Inside the Making of ‘House by the Sea’: A Conversation with Eigenface.
- Jade McLeod
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Bringing together songwriters from different backgrounds in Wellington, with its moody atmosphere and constant wind, creates more than just music. It becomes a story about creativity, teamwork, and resilience.
Recently, I met with Eigenface members Logan, Penelope, and Elliot to talk about their debut single “House by the Sea,” their creative process, and how geography, weather, and a bit of chaos have shaped their sound. First, it’s helpful to know who they are and how they work together.
From the beginning, it’s clear Eigenface isn’t your average band. “We’re all songwriters in our own ways,” Penelope says. Logan adds, “We’re a songwriting collective based in Wellington, but we have a member in New York.”
Their music is hard to categorize. Some members come from pop rock, others have classical training, and they all like to experiment with electronic and rhythmic sounds. This mix creates an eclectic style. As Penelope says, “People find it hard to categorise us, because we fit so many genres.” She adds, “We’re slightly genreless, and that actually helps us be unique.” Elliot says, “We serve the song, not the genre. We’re not making references for references’ sake. We just do what feels right for the song.”
Wellington shapes not only the band’s lyrics but also how they work. Penelope talks about living on the city’s south coast, where the dramatic weather inspired “House by the Sea.” “The views were incredible, but I didn’t realise I’d be living in one of the windiest, most intense places. That song wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t lived there.” Logan agrees and calls Wellington a city of extremes: “It’s such a moody city. The best and worst weather, amazing people, and a creative community that’s unmatched. Every song I’ve written has Wellington in it.”
The band agrees that Wellington’s culture encourages honesty and directness, even in their songwriting. Penelope says she used to write more metaphorical lyrics in Dunedin, but now her style is more straightforward. “The lyrics are literal; there’s no second-guessing.” This direct approach is clear in “House by the Sea,” where the lyrics come from real experiences and specific places, not just abstract feelings.
For Elliot, the song marked a turning point: “When Penelope brought in the bones of the song, I immediately understood what it could become. It defined our sound.” Making a music video for the song added something new. “The video is more psychological,” Elliot says. “It metaphorizes how the weather operates on you. You don’t have a choice, you just have to learn to tolerate it.”
Even though not all members are still in Wellington, distance hasn’t hurt their creativity. Instead, it has made them more flexible. After they set up their process in Wellington, Logan moved to New York, which brought new ways of working. “Time zone differences give us more time to reflect. We bounce ideas around like a hot potato, each adding something new.” Sometimes Penelope starts writing with just melody and bass, and the rest of the band adds their parts later. “It makes for fascinating listening because you get different interpretations,” she says.
Even with years of experience, Penelope says she still feels nervous every time she releases music. “It’s vulnerable. But if you don’t release it, you’re not serving yourself.” Logan says he finds confidence by repeating the process and having supportive people around him: “The right people champion what you do, and then the nerves wash away.”
With AI-generated music becoming more common, the band values their human approach. “People want honesty and humanness,” Penelope says. Logan adds, “AI encourages us to show more of who we are to bring authenticity to the forefront,” and this authenticity was clear right from our first listen!
Now that “House by the Sea” has introduced their sound, the band looks forward to sharing the full album. It brings together three different songwriting styles but still feels unified. “It’s an emotional journey,” Logan says. “There are moments that will surprise people: aggressive, tender, and everything in between.” That variety sets the stage for what they hope to do next.
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