Exclusive Interview with 'DRAMAMINE'

Dramamine doesn’t really think that anyone will listen to his music. But his music appeals to the niche fanbase of shoegaze. He is, first and foremost, a fan of the shoegaze subgenre, and writing and recording give him a platform to share his imagination and feelings.
Slowdive, Mojave 3, the Daysleepers, and the Verve served as inspiration for the new shoegaze album Seasonal Affective Disorder. Check out his latest album and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?

DRAMAMINE: Dramamine began as a four-piece band in the late 1990s, with influences ranging from The Cure, Slowdive, to the Beatles and Pink Floyd. The band played numerous shows in the Philadelphia-area and recording one album. Singer and guitarist Pete Pom reimagined the band as a solo project in 2020.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
DRAMAMINE: Pete taught himself to play guitar with the help of others, as well as other instruments and is now learning how to record digitally in the home.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘DRAMAMINE’?
DRAMAMINE: Influences above. The band named themselves after the sickness drug Dramamine because of their slow, hazy style of music.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

DRAMAMINE: The key elements of the Dramamine sound revolve around creating a feeling of melancholy, utilizing elements of shoegaze, post-punk, and 60’s style psychedelia. They strive to create simple, sad songs you can sing along with and connect to.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as INDIE?
DRAMAMINE:
My personal style is to create a sound and vibe that people can connect to, its mostly a sad vibe, but that just relates to the type of music I prefer.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
DRAMAMINE:

I personally create music as a form of self-expression, and have been since I was a teenager. My expectation is never that anyone will actual hear it, which makes me appreciate it when someone is able to connect to the music.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

DRAMAMINE:

Absolutely, music is my escape and place where I can decompress. Anything above and beyond that is a gift. When someone actually spends their own money on something I created it is surreal.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
DRAMAMINE:

I never sit to down to write a song, I typically just mess around with different sounds, chords, or riffs. If something starts to sound good, I may try a melody on top of it. I usually record the bit so I don’t forget and the good ones tend to stick around, but I occasionally pull on old ideas in new ways for songs. I don’t currently collaborate with others, but there are a few trusted sources who will give me good input.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
DRAMAMINE: It is difficult to get the word out about the existence of the band, and it takes a lot of time and effort through social media and other channels.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
DRAMAMINE: I’m not focused on the total number of people who have listened to the album, rather I am most proud of the few times where people stated they connected to a song or had a “good cry”. Music has done that throughout my life and I am honored I could provide that to someone else.