Musical Roots
In the years after high school, my time was split between skating, playing Xbox, working part-time at a restaurant, and dedicating just enough effort to my uni studies to keep passing. Musically, my tastes were starting to solidify. I got swept up in the wave of mid-2000s post-hardcore bands gaining traction at the time – the blend of high-energy instrumentation with soaring, catchy vocals resonated strongly with me. As a drummer, I never idolised specific players, but several drummers from the post-hardcore scene have undeniably shaped my style. Similarly, the way I approach singing and melody writing probably carries echoes of vocalists from my favourite bands of that era.
Discovering Secret and Whisper
One standout band was the Canadian group Secret and Whisper. I was immediately drawn to their drum rhythms and explorative, melodic guitar parts. Above all though, they had a vocalist whose voice and writing I really connected with. To my ears, Charles Finn's voice carries a distinct sense of longing, a haunting quality I can’t quite pinpoint, which infuses the lyrics with immense emotion and weight. It amplifies the impact of the songs' biggest moments. The two albums Secret and Whisper released before disbanding still regularly feature on my sing-along driving playlist. So it felt natural, when considering songs for a n1ghtmar3cat cover, to dig into S&W’s catalogue.
Why "Anchors"?
“Anchors” emerged as the clear choice quite early on. I love the lyrics, which paint vivid pictures using strong imagery and metaphor. The chorus is immense, especially the way it leaps in pitch, injecting fresh energy on the word “anchors”. But what put this song on the map for me was the acoustic version. Its unavailability on streaming platforms, existing only as a YouTube audio upload with a warbly, low-quality mp3 aesthetic, adds to its charm. I believe it was included on the Japanese deluxe CD release of their album Great White Whale (exclusive tracks for Japanese deluxe albums were a pretty common thing), and it clearly didn’t get included when their catalogue was later sent to streaming services. It’s a beautiful version though, casting the songwriting and melodies in a completely different light compared to the high-energy, thrashy full-band original.
Crafting the n1ghtmar3cat Synth-Pop Version
My n1ghtmar3cat version takes a third path, blending elements of synth-pop with an electronic drum beat and a spacious, atmospheric coldness that matches the vocal mood. While aiming for a distinct n1ghtmar3cat style, I incorporated performance and production nods to the original.
Charles Finn’s voice is the emotive core of the song, and I wanted to capture some of his vocal attributes to recreate the feeling I get listening to him. On a performance level, Finn often glides down at the end of long-held notes, evoking feelings of anguish and resignation. I emulated this, gently dropping the pitch on the tails of sustained notes as they faded. Production-wise, Finn’s vocals are often treated with a lush quarter-note delay, giving them a silky quality that seems to enhance the feelings of isolation and loneliness. I used this delay style as a reference for my lead vocal treatment.
Building the Soundscape: Synths, Space, and Atmosphere
Instead of the original's heavy guitars and driving drums, I opted for a more atmospheric approach rooted in '80s synth-heavy pop. This involved using expansive, shimmering synths, 16th-note tremolo, deep bass, and gliding synth leads drenched in a vast reverb. The goal was to create a sense of spaciousness and fragility, mirroring the feeling of being adrift at sea portrayed in the lyrics. The key was also dropped a few semi-tones (I’d love to claim a high-level artistic reason for this, but in reality, the original vocals get pretty damn high… I can’t hit those notes!).
Throughout production, I made deliberate sound design choices to create a cold, lonely atmosphere that complements the lyrics. The intro and first verse feature sparse instrumentation, no drum beat, and a subtly layered field recording of light wind, positioning the solitary vocal track within an isolated, wintry sonic environment. As the song unfolds, the instrumental landscape expands with new layers, building tension and offering moments of release that help convey the story of the song.
Reflections on Reinterpretation
There’s something uniquely special about creating your own version of a song you've loved for many years. Going deep into the lyrics and deconstructing the original production has deepened my appreciation for "Anchors". To those composing original music, I highly recommend tackling covers of songs by great artists and writers - you’ll learn more about your own craft in the process.
💬 What's your favourite cover version of a song that completely changes the original's genre or mood? Do you prefer covers that stay faithful to the original, or ones that radically reinterpret the song? Share your thoughts!
