Pop Is Dead

Wavves Interview by Davetate

A lot of people have said a lot of things about Nathan Williams. More often cited for his notoriety than his music, there’s something very wrong. With their lo-fi, surf punk sound, Wavves should have been hailed as the fresh change from all the grand almost operatic indie ( i’m looking at you Grizzly Bear), but a few too many pills coupled with a festival crowd secured Williams a reputation as a dick. Not so, i say. In the brief few moments i spent in the company of Nathan, he seemed a pretty cool guy, not at all afflicted with the traits of this internet caricature. During our little chat, we managed to dispel some of the confusion floating around the blogosphere, as well as find out some new bits and bobs (studio recorded album anyone?).

First of all, how’s Zach? How long will he be out for?

Nathan:Me and Zach just did a tour together and a record together. We’ll probably play a couple of one-off shows and stuff like that, but he’s in like, 6 other bands, so I don’t expect him any time soon. I don’t know how long until his hand’s better. It’s like a hairline fracture and a broken knuckle…

Are you planning to do another record with these guys?

N: Yeah, at the beginning of next year

Do you think for the next record you might get in the studio and have more of a produced sound?

N: Yeah. We’re going to record at a place called…….

Stephen: Sweet Tea

N: Yeah Sweat Tea, in Oxford Mississippi.

Have you started writing for the next record?

N: Some of it. Maybe… half of it…… and then….. Yeah about half of it.

How’s the tour going?

S: Pretty good

N: We’re only 5 days into it, but you know

How’re you finding it in the Uk in general?

N: It’s cold. But yeah, it’s alright

There’ve been rumours about you and Beth from Best Coast? Anything going on there?

N: About me and Best Coast?

Yeah, a lot of people are saying you two are going out?

N: I watch her cat at the weekends…? We’ve known each other since we were like 16 so…

What’s your favourite Wu-Tang Clan song of all time?

N: Errrr….. My favourite Wu-Tang Clan song of all time is probably Cream. Actually you know what, Triumph is up there too

Was this a plan for these guys to come on tour with you, or…?

N: No, they’ve played 5 shows with me and 1 practice.

S: He called me on the Thursday night, and we flew out on the Friday, so it’s pretty…I thought I was done with touring.

So, what’s with Goths?

N: Just a word

No meaning behind it?

N: Absolutely no meaning behind it.

We were going to ask Zach this, obviously before we found out he wouldn’t be here. Any more news on the Hella reunion?

N: I’ve no idea. I think they’re playing when his hand gets better.

Do you enjoy writing more than touring?

N: Oh yeah, definitely. I can write in front of the T.v with a Bong.  First and foremost I like writing and recording records. I think most artists do. Touring is fun, but….

S: Touring is not comfortable

N: Touring is not comfortable

Was touring with Jay harder than with Wavves?

S: Yeah, but I don’t really wanna say anything about Jay.

What sort of music are you listening to most now?

N: I’ve been listening to the new Raekwon Only Built part 2 in the car, and The Seventh Seal… And for some reason a bunch of Lady Gaga, I dunno why but…

S: MTV

N: MTV yeah we been watching MTV like Uk Top 40 Hits…

S: Mostly HipHop…

N: Mostly HipHop…

Do you the think the internet, blogs n stuff has been unfair towards you in particular and the band in general..? Seems to be a lot of bitchin’ going on…

N: Nah I don’t think it really matters, if people are talking, they’ll talk so… Theres nothing you can do about it anyways… to worry about it would just be trivial and stupid…

You grew up in a musical household, did that influence you a lot..?

N: Yeah it definitely did, my mum teaches music and my parents where in a band so….

How do you find playing with the other guys is different to before?

N: Oh just, it actually sounds better, sounds a lot better I think, its more fun, it’s just something different you know, plus Im not very good at guitar so.. just to have drums and guitar is…

S: I’m not very good at Bass but… if you put them together then…

N: It almost amounts to like one okay musician when we’re combined…

S: And I’ve never gotten to sing before…

N: That helps a lot actually…

S: I wouldn’t do backup vocals with Jay … Jays music was more like… aggressive so I was angry while I was playing and I would just scream, If I tried to do back up vocals Id just like AGHHH and it would just sound like a hardcore band..

So what’s the difference playing with some like Jay rather than Wavves..? Is it a lot more easy-going?

S: It’s easy going… but… I dunno it’s completely different, like I still get a lot of energy when I’m on stage, like just makes you go insane for like 30 minutes. But with Jay like the music was so aggressive like the meaning behind all the music would just make you angry… I would like get out all my anger in those 30 minutes… And now its just kind of… It’s not anger, it’s different its more positive energy…

N: we’re on a nice vibe… a real nice one…

Yeah, people have been asking if you think the next album might be more optimistic..?

N: No… If anything it’s a little more… I dunno

S: I don’t know anything about the new album…

N: I dunno, it’s not done yet, maybe it’ll be optimistic, I’ll sing about lollipops and rainbows ‘n shit…

=Dave=

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