelevee.com/join) or on socials (try instagram.com/lowtidelevee). We’d love to hear from you!
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to have this interview with you!
We just released our third single, “Rules of the Game” – a funky tune with a lot of humor and fun, and underneath all of that a major realization about the games and the rules by which we humans think we have to play once we’re part of society.
