Five Questions with Maryn Pegan of The Space Between

Interview by Jason Setnyk | Photo by Laura Collins

Ottawa, Ontario – The Space Between has stormed onto the Ottawa music scene with a string of sold-out shows and a highly anticipated self-titled EP set to release on June 23. The power trio, drawing comparisons to renowned groups like Tool and Mammoth WVH, has just dropped their explosive music video for the single “Your Excuses,” leaving fans clamoring for more.

The debut EP from The Space Between is a testament to their hard-hitting sounds and aggressive guitar work. Packed with bangers that leave listeners breathless, this five-track collection takes audiences on a whirlwind journey through themes of life, death, growth, regret, and self-preservation. Showcasing exceptional musicianship, articulate riffs, and soaring melodies, the EP was recorded at Ottawa’s esteemed Audio Valley Recording Studios, engineered by the talented Steve Foley (known for his work with Chad Kroeger, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Flo-rida), and co-produced by Foley and The Space Between.

Earlier this year, the group released four captivating singles: “Your Excuses,” “Time,” “The Cage,” and “So Happy.” Each track showcased The Space Between’s unique blend of hard rock and metal, captivating listeners with their visceral energy and raw talent.

To celebrate the EP’s release, The Space Between will be hosting a special release show on June 24th at Cafe Dekcuf, nestled in the heart of Ottawa. The night promises to be a spectacle of epic proportions, with support from the electrifying Varitones. Fans and music enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating this memorable event, which is sure to solidify The Space Between’s place among Ottawa’s most promising acts.

Formed in 2022, The Space Between has already established itself as a force to be reckoned with. With their explosive energy and commanding stage presence, frontwoman and vocalist Maryn Pegan, guitarist James Shaheen, and drummer Tom Sergi captivate audiences with their showmanship. Maryn Pegan answered the following questions in an interview with The Seeker.

Five Questions with The Seeker

1 – What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

“All three of us have different things that make music important in our lives, but for myself, I think that what makes me feel most passionate about music is the ability it has to connect with others. Being the band’s lyricist and having based the vast majority of my lyrics on personal experiences, it’s encouraging to know that what I write resonates with people. I’ve always connected with songs through lyrics – sometimes there are songs that you feel were made for you because they reflect so closely what you’re feeling – and being able to give that outlet to others is special.”

2 – Describe your creative process when you write new music.

“In general, Tom and James start by jamming to come up with a hook for the song we’re working on. Once we find a hook, usually in the form of a guitar riff, we look at the general structure of the song and try to get a skeleton from front to back; from there, I write the melody and lyrics to fit. Of course, there’s the occasional time when the process is switched around, but we’ve found that this is what works best for us. We all contribute and edit through each step, making it a true team effort.”

3 – What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

“We all have different processes, but I think that the three of us spending time with each other and decompressing right before the show is what we have in common – making jokes, talking through important moments in the set, distracting ourselves with conversation. Personally, I make sure to take good care of my voice and body before a show, which includes drinking tea, steaming my vocal cords, and doing a good warm-up; that usually lessens the anxiety, knowing that I did all I could to make sure I was as prepared as can be.”

4 – Tell us about your last album or an upcoming album you started writing/recording.

“We’ve got our debut EP coming out on June 23rd! We’ve been working on some of the songs for this since 2019, so we’re super happy it’s finally coming out; the lyrics take the listener through themes of growth and decay, and we’re proud of the product we’ve been able to produce. We’re already working on our next release, a full-length album, and are looking to finish the writing throughout the summer.”

5 – Tell us about an upcoming concert or tour.

“We’ve got our EP release party coming up on June 24th, which is our next hometown show; we’re really excited to share our new EP with our fans and friends. After that, our next big thing is a Halloween fundraising festival that we’re throwing. We’re still locking down some details, so we can’t say too much, but it’ll be a big event; we’ve got a bunch of awesome local bands on the bill, and we’re supporting a fantastic Ottawa-based charity.”

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