Waiting At The Bridge, a one-man sludge doom metal project,
was born out of a deep passion for doom music and a desire to create something
unique. After moving away from the music scene he had been a part of for years,
the artist found solace in the solitude of living in the middle of nowhere,
allowing him to fully immerse himself in the creation of his music. The name
Waiting At The Bridge pays homage to the artist's beloved cats that have passed
away, as he believes that if cats could create music, it would be in the form
of doom metal. The interview delves into the artist's influences, creative
process, and the intense themes of existential dread, cosmicism, nihilism,
misanthropy, and cosmic horrors that are manifested in the lyrics and sound of
Waiting At The Bridge.
1. Can you tell us more about the origins of Waiting At The
Bridge and what led you to create this one-man sludge doom metal project?
Waiting At The Bridge was formed a few years ago as an idea of passion after
moving away from a music scene I had been a part of for years. I’ve always
wanted to create doom music and now that I live in the middle of nowhere, I can
finally focus on creating it. The name Waiting At The Bridge is a dedication to
my cats that have passed over the years. I always thought if cats could make
music, they would make doom metal. I mean just look at some cat’s facial
expressions, pure dread haha.
2. How would you describe the musical style and influences of Waiting At The
Bridge, particularly the incorporation of djent elements?
I would describe the musical style as ‘Chainsaw Sludge Doom’. The first riffs I
started to write were a bit more classic doom style, then went into a Crowbar
sludge type style; which can be heard one a few tracks off the debut EP. The
new songs are lower and heavier that sounds like a chainsaw. As for the
influences, bands like Primitive Man, 71tonman, Conan, Bongripper, The Acacia
Strain which I know isn’t a doom band but they have a very doom mindset to
classic doom bands such as Eletric Wizard, Sleep, Black Sabbath of course, and
many more. The Djent aspects aren’t too noticeable, but they are there. I added
some of those elements into the music such as some riffs and drumming, because
of being a fan of bands like Meshuggah. I didn’t want WATB to sound like
anything else and really heavy.
3. The themes in your music, such as existential dread, cosmicism, nihilism,
misanthropy, and cosmic horrors, are quite intense. What draws you to explore
these topics and how do they manifest in your lyrics and sound?
I have always been into those themes, even as a child. Reading books from Carl
Sagan, Hitcher's Guide To The Galaxy and being into sci-fi such as Warhammer
40k and Lovecraftian themed media. Also just how I grew up, my dad was really
straightforward about life being in the military. I’ve just been drawn to the
idea of ‘we are not special or there are things way bigger & scarier than us
out there’. Even in my old band I was vocalist for every lyric was about these
subjects even including some lines from films & books that have those
themes. I like to throw those in as easter eggs.
4. How has your background in playing with various metal and hard rock bands,
including Aversion To Life & Ashes Of The Forgotten, influenced your
approach to creating music in Waiting At The Bridge?
I think every band I’ve been in has helped me grow in one way or another. I
have been playing in bands since I was 9yrs old, starting out on drums. It
feels like I grow with every band. Some bands were just for fun, and others
were more serious. I’ve learned a lot in them all but the biggest part of how I
approach WATB is that it's all me. I’ve done one-man bands in the past, but
they weren’t something I put 100% into but WATB is.
5. After facing setbacks, you finally released your first EP in 2022. How does
it feel to have overcome those challenges and see your music come to fruition?
It feels good. I also do feel that although it does suck losing some many
recordings along with many other stuff I was working on, I am kind of glad I
started over at the same time. A clean slate, I guess. The debut EP wasn’t
originally going to be just a EP when I first set out recording and writing. I
only used 3 old riffs that I did change up some, Skull Bong and Entropy were
the songs I came up with after losing everything when my audio PC crashed, and
I finally returned to writing & recording. Which was over a year or more
after that big setback.
6. As an actor and video game streamer/creator, how does your involvement in
these other creative pursuits intersect with your musical endeavors? Do they
inform or influence each other in any way?
In my live streaming/gaming clips I use a lot of metal and sometimes use those
platforms to push WATB as well as bands I’ve come across. Although I haven’t
had much time to live stream lately. I’m a metal head gamer for sure. As far as
the acting goes, it is mostly its own thing. I have to fit whatever it is I'm a
part of, which I have done with music as well, with all the past bands I’ve
been in. So being part of different music styles and in front of different
crowd types has helped me in acting to read off people. Also, it certainly
prepared me for all the disappointment that comes in both fields at times.
The creative process is very layered. I first sit down and just start jamming out ideas in my head. I either sometimes just stumble onto something I think would be cool to build off of or I already have an idea of a riff in my head. From there I record it so I don’t forget it. Then begins a lot of ADHD jumping back and forth from these riffs which sometimes becoming one or separate tracks after a while. After I build on a riff more and more, I start figuring out exactly what I want, make changes then start the drum programming which causes more changes in the riffs. After a rough draft of drums and guitar I do go back and fix transitions, timing issues, start adding the accent solo type parts over the riffs and seeing where I want to add those. Then I re-record guitars again, bass, and start hearing it over and over. And yes I might go back and change more things, re-re-re-record guitars and bass. Then lyric writing and the vocal process is the same thing. Lots of changes and re-re-re-re-re-re-recordings haha. Then comes the mixing with can almost drive me insane at that point. After hearing my music over a few thousand times I’ll finally put it out and then wish I could of done more changes or mix it differently even after all that hahaha...
8. Are there any specific songs or moments in your music that hold a special significance or personal meaning to you? If so, which ones and why?
All of them pretty much. Each lyric is either from a fandom of mine or philosophy/theory I deeply connect with. WATB is me and how I think and feel about things. “My brain screams with thoughts so dark you can’t comprehend...” is lyrics from a track called B.F.C. sums things up pretty nicely haha... It’s not only a easter egg fandom but also how I feel mixed together.
9. How do you translate the heavy, low-tuned sound of Waiting At The Bridge into a live performance? Have you had the opportunity to perform live, and if so, what has that experience been like?
WATB has not played live but I would never say never to that. I’ve been playing live shows since 9yrs from crowds of only a handful to a few thousand, I have always loved entertaining. My last time live on a stage was being a guest vocalist for a fellow band which was around 2016. I really do miss it so WATB live will always be a possibility if the opportunity comes, and it works.
10. The ideas of mankind's minuscule nature within the universe are prominent in your music. What do you hope listeners take away from these concepts, and how do you aim to evoke a sense of cosmicism through your sound?
That’s a great question. Again, those themes are things I am a fan of, feel and think. I myself enjoy finding new music, films, stories etc.. With those themes. I just want to add to the iceberg and hope to create something people can get into and enjoy. I think doom music just works really well to express those themes. I feel the little accent notes throughout the tracks gives a creepy dark uneasy feeling at times which is one element how I evoke that sense in my sound.
11. Have you received any feedback or reactions from fans or the metal community regarding your music? Are there any standout moments or memorable experiences you'd like to share?
I’ve had some amazing things said by some in the community. I actually didn’t know what to expect when I released the EP. I just wanted to get it out there. But the response has been fairly well such as "Astonishing filthy darkened sludge doom one-man band Waiting At The Bridge, project of extremely gifted vocalist, composer and musician TJ Garcia.... incredibly aggressive, telluric & gloomy truly unique sludge doom sound!" From Morpheus from DoomHeart facebook.com/doomheartDM and I’ve had many comments on how this is my best work from close friends. It feels great to hear those words and reactions.
12. What are your future plans for Waiting At The Bridge? Are there any upcoming releases, shows, or collaborations that fans can look forward to?
I have released 3 singles from a new album that will hopefully be out in a couple of months. These newer songs are heavier and played in a lower tuning for more of a sludger sound than the debut EP. I actually already have some ideas for the next release after this upcoming one haha. Fans can expect the music to keep getting better and heavier in the future with possible guest vocals like this upcoming release which features guest vocals from my friends, Matt Thomas aka Mega Matt who is vocalist of Overdose TX and Samuel Andrew Medrano aka Big Daddy Sid who also designed the WATB logo.
13. How do you balance your various creative pursuits, such as music, acting, and video game streaming/creation? Do you find that they complement or challenge each other in any way?
It’s hard to balance everything sometimes. It certainly has its challenges, but I’ve always enjoyed being busy and being creative. I admit sometimes I get burned out and just want to delete it all and disappear, just leave in a cabin with no contact etc.. but I keep going. Being creative is just something I am and sadly a lot of us struggle with depression and other issues. Doing as much as I can really help with it to keep my mind straight and off things, but I can also create some issues as well. On top of all my ventures I also care for cats that I have rescued & have a family life with my wife and 2 step kids. There are times I feel a bit overwhelmed with everything but having someone say how awesome my work is, seeing reactions, messages etc... on anything I do can really turn that around.
14. Finally, is there anything else you would like to share with your fans and the readers of this interview about Waiting At The Bridge or your artistic journey?
We all die and join the void. It sounds dark, hopeless, and meaningless but within all this chaos we are alive for a short time. Enjoy yourself, be yourself and don’t beat yourself up over the past. What’s done is done and it will be forgotten anyways. Just like the billions before you and me all their lives are long gone and forgotten. It’s not about being remembered but about just experiencing this hell and making the best of it while you can. I really do appreciate you all and glad to be here sharing this short time with you. Thank you for enjoying my art and helping me remain sane.
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