When You Wake Mix

For us at East • West, music influences everything we do— a utility that provides structure to our days, inspiration for our work, and a centerpiece of the community that we build. Our latest sonic-obsession is the genre known as shoegaze.

Emerging in the late 80’s and early 90’s, the genre was first established in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Upon arrival, shoegaze altered the idea of rock music both in complexity and vulnerability.

The name came about due to the fact that bands were often found to be stationary on stage, often focused on their extensive use of foot pedals for effects. A contrast to the in-your-face performances of most rock at the time, the band members would appear aloof to critics upon first sight.

The perceived detachment of the musicians didn’t take anything from the music; however; quite the opposite. The musicians poured heart and soul into the songs: burying heart-felt lyrics underneath “wall-of-sound” style instrumentals. The melodic guitar tones were often washed out and drone-like, and the harmonies and rhythms woven into the noise waiting to reward a deeper listen.

The result: music that is equal parts challenging and satisfying. A keen sense of restraint, paired with musical ability and experimentation led to some of the most timeless recordings in history.

The following playlist is a curation of our favorite songs that define shoegaze as we know it. The moods are fit for all day playing: a burst of energy in the morning, a soundtrack to the day, or a calm night spent at home. Expansive, psychedelic, and revolutionary — E•W presents Mix v7 “When You Wake”.