Q&A: Bay Ledges Leans In and Lets Go on His New Album ‘Ritual’

 

☆ BY MOSES ROBERT SOZA ☆

 
 

BRINGING FEEL-GOOD, GROUNDED AND ETHEREAL VIBES — with his first LP, Ritual, Zach Hurd of Bay Ledges has begun a new journey. Founded back in 2015, Bay Ledges released a string of successful singles and EPs, which have been at the top of Spotify’s global charts. Their music has roots in folk, alternative, dream pop, and electronic sounds, and the band has toured all over the US and Canada, sharing the stage with such acts as Yoke Lore and The Palms. Having been based in LA at the very start of Bay Ledges, Hurd is now back in his home state of Maine, where he was able to complete Ritual. 

The entire album was written, produced and mixed entirely by Hurd, which gives it a strong sense of self. Within the album, there are standout musical elements such as the use of base and drums, which help create melodies that are both engaging and lovely to listen to. The album's opening song, “DMT,” showcases Hurd’s thoughtful lyrics, “It’s only money who cares” and does a great job at setting the vibe for the entire album. One of the lead singles, “In Water,” has a rhythm that makes you want to dance. Ritual’s overall tonality is felt as harmonious and pleasant. Bay Ledges delivers what is an honest, pure, and classic album that can be listened to anytime of the day.

At this point in Hurd’s career, with the completion of Ritual, it feels that Bay Ledges is a flower in full boom. Luna caught up with Hurd via video chat recently to discuss all things Ritual and to get to know a little bit about the person behind the pseudonym that is Bay Ledges.

LUNA: Can you share your experience with the beginning stages of Ritual?

HURD: It started during the pandemic, when I moved up to Fresno, CA. At first, I didn’t know I was making an album, and I had just left my old record label and was really trying to get back into the feeling of making music for fun. I had been in LA doing writing sessions with other musicians, which was a really good experience but I feel like between being in LA and leaving my old label I lost a little bit of the connection to my sound. While I was in Fresno, I started writing by myself, and made the New Days EP, which was released in 2020. After that, on a road trip while I was writing and recording, my fiancé and I decided to move to Maine. I never thought I would move back, but we were also ready for something new. As we were getting acclimated to Maine, I kept recording and building the album. Finally, last August I started working with Nettwerk Records, where I officially decided to do an album. I was able to put a bunch of the pieces together over the last couple of years to create Ritual. 

LUNA: Was there a certain sound you initially wanted for the album?

HURD: There wasn’t a specific sound, but I got more into playing the bass and that inspired me to be more interested in the rhythm section of recorded music, sort of how the drums and the bass work off each other. I have always played guitar, and I have been percussively aware, but I think when you play bass there’s this new awareness and appreciation for drums that you kind of need to have. I definitely knew I didn’t want to do anything stripped down; I wanted to have the music feel more full and fun. I also wanted to continue to experiment with everything, such as pitching vocals. 

LUNA: The lyrics in the album are fun and insightful. Can you share how the writing process was for Ritual?

HURD: Writing was really fun in the beginning, especially when I didn’t know I was making an album. I was just writing, but I think towards the end of making Ritual the process felt a little more chaotic. However, at some point you just have to give it away and move on.

LUNA: Going off that, can you share a bit more about your songwriting process?

HURD: I sort of write all the time. I will either think of something and put it in my phone or I will sit down with a guitar in my studio room at home. I’ve always found it the easiest to write with guitar. I will play some chords that feel good and just see what comes out. I also free-write without any melody or anything and maybe come back to what I have written and grab some stuff to use. I’ve tried not to get stuck into one way of doing things like writing because I have hit walls that way. I try to come up with new ways of writing to loosen the brain up a little bit. 

LUNA: Awesome! We talked earlier about the overall sound of the LP. With that being said, were there any artists that may have inspired Ritual’s sound?

HURD: I have been inspired by Washed Out and Toro Y Moi. I was listening back to Washed Out’s album Mister Mellow and enjoyed the way he put it all together with little pieces — even the short little songs that carry you into the next thing. Same with Toro Y Moi — that attention to detail makes the whole record fun to listen to. That approach, care, and personality that go into making their music inspired me. 

LUNA: The word “ritual” has a spiritual vibe to it. Do you practice meditation or do any other rituals of your own? 

HURD: Yes, I do meditate. I got into the practice around six years ago when I moved to LA. I try to do it every day. It definitely helps center me, as I can get in my head a lot. It brings everything down to level. 

LUNA: What are your hopes for the listeners to experience while tuning into Ritual? 

HURD: I hope people can feel good while listening. I also hope it’s a comfort in some capacity, whether it’s very small, or that it gives something that feels nice and fun to listen to, even if it's a very passing moment. I didn’t write it thinking about those things but I am always hopeful that people will connect with it in some way.

LUNA: Lastly, do you plan on taking this album on the road?

HURD: Yes, we're doing a tour starting June 7! It’s 22 shows for the whole month of June. We’re going around the whole country — I’m so excited! We played this past February, but this will be a full headline tour so I am really stoked! 

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