How would you describe your music to anyone who may have never heard it?
Mike: Like sad alt-pop.
What is the exact significance to the band's name of Pain Waves? M: I've experienced a lot of pain in my life, and the one time I cracked my rib, I described it like a wave of pain. From there, I drew inspiration and started a new project under my current name.
What are your musical influences? M: I draw a lot of inspiration from pop-punk, Eminem, and A$AP Rocky - currently, I'm listening to a lot of alt-pop and bubblegum pop.
What are your musical inspirations? M: Weed, tobacco, coffee, and Epsom salt baths.
If given the chance, what musician(s) would you like to collaborate with? Rather this is to either write a song or be featured on a track. M: I've collaborated with a few musicians - a few musicians from Denver and California. I would love to be featured, but it's more fun to create my own tracks. It’s more rewarding.
Do you have any favourite songs to perform live? Could be your own music or even a cover. Any reason why?
M: I got really brave with the lyrics in "I Didn't Know I Was Into Breathe-Play" and "Nobody Believes Me," so those are my favourites. When I was first starting out, it was "Wishful Thinking."
If you could perform a show this very second anywhere in the world, where would it be? Is there any particular venue(s) or city/cities that comes to mind?
M: I've toured with other bands - working and taking photos. I enjoyed the scenery of the Midwest. The mountains, the beaches on the east coast. Ideally, it would be a show at the Mirimar in Milwaukee - near my hometown.
Thanks for lending a few minutes of your time today!
M: Thanks for the time today!
