Spectrum Lake defines their music as dream synth-pop with progressive influences, while providing lyrics about space, science, aliens, metaphysics, and magic. They write lyrics around what the music feels like. Spectrum Lake started when Jo and Tré moved to Eugene from Florida; Tré had been writing songs in Florida, and he decided that moving here was the perfect opportunity to start making music within a band.

The band officially started two years ago and they've been through several band members before they discovered exactly what they wanted to do. They told me that this current evolution of the band is their favorite so far; They feel like they've finally managed to capture their artistic and creative vision. Throughout Jo and Tré's time in Eugene, their idea for the band has evolved, which means that certain band members simply didn't fit with their idea anymore.

Spectrum Lake is currently recording an album that should be released by the beginning of 2018. They told me about how eager they are to create new music and incorporate visuals into their album. They've been working on advancing themselves as a band and making music one of their priorities, which also includes finding a manager for them.

"We want to make music that people can dance to but also means something to them and us." *laughs* "Stuff that means stuff.” -Jo

Wyatt enjoys giving off a certain energy at shows and how performing allows him to demonstrate his feelings and emotions.

"Music is the most important part of my life." -Tré

*Cory and Tré spontaneously burst into singing the sound of silence to derail the conversation*

The act of playing music is very emotionally relieving, Tré informed me. They hope their music allows the audience to feel a spectrum of emotions, rather than other bands that only exist to put on a show. They want to evoke an emotional response rather than a mosh pit. However, they wanted to clarify that this statement isn't an attack on other Eugene bands, but a stylistic choice for their band.

The band name, Spectrum Lake, was made by Jo and Tré combining random words they liked until they arrived at Spectrum Lake. They decided to create meaning for the name afterward. "Spectrum is more of a mindset, it represents our own spiritual reality and also how we feature for the world to view its self. Aesthetically, Spectrum Lake is the sun reflecting off water producing the liquid rainbow effect." -Tré and Jo

"Figuratively, Spectrum Lake represents the idea of how a spectrum in the metaphorical sense is something that is all-inclusive and how each color holds its own identity and is respected for its own individual characteristics. In the completion of a spectrum you have an ideology that is all consuming, but at the end of the day the cool thing about spectrums is that you can apply your own meaning to it."-Tré and Jo

Cory told me the same thing he tells every journalist, 'music is life.'

Tré is terribly shy which provides some obstacles he has to overcome in the music field. He prefers to go home after shows and sit in silence to recharge himself. He doesn't play to entertain people; He plays music because he loves it and it makes him happy.

My favorite part about photographing Spectrum Lake is the huge smile Wyatt has on his face for the entire show. Occasionally, he'll get more serious, but after a few seconds, his smile has re-appeared. It's so wonderful to see musicians performing with such happiness.

"I played trumpet and learned how to play the guitar in middle school. I have a
lot of creative say in this band; I like having control over how the instruments sound. I had many musically knowledgeable friends while growing up, partly because I was a member of marching band."-Tré

Jo began playing violin when she was four, so music has always been an expectation for her. She told me that playing in Spectrum Lake has allowed her to really enjoy playing music again in a new way. She told me about how she had to prove her skills and insane musical ability to Tré before he would allow her to be a part of the band. He was also worried that things could get messy (since Tré and Jo are dating) if they played together. So far, this hasn't been an issue.

"My fondest musical moment is when we practice a new song and finally play it exactly how we want it."-Jo