With “Silhouette” out now, we took some time to hear from Bam Rigby. Read below to learn more about Bam Rigby, the story behind “Silhouette,” and what’s to come.
Hi Bam Rigby! Let’s start with how did you choose your stage name?
Hi! Bam Rigby came as a mix of a funny accident and an tribute to my mother. My real last name is Tachibana, but a friend of mine used to mispronounce it as “Tachibam.” Eventually, it got shortened to the nickname “Bam.” The “Rigby” part comes from my mother. When I was growing up, she was in a rock band and I have fond memories of her singing “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles. It’s a nod to my friends and an homage to the woman who taught me what it’s like to be on a stage.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in Madawaska, ME, grew up between Japan, Canada and the UK. I currently live between the Bronx (NYC) and Tokyo, Japan.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I think I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I started performing at a very young age and for as long as I can remember I’ve always been writing songs. I had my first taste of performing on stage as young as 6 years old, but I’ve been working professionally for a little over ten years. It’s been a long road to get here.
How would you describe your sound?
I would say it’s lightning and soda pop through an analog speaker. Like if music played as you shake a polaroid picture. Retro fuelled pop/rock with a little bit of folk in there.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I like to build things. Designing and building furniture and things for my home is something I’m really into. I built my entire recording studio by hand and I feel like I’m always tinkering with something.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I love the pop/rock sounds of the 1960s and 1970s — The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, The Mamas and the Papas, The Zombies, T.Rex, Lou Reed, Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac have all inspired me heavily, but I’m always listening to new music and I feel like there’s so much great music out there to be discovered.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
A dream collaboration would be working with Chappell Roan. I love her artistry and I think she has one of the coolest voices in music right now.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Opening for Orville Peck and Grace Jones was definitely a highlight, but I think for me, I’m most proud of seeing things through and pushing forward.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Persistence is key. I think the biggest lesson is to not give up. There are so many people who try to do music and they give up too early. It’s not about how long it takes. Also, get REST. Your voice, body, and mind need it.
Now onto your release, “Silhouette.” What inspired this song? What is “Silhouette” about?
“Silhouette” is a song about perseverance. My mom used to always say, “If you’re going to do something, do it with your whole heart and make it something only you can do.” So, I take that to heart, and I wanted to shout it to the world because it’s the best advice anyone’s ever given to me.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Silhouette?”
We actually shot 3 different concepts for the cover art. I was shooting B-roll of me walking in Joshua Tree, California that I thought I would maybe use for TikTok or Instagram Reels or something and then when I was looking through photos one day, I saw it and thought that visually it felt like how the song sounds. For the “Silhouette” music video, we ended up taking the outfit from that image as inspiration and making a custom jacket that would look better on camera from it. (The video will be out very soon!)
What was the creative process like when making “Silhouette?”
I actually originally wrote it during the beginning of COVID with my co-writer Bec Hollcraft after the chorus “Make it good… Make it last.. so they never forget your silhouette,” came to me in a dream. We produced a version of the song and then for the album I decided to spin it on it’s head and make a new version that I felt fit the vibe better.
How long did it take to complete “Silhouette?”
It took about 6 years to get from that original demo to where we are now. Sometimes songs are like that. You can write and finish it the same day, and others need a little bit of perspective and take a few years.
What is your favorite lyric in “Silhouette” and why?
I would probably have to say the chorus lyrics: “Make it good… Make it last.. so they never forget your silhouette.” I feel like it’s simple that anyone can understand what I’m trying to say but also broad enough that it is open for interpretation. I usually write songs for me, but once it’s out there, it’s your song now.
What do you hope fans take away from “Silhouette” and your music in general?
I hope they feel empowered and inspired and that it’s a gateway into more indie rock/pop music. There are so many amazing artists new and old out there and there’s room for all of us. I really pride myself on using analog gear and live musicians and I see a future where more of this becomes the norm.
What’s next? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
At the moment, I’m finishing up my debut studio album, Sometimes I Forget to Breathe. In the upcoming weeks, the music video for “Silhouette” will be coming out with an interactive website, as well as rollouts of a few singles before dropping the album. It’s been a two year process. I really wanted to take my time writing and developing these songs. Working with live musicians and performers on this album is really important to me, so I wanted to give myself enough time to make it all happen without rushing or compromising the integrity of the album or the artistry of the music.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bamrigby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bamrigby
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bamrigby
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FbXBy1QSg7Cnd1PdFZ90p
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/bam-rigby/1792801246
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/300068511
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0DVGXQ4TR/bam-rigby
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/artist/53639918
Before you go, let’s ask you an off-topic question. What is your favorite food?
My favourite food is popcorn. I love going to the movies but I’m mostly excited about the popcorn. IF the movie is good that’s a bonus. Also, support movie theatres and cinemas, people. We need to keep them open FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. <3
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
