There was always an element of the improbable when it came to Passing Waves. To start, the band was born out of a chance encounter when singer/guitarist Dom Percival - having spotted a well-built, tall gentleman with Viking-esque hair on the other side of the room - approached this man, Kristian Queripel, assuming he played the bass. This assumption (based on the aforementioned physique) turned out to be true. And such were the humble beginnings of Passing Waves when the three players - joined by Dom’s long-time friend Freddie on drums - were united for the first time in a small practice room in Durham University, October 2021.

The improbability of the band’s development didn’t end there. All three players were immediately confronted with the difficulty of reconciling their - radically different - musical backgrounds: Kristian, heavy metal, Dom, indie, and Freddie, jazz. This led to a distinct mixture of success and failure over the first gigs that came trickling in from Durham’s small music scene. Some of the earliest tunes in the band’s repertoire, such as Pebble, have survived in an almost unchanged format to make it onto this album, skilfully demonstrating how the band pulled together its diverse musical roots and songwriting process. Others, such as the seven-minute, free-time, abstract, rambling, and confusing ballad named Serpent, died swiftly.

And from these opportunities to constantly test the band’s ideas in a live setting, did an original songwriting process develop. All the tunes were subjected to a somewhat decentralised ‘grilling’ process in the practice room, whereby each player could add their genre-specific knowledge without fear of criticism.

Notwithstanding, the improbability continued throughout the band’s live and studio maturing. Despite the pressure of their degrees, the band routinely met to practice and rehearse their material for the equally routine gig calendar. Such practice sessions even included a RedBull-induced all-night rehearsal, just to perfect their set list.

Even after Kristian had dropped out of the uni and moved back to his home town in Guernsey, did the band stay in touch. Determined to have a legacy, and something to mark their brief time together, the decision was made to record this album. Thus a final hallmark of the band’s improbability was brought about; and one day in early June 2023, Kristian having flown back to Durham, the band led one last rehearsal, gig and recording session.

This whole idea of improbability, however, should not negate from the effort put in by those constantly supporting Passing Waves throughout its journey. The band would like to give a special thank you to DH1 - the Durham University student label - and Fractal Nights for providing innumerable gig opportunities. The small, rust-infested river cruiser (‘The Boat’ as it was affectionately known in the band) became a second home, and many lasting memories were made there.

The biggest thank you, however, is reserved for sound-engineer, mixer, producer, fan and dear friend of the band, Samuel Shepherd. His tireless work, positive attitude and relentless attention to detail has not only allowed us to bring together this album, but has brought out the best in each member’s playing.

After two years together, countless gigs, many arguments, much elation, and one album, the band has been brought to its close. Dom graduated with first class honours in English Literature; Kristian returned to Guernsey where he continues to work (and play heavy metal); and Freddie will return to Durham in late 2024 for his final year of study.

We are distinctly reminded of the nature of impermanence, so inherent in life. Similar to the life cycle of a wave itself, the band came seemingly from nothing, and experienced a growth and decline before dissipating in random directions. This album is not a mourning of what has been lost: it is instead a celebration of our seemingly improbable time together, and an acceptance of this impermanence. We hope that all listening may themselves find something in this celebration.

‘What is there more unruly than the sea, with its winds, its tornadoes, and its tempests? And yet in what department of her works has Nature been more seconded by the ingenuity of man than in this, by his inventions of sails and of oars?’ Pliny the Elder