Q+A with Dramamine
Heights Lake is the latest collection of songs by Dramamine, the solo dream pop / shoegaze project of Pete Pom. Pete’s music is inspired by a range of shoegaze acts, new and old, as well as a bit of Britpop. However, it’s Pete’s love for the 90s alternative rock of the Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh constellations that lends Dramamine its unique sound: the emotional expressiveness of a singer-songwriter venturing through the melancholy of lost connections, the uncertainty encountered in self reflection and the challenge of making the next, new connection.
Pete shares some of the themes behind the songs of Heights Lake in this blank mood Q+A. He also explains why he appreciates listeners, how he’s getting on with AI’s creep into music and looks ahead to finishing off 2025 with his shoegaze compilation project Star Sailors.
What is the story behind the title of the album Heights Lake?
Heights Lake is actually the lake from the town where I grew up. As some of the early songs started to come together, this feeling of nostalgia kept showing up, and the name just felt right, both fitting and unique. Once I landed on that theme, I started writing lyrics that tied everything back to that overall idea.
You have noted that this album is deeply personal... would you like to share a personal story related to one of the songs?
“Meet You There” is a very personal song about loss, specifically, losing someone you love. The lyrics come from the perspective of someone coming to terms with the temporality of life and, in a way, accepting their own mortality. The chorus, “I’ll meet you there, the darkness of it all. I’ll meet you there, we’ll find our way back home.” captures that sense of reunion and peace. I intentionally opened the album with “Dearly Beloved,” which explores themes of new love, and closed it with this track to bring everything full circle.
Have you ever written music that is impersonal?
Ha, I guess they’re all a part of me and personal in some way. But yeah, sometimes I’ll write lyrics that just fit the melody rather than drawing from something deeply personal. Still, I’m always trying to capture and convey a certain emotion through the song.
Can you tell us something about the Heights Lake album artwork?
I was lucky to come across this image and made a few edits to make it look like the house is on its own little island. It really matches the mood of the music, plus since I’m a solo artist, there’s often this underlying sense of isolation in what I create. I’m also naturally introverted, so that fits, too. Plus, it ties in nicely with other Dramamine album covers that use similar shades of purple and, of course, include water, a little nod to the band name.
Can you tell us something about the song “Signs”, which to me sounds like one of the noisier tunes of the album?
I don’t ever set out to write songs to be loud or quiet, or to “fit” a particular spot on an album. Since I write on both acoustic and electric, it’s really just whatever comes out in the moment. That said, I do like albums that mix up volume, tempo, and mood, just to keep things interesting for the few people nowadays who actually listen all the way through. With “Signs,” I wanted that classic shoegaze wall of sound, and since the other songs on the album were quieter, I really leaned into that when recording it.
It sounds like you appreciate feedback from listeners that they have connected with something you have created. What does that connection typically look like or what form does it take? How does listener feedback influence your continuing creative process?
It might sound strange, but I really appreciate it when people tell me they cried or felt emotional listening to one of my songs. That’s actually why I turn to music myself, so to know I can give that to someone else is amazing. It’s also shaped how I approach writing lyrics now. I try not to just throw out generic words, but really focus on telling a story that people can connect with emotionally.
It’s not strange. It’s human to seek connection. I’m curious if you provide such feedback to artists when you are the listener?
Oh absolutely, I think its the best compliment you could give to another artist. I’ve met a lot of amazingly talented artists through social media and try to listen, support, and share their work as much as I can.
Would it be fair to say you’ve tried for a bit of a Britpop vocal sound on some of the Heights Lake tunes?
Being from the Philadelphia area, I always get a kick out of it when people think I’m from the UK, haha. It’s not intentional, I think it mostly comes from the fact that a lot of my influences are from there, and after years of playing their songs, you naturally start to pick up some of their way of singing. I’m certainly a fan of Oasis, Blur, and early Coldplay, if they are even considered Britpop.
What would you say are the greatest non-shoegaze influences on your work?
I’d still probably call it “shoegaze-adjacent,” but Dinosaur Jr. has been a major influence on me. I was a huge fan growing up, and while my music doesn’t really sound like theirs, I think my melodies are influenced by the way J. Mascis sings. Also, as a kid of the ’80s, I’m a total sucker for a cheesy ballad, haha, and that definitely sneaks into how I write sometimes.
Ha! Excellent. Can you share a favourite?
It would be too easy to say something Phil Collins, so I’ll go more embarrassing and say “Hello” by Lionel Richie haha.
Would you care to chime in on the conversation about AI-generated music that we all know is going on around us at the moment?
I think a lot of people feel torn about this, and I do too. I’ve liked a few bands, only to later find out they were AI-generated. Obviously, that’s frustrating, especially when some of these AI acts gain popularity compared to all the time and effort real musicians put into their work. But it’s part of the landscape now, so I try not to dwell on it too much. The music often has this slightly odd, non-emotional vibe, and at least for now, they can’t do live shows.
I sometimes include a “90s nugget” in an episode of blank mood - a song that I’d forgotten about and re-discovered or something that I never discovered back then because music moved much more slowly... what would your favourite 90s nugget be Doesn’t have to be shoegaze!
One of my all-time favorite songs is “Spoiled” by Sebadoh, from their III album and also on the Kids soundtrack. I loved it so much that one of the first songs I ever wrote, “Neurotic Playground” was basically my attempt at capturing a similar vibe. You can hear that track on the Dramamine Early Recordings album. Lou Barlow was a big early influence on me. I’d spend hours in my bedroom, recording on a cassette deck with just an acoustic guitar similar to his work with Sebadoh and for those who know, Sentridoh.
A band that you really dig right now?
I love what She’s Green and Winter are doing and both have put out great albums this year. They capture that nostalgic dreampop sound that resonates with me, but have also added their unique, modern take on the genre.
How will you spend the rest of 2025 as far as music goes? More new songs? Gigs of your own or others? Films? Books?
I might put out one more single this year, but I’m also working on my favorite project of the year. Every year, I put together a free, Bandcamp-only compilation of lesser-known shoegaze and dreampop artists called Star Sailors. This year I’m working on the fourth edition, which will feature over 20 artists, and I’m hoping to have it ready by early December. It’s a great way to connect with other artists, and it’s my way of helping shine a light on musicians who are trying to get their music out there.
Find more Dramamine releases on Bandcamp and follow Pete on Instagram for Dramamine and Star Sailors compilation news.