Introducing Shell Pink, the project of Los Angeles–based musician, producer, and songwriter Josh Rheault, whose music is defined by movement, reflection and the constant pace of life. Originally from Massachusetts, Rheault’s journey west to study audio engineering was the necessary catalyst behind years of touring, experimenting and gradually carving out his own sound. You can hear the result of all this soul-searching in his newest EP, titled Rogue Waves, which is soaked in a sunny yet intimate feeling. Over four poignant tracks, we’re taken on a voyage of dreamy textures, vulnerable lyrics and drifting emotions that mimics to the ebb-and-flow of tidal movements that have so inspired Rheault. It’s that combination of calm and storm, of gratitude and overwhelm, of blistering heat and soothing cool that calls out most to us. Like a piece of sea glass found on the shore, this EP shows the marks of its turbulent past, but in the end, it’s a beautiful piece of unique treasure. Without further ado, let’s dive into our conversation with Shell Pink who reflects on songwriting with honesty, being surrounded by L.A.’s many dualities, and the deeply human pulse at the heart of Rogue Waves.
For those who aren’t already familiar with Shell Pink, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Josh Rheault. I’m a musician, producer, songwriter, and the artist behind Shell Pink. I grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Los Angeles after high school to study audio engineering. That move opened the door to touring and, over time, helped me shape my sound. Shell Pink is really the result of all those experiences blending together into one place.
Rogue Waves was born from a time of gratitude and overwhelm. How do those opposites come through in the songs?
Some songs came from moments that felt heavy and chaotic, while others came from feeling lucky and thankful. I guess to stick with the ocean metaphors… sometimes you’re riding a wave loving life and other times it’s crashing down on you, holding you under water. That is pretty much the vibe haha.
How do you retain real-life vulnerability throughout the creative process? I really try to keep things simple and not hide too much behind big ideas. If a lyric feels a little uncomfortable, that usually means it’s real.
The EP uses a lot of ocean and water metaphors. What does that symbolise for you?
I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. It can be glassy and calm, choppy and violent, and everything in between, which feels like life. I think the water metaphors probably help me say things I might not know how (or want) to say too directly.
Has living in Los Angeles influenced this EP or your overall approach to music?
Definitely. I love LA but it is a wild place. It’s warm, sunny and full of life but at the same time can feel kind of dark and isolating. I have lived here a long time and have learned to appreciate this city for everything that it is. No matter where I am, my environment always finds its way into the music that I make.
There are themes of identity, love and self-reflection. Which is easiest and hardest to write about?
Love is the easiest for me to write about because it’s such a clear, instinctive feeling and doesn’t need a lot of overthinking. Self-reflection comes pretty naturally too, since it’s just me trying to be honest about where I’m at. Identity is the hardest, because it’s always shifting. I think we are all constantly figuring out and learning who we are and putting that into words takes time.
Your production has a dreamy, sun-soaked feel. What techniques help you get that sound?
Thanks, I like the term sun-soaked. Honestly, it’s mostly just soft warm pads underneath everything, way too much reverb, and just enough saturation to make everything feel a little crispy. I’m not big on super polished “perfect” sounding recordings, I like things to stay a bit more homemade sounding. I try to get the song to feel more like a memory or overall vibe rather than a perfect snapshot or moment in time, if that makes sense. The production has so much to do with creating that.
What’s one piece of tech, software or instrument you couldn’t make music without?
The OP-1 from Teenage Engineering. Even though I only use like 10% of what this little guy can do, it’s been such an inspiring piece of gear. I think I’ve used it on every Shell Pink song so far. I literally never leave home without it!
Which song was the most challenging to finish? And why?
Weird Fish was probably the toughest to finish. The demo came together quickly, but getting the production right took a while. The bass and drums kept sounding too clean, so my friend and producer Jon Joseph (who also mixed this EP) and I spent a lot of time figuring out how to treat them until they finally felt alive and right for the song. The bass and drums are really the driving force right from the top of the EP so we knew we had to get that right.
What’s next now that Rogue Waves is out?
More writing, more recording, and hopefully playing these songs live soon. Just trying to keep things moving over here!
You can listen to opening track ‘Weird Fish’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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