SHALLOW SIDE – AN INTERVIEW WITH ERIC BOATRIGHT

SHALLOW SIDE – AN INTERVIEW WITH ERIC BOATRIGHT

By Ralph Beauchamp

Eric Boatright is the explosive lead singer Shallow side. The group consists of Boatright, Heath Fields (Drums/Backing Vocals), Codey Red (Guitar/Backing Vocals) and Sam Bower (Bass/Backing Vocals). The AL-based band is tearing up the hard rock charts and destroying the airwaves with their new single, “Filters” featuring a collaboration with promoter Elias Soriano of Nonpoint. Of Shallow sideIt's his first collaboration and the song is a wild jingle that delivers crushing vocals, cheeky guitar riffs and a Soriano super weapon. “Filters” is from their upcoming new album, Reflections out 7/19 via Thermal Entertainment.

“Filters” is the follow-up to “You're The Reason” which was released in 2023 and brought Shallow side more radio success. The song peaked here in the United States at #30 on Billboard. #33 on Mediabase. #14 of SMR? No. 29 in the Auxio charts. Every piece Shallow side releases carry explosive charges. Boatright's vocals are consistently brash and powerful. Shallow sideHis rhythm section is ruthless with their driving beats. The guitars wail with fiery intensity. Their composition and arrangements deliver textures full of melodic ferocity. At this rate, Shallow side will engulf the music universe in the very near future.

Eric was kind enough to sit down with AMP to discuss all things Shallow side.

AMP: Can you give us a brief history of the band?

Eric: We formed Shallow side in a garage like shop in a small town in AL about 10 years ago. Like most high school kids, we just wanted to play music and figure life out. We started putting out songs and soon after that, we started hunting cities. The weekend gigs turned into a nightly game. Fast forward a decade and now we're getting radio airplay. It started with humble expectations from some misguided youth. Now we understand our musical position a little better and can swing our sword with the best.

AMP: Your new single, “Filters” is impressive. Can you give us a little insight into the song?

Eric: We started the song in Nashville and finished it in Wichita with Chris Dawson. The song was written about the choices one has to make between up or down and left and right. It is about what is real and unreal. How to deal with a world that expects too much from you all the time. To cope, one needs to put on a face, fake or real, to survive. So you need some form of filter to make it look normal.

When we finished recording, we all felt that something was missing. We felt this song could be elevated Shallow side to the next level but we needed something more. We've never had someone else sing on one of our tracks before, but this seemed like the perfect place for a collaboration. For a while we discussed who we wanted and by mutual agreement we landed on Ilias Soriano from Nonpoint.

It looked perfect. We hit him up and sent him the song. In a day or two, he called us back with his piece complete and asked what we thought. It was spot on. We knew he was going to kill it. He hit it out of the park, Plus he's a solid dude.

AMP: What is your creative process like?

Eric: It starts with a hum, a melody or a verse accompanied by some chords. We start building the house from there. Then we throw everything else into it. Suddenly, the structure becomes more apparent and the colors begin to shine. We usually bring our ideas to the studio where we all sit back and start making the magic brew. Once the frame is more solid, we can tell if we have a monster or a spawn. Our whole process is like a magical whirlwind.

AMP: You have collaborated with Ilias. Are there any other artists that Shallow Side would like to work with?

Eric: We'd love to work with a bunch of musicians. Our greatest joy is writing and creating music and we would love to share that excitement with any other artist.

AMP: For any band, dynamics are an important key to attracting an audience. What do you think is the main ingredient in Shallow Side's dynamic?

Eric: Harmony! There are four of us and we all sing. It's really cool for me, but it also puts me in a position where I always have to be on my game. This harmony works both on and off stage. There is a certain camaraderie that we possess. We are more than a band or four friends. Shallow side it's not just music or business, but a family and we treat each other that way. Fortunately, our differences are usually small. As brothers we have our fights but we are very close.

AMP: Your new album is out this summer. Do you think it's an evolution in musical style from your previous material?

Eric: Yes, there is definitely growth. First, our bass player Sam wrote some of the material on the new album. The record felt like we had a new birth. The process was more free and inclusive. We allowed more to come into play. We took a plunge and it gave us the opportunity to grow and expand our sound.

AMP: What kind of themes do you incorporate into your songs?

Eric: My experiences in life, freedom, justice and injustice. Things I've been through and at the same time, things I put on others. By exposing my choices in life, good and bad, music helped me unwind. Shallow side he has become my personal therapist. Hopefully these observations help someone out there going through something similar.

AMP: What's next for the band?

Eric: The album comes out in July. This is our second full length. We start touring in the fall. We have also booked a reef cruise which is quite exciting. It's going to be a crazy time.

AMP: Any last words for your fans?

Eric: We are ready to get back to work. Luckily, we have some of the best fans around, but we need to get out there to grow our army. World domination is at hand.

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