Riding the Storm: The Perfect Storm Sets Sail with Maiden Voyage

In the ever-shifting tides of alt-pop rock, few debut albums arrive with the conviction and candor of Maiden Voyage. For The Perfect Storm—James, Matty, and Ethan—it’s more than just a title; it’s a mission statement. With heartfelt lyricism, unfiltered brotherhood, and a hunger to break beyond the “cookie cutter” mold, these three musicians have channeled their bond into something bold, honest, and deeply human. Their songs speak of heartbreak, second chances, magic in the mundane, and the thrill of stepping into the unknown. In this conversation, they reflect on what they’ve left behind, what they’re sailing toward, and why Maiden Voyage might just be the compass they—and their listeners—needed all along.

Your debut album is titled ‘Maiden Voyage.’ James, Matty, Ethan… metaphorically speaking, what were you sailing away from—and what were you sailing toward—when you made this record? 

James 

Metaphorically we were sailing away from being hobby musicians to professional musicians. The goal has been to take the next steps and make a living through music while providing music that touches people’s lives in a positive way. 

Matty

Well, I think we are trying to sail away from the normal cookie cutter album and sound, but hopefully sailing towards a successful career.

Ethan

I think, in a way, we were sailing away from the void of unknowing—uncertain of what we could produce on an album and what we could become as a band. We were navigating uncharted territory, forming melodies that resonate with our journey up to this point.

You write about heartbreak, joy, brotherhood, and second chances. Were there any lyrics on this album that were difficult to write—because they came from a place that still hurts?

James 

Our songs are pretty uplifting and fun. The darkest song “My Woman Never Loved Me” Matty wrote almost all the lyrics. But even when writing that song we were laughing and having a good time about it. 

Ethan 

I don’t think any of the songs came from a place that still hurt—none of them were tough for me to write, anyway. A lot of the lyrics come from emotions we may be experiencing at the time, but sometimes you might record a few random words while tracking a song, and those words drive the narrative into a beautifully woven story.

In your song ‘Magic Feeling,’ there’s this sense of nostalgia and growing up. James, you sing about ‘beautiful women’ and ‘children in the house.’ When did you each first realize that magic could be found in the ordinary?

James

When I became a Father. 

My whole life changed as any Parent’s does.

Suddenly joy is found in things like first words and first steps. Hearing fantastical tales from the mind of a small child and seeing their excitement from a passing train or how they believe they are Batman when they put on the Halloween costume. Instead of going to dance clubs you start to go to Sam’s Club.  When all that happened I realized the ordinary is the extraordinary.

Ethan, in ‘The World That’s Cold,’ you sing: ‘I try to be someone that don’t belong.’ Have you ever felt like outsiders in the music world—or even in your own lives?

Ethan

I wouldn’t say we’ve felt like outsiders, but it does take something a little special to push outside of that bubble. It can burn you out at times to keep the momentum going. Working through that burnout has been fulfilling, considering how much we’ve overcome and all the new skills we’ve learned.

Matty, let’s talk about ‘My Woman Never Loved Me’… it’s biting, it’s funny, it’s brutal. Is revenge ever truly satisfying? Or is that song more of a catharsis than a confession?

Matty

James thought I should write a song and I demurred for a while. Finally James said ” here’s the name of the song, write the lyrics and get back to me ” . I wrote it in two days. It really is relatable to everyone. We all have been screwed over by someone. But instead of just whining about it we had some fun and decided what if we get revenge and we are the one that is laughing. Then we thought oh but not only are we laughing but now we hooked up with our Ex’s sister! 

The chemistry between the three of you is palpable—onstage and in the studio. But tell me honestly: what’s one thing each of you does that absolutely drives the others crazy?

James

We have a special bond like brothers. 

We talk everyday whether on the phone, face to face, or messenger. We know what we are going through mentally, physically, and emotionally. Matty and Ethan have my back and I have theirs. Like any family we get on each other’s nerves and have our arguments. But at the end of the day we figure it out and work through whatever problems are bothering us. 

Matty 

My bandmates are complete angels and nothing they do ever rubs me the wrong way. I think Ethan should probably drink more tea. Jim could probably get more sleep. 

“Song for My Friends’ is so sincere. You thank the people who ‘picked you up off the ground.’ Was there ever a moment when this band saved you personally?

James

This band has saved me by giving me a positive outlet of expression. It really broke the bonds of COVID isolation. The band has also given me a sense of immortality. When we are long gone hopefully the music is touching others lives in a positive way. 

Matty 

I think this band saved me in the sense that I always wanted to make an album and now that it’s made, nobody can take that away and I would have regretted not scratching that itch

You sing, ‘We fell in love’—with a kind of wonder, like it still surprises you. Do you think love—true love—comes once, or can it arrive again in unexpected ways?

James

Of course, anything can happen. 

“We Fell in Love” can happen to anyone. You don’t have to be 15 to have that happen. I have seen it happen to people of all different ages. That is part of the beauty with Love, you never know when and where it will hit you.

Matty 

I believe that eventually there is truly somebody for everybody. I also believe that the 

when, where and why can happen when you least expect it.

Ethan 

True love can always rise again. Like the saying goes, more often than not, it will surprise you when you’re least expecting it.

There’s a rawness in your lyrics—like someone trying to heal in real time. What would you say to a young fan listening to ‘Maiden Voyage’ alone in their room, feeling a little broken?

James 

I would say there’s always hope. Life is not always on the up and up but it is not always down either. You are not alone, James, Matty and Ethan too have been down and out. We hope that our music gives you hope and lifts you up! 

Matty 

I do believe the rawness you’re talking about is the three of us trying to translate musically and lyrically our life experiences into what you hear. Having said that, I hope that our realness and authenticity that we’ve tried to convey on the album does inspire, and maybe someone somewhere might think… I can relate to that. Someone is speaking to me. I’m not alone. That’s what truly good music does. Music can be the elixir for many ills if it’s worth listening to.

Ethan 

I’d say life goes on for a long time. Times get tough, but a change in scenery and a new routine can pull you out of the worst situations. They can help you regain the confidence needed to show that things will always get better—if you want them to.

This is your first album. Ten years from now, if you’re sitting on this couch again, what do you hope people say when they talk about The Perfect Storm?

James 

I hope that people say that it is a great band that has amazing music that has made a positive impact on generations of people. 

Matty 

We are in the process of making the follow up to Maiden Voyage and build on the comradery, knowledge, and technology we’ve accumulated over the last two years. I’m not thinking ten years down the road because I’m trying to concentrate on the immediate tasks at hand, but I just hope we leave a musical legacy that can be looked back on with good memories.

Ethan

I hope they feel a deep connection with the music and are enthralled watching the journey we’ve taken up to that point.