Tim and Pete of Pickle Juice | The Whiteroom

In this episode, I talk with vocalist Tim van der Krogt and drummer Pete Lavery from the Revelstoke, British Columbia band Pickle Juice about their second EP, The Whiteroom.

We talk about the growth between the band’s first two EPs, why the first one felt like a “proof of concept,” and how becoming more confident as a band affected the new songs. Tim and Pete also explain how they narrowed approximately ten songs down to the five that worked best together.

We get into the band’s songwriting process, which often starts with Tim bringing in the basic structure, lyrics and melody before the five members develop the arrangement together. Pete talks about his previous experience playing with Hazels in the UK, and Tim explains what Pete’s ability to hear the bigger picture brings to the band.

I also ask about some of the musical details that stood out to me while listening to the new EP, including why “Dogma” never returns to its chorus, the layered guitar parts in “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” and the thick, cloudy guitar tone that opens “A Little More Time.” Pete talks about returning to an older drum arrangement for “Dogma,” and how he tries to capture the energy of the band’s live shows in the studio.

We also talk about the members’ different musical influences, the connection between Pickle Juice and Revelstoke’s snowboarding culture, long drives between shows, and touring in a truck that blows hot air on one side and cold air on the other. Tim and Pete also discuss involving members of the Revelstoke community in their music videos and the band’s plans to begin working on its first full-length album.

Topics include:

• The growth between Pickle Juice’s first two EPs
• Choosing the five songs for The Whiteroom
• How the band develops Tim’s original song ideas
• Pete’s experience playing with Hazels
• Why “Dogma” never returns to its chorus
• The guitars in “I Don’t Wanna Wait”
• Capturing the band’s live energy in the studio
• The opening guitar tone in “A Little More Time”
• Why Ben and Tom exchange bass and rhythm guitar
• The influence of Revelstoke and snowboarding culture
• Touring Western Canada
• Working with the Revelstoke community on music videos
• Plans for a future full-length album

The Whiteroom is available now on streaming platforms. Music, videos, merchandise and links to Pickle Juice’s social media are available at picklejuiceband.com.