Whenwolves‘ latest song Chin Up! is an euphoric, guitar centric indie rock anthem that skillfully incorporates the acoustic sound of the piano, featuring an irresistible melodic riff that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Read our discussion below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
The music of Whenwolves can be described as “experimental pop/rock.” Norms are subverted but it retains its familiarity I think.
Tell us a few things about Chin Up!. What is the main idea behind it?
“Chin Up!” is a personal favorite off of the EP for me and by far the newest song. In a nutshell, it’s about knowing you oughta be stretching your comfort zone but under the watchful eyes of the people in your life, it isn’t easy! (i.e. hey chin up, kid! At least the walls are watching!
What was the inspiration behind your upcoming EP’s title, Recon for the Weirdos? Tell us a few things about it.
The “recon” the “weirdos” mentioned in the title of the EP are hoping for is on “coolness” and “what makes the cool kids cool.” The title came to me at a music festival I attended. I cannot remember which one but I just was having that inebriated paranoia with that feeling of being a weirdo amongst a group of cool and “together” people. I’m always way too deep in my head about this sort of thing but I think it’s a common thought to have… ”these are hip, beautiful people — what are they doing that I am not doing?”
How do you approach balancing the creative and business sides of music as an independent artist?
When it comes to the dissemination of recorded music, I have long since accepted the wave of the future. Monetization off of streaming seems pretty much impossible and digital downloads are dwindling. The only ways to make anything off of being a musician is gigging, selling merch, and/or possibly getting a licensing sync somewhere. But the real key to an upward trajectory in this business is to rub shoulders with likeminded people on your local scene! It’s important to recognize that we ALL can succeed and it is not the dog-eat-dog zero-sum game out there that some are convinced it is. I want to help your band and just maybe, you will want to help mine when it’s time.
Adding to our previous question, what is the biggest challenge(s) you have faced as an artist?
Whenwolves is not my first musical project ever. The last musical project I started just didn’t feel at all like the music I made during the pandemic lockdown era so I felt like it was time to restart from bupkis. It’s not as easy to get anyone to care about a brand new project when there is literally zero brand recognition. But like anything else, perseverance is the only way.
Favourite album of the past year?
I would feel like a fool not to say A Light for Attracting Attention by Radiohead-offshoot The Smile. Wet Leg was a game-changer as well.
When was the last time you said to yourself to Chin up?
I probably should do it more often than I have! But I just had a little break-up a few weeks ago that depressed me until I accepted it was the right thing. My chin went so far up!
A song you are secretly obsessed with?
“Fall in Love” by Phantogram is not quite old enough to be “cool” but it is so incredible. I discovered it way after the masses, so it’s even cooler to watch people sing along when I play it whenever I get the aux cable.
Thank you!
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