#RvCAsk: Standerwick

Previously, we talked with Gareth Emery about the making of "Saving Lights". We had another talk with Standerwick as collaborator in this beautiful track. 

The song “Saving Lights” started from demo that you and Gareth Emery made. When Gareth gave you the material, what was your first impression?
I’ve been working in the studio with this intro that has nothing in it. Me and Gareth met about two years ago in Boston. We’ve talked about collaboration so I sent him the intro. Next thing, he sent me this vocal with Haliene singing on it, which was the final vocal. I was like, “How did you come up with that?”

It’s just a few chord piano progressions! So we had the vocal, and we started the process to building the track around that. Gareth came to me in UK, and I went to Gareth in Los Angeles. I called it Ping Pong because we always back and forth working the track. Eventually, we have 15 different versions including the final release. It was really good collaborative project.

I’ve been a songwriter for 25 years and I thought I knew everything. Through this experience, I’ve learned so much from Gareth. So it’s really good.

What makes you two chose this final version?
That was really thanks to Gareth played it live in some big shows. We even changed the kick drums halfway through. So some earlier versions might actually really different than this version. Gareth testing out on some shows so we figured out what’s work and what’s not on the dance floor. Then we go back to studio to working on it. The 15 versions came out because of it.

What’s your reaction when you saw the video for the first time?
At first, I had the 30-seconds clip about the intro section, so I haven’t watched the full video yet. I can see where the video will go from there. When the full video arrived at my inbox, I watched it and I just sat and wept for a long time. It hit me and my family also who saw the video, too. My friend who watched it also have the same effect. It was really special.

Do you have anything to say for people out there who too afraid to speak up about bullying?
I never been bullied before, however bullying has a big place in my life. What I could not stand is the bullies. I even get myself in trouble by involved in situation where I saw some young lad being bullied. It’s something that I cannot tolerate in my life. Ditch The Label has this way to addressing the bullying, but I don’t have patience with the bullies.
To the people being bullied, you can talk to someone. No matter how bad those bullies made you feel and you might feel you’re in the dark places, it’s just temporary. There is always the end of the tunnel, not always dark forever. No matter how dark it may be, you will see the light. Follow that light.

​
We honestly thinks that "Saving Lights" is a song that crafted beautifully with powerful message. Bullying is unacceptable behavior and cannot be tolerated. Speak up to someone you trust if you got bullied. We can break the circle with speak up and not silence.