Wolf People have been on our radar for a while, and their infectious blend of fuzz rock and folkish melodies feature prominently on their sophomore effort 'Fain'. Following the recent release of 'Fain' and their sold out show at The Sebright Arms in London, it was a pleasure catching up with the band.
So, you sold out! How was the Sebright Arms show?
It was honestly one of the most enjoyable nights we’ve ever had playing in front of people. We’ve been away for a while so it’s good to know that people still want to come and watch us, and are interested in hearing new stuff.
You also headlined ‘Detestival’ which boasted an absolutely stellar lineup? Any pressure playing that show or was it another day at the office?
Oh, that was massive for us. We’ve been a long time away from regular gigs so it was a really big deal to do that. We were around for most of the evening and the rest of the bands were amazing. Going on after Bo Ningen and Wet Nuns was very daunting, but it was really enjoyable.
The strange thing about Destival was that we were probably the quietest thing on all day, and we’re pretty damn loud.
And how exactly does one get Stewart Lee to write their press release?
He’d written some reviews and been to see us a few times. Joe and I especially are massive fans of his so we were amazed that he seemed interested in what we were doing. Then Tom at the label decided to see if he’d write a press release and he pretty much wrote an essay on the band!
Fain is out later this month, did you have a clear idea of what you wanted before going into the studio or was the record put together/evolved in the studio?
All the songs were well rehearsed before we started the recordings, we had to do it that way because our time and resources were so limited, we couldn’t afford to waste time. We spent about 6 days in Joe’s house in Yorkshire recording in his living room, without headphones, which was amazing fun but was quite a struggle to sort out and mix afterwards. Then we added and changed stuff over the next few months.
Haha! I think you mean isolated! It was Joe’s house which is a lovely cosy little place, not desolated at all, but it is quite far from any other houses so it was perfect for making loud noise until late at night. We didn’t want to record in a studio because we wanted it to be enjoyable and relaxed (and cheap!) and Joe’s house was perfect for that.
Other than musical influences, what are Wolf People’s biggest influences?
I love wildlife and birds in particular, and I read a lot about British folklore, both of those things seep into the lyrics and probably effect the music to a degree.
Other than that, good food and beer is a driving force in the band, maybe not an influential one, but certainly motivational.
As a preference, touring or recording (?) and why?
For me, recording. I think the others would probably say touring.
I love playing live, but I never feel like I’m doing enough creatively on tour, you waste a lot of time and energy travelling and waiting. I’ve tried and failed to be more productive on tour, but you generally just need to get as much sleep as humanly possible!
Nothing beats the sense of achievement you get when you know you’ve recorded something good.
Any band members with terrible tour habits?
We’re a pretty good bunch really. I worked out who snores very early on and I now avoid sharing rooms with them. Other than that and the incessant farting, it’s all good.
Every band we know, has at least one slightly odd or fascinating experience whilst on tour, be it playing a very odd town, or driving 12 hours to play to somebody’s grandma. Oddest or most fascinating tour experience in Wolf People thus far?
We played in an old slaughterhouse in Germany once, and the accommodation was in the venue. It was the bar managers birthday and he basically insisted that we stay up drinking with him and the bar staff all night. They fed us a load of shots then bought out shopping trolleys which they span us around in for hours. Never felt so sick in our lives.
Your album is called Fain? Any particular reason?
It’s an old English word that means gladly or with joy. We just like to play and write, that’s the only reason we keep doing it, so we thought that word summed up quite neatly what our motivation is.
Your personal favourite track/moment from Fain and why?
My personal favourite is Thief, because it was the hardest to make and it felt like we wouldn’t ever get it finished. We had to record it in sections because it’s in three different keys and tunings.
Can you give us a heads up on some of the lesser known bands in your area you’ve played with/you know of that people should know about?
We are touring with Baron, who are brilliant. They have an album just out.
Also, some friends who helped with the album have started a new folk group, Stick in the Wheel. For me, they’re one of the most exciting things I’ve heard in a long time!
Moonlight on Vermont by Beefheart would be good. I’d probably have to be some weird necromancer character because I don’t have any muscles. ‘Spaghetti Witch’? As you can tell I’m not good with names.
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| Despite my in depth googling, I could not find a suitable image for "Spaghetti Witch" |
I don’t really have any, music has always been my hobby. Maybe bird-watching.
What is your favourite movie soundtrack?
Psychomania.
And lastly, an odd Wolf People fact please?
The ‘Wolf’ in ‘Wolf People’ is silent. Most people pronounce it wrong.
Well, that's it folks, get over to Wolf People's Facebook for all the latest going ons in the band. Their new album 'Fain' is out now on Jagjaguwar and they still have a bunch of dates left on their tour, so catch them while you can.
Thu 23 - PIAS Nite at La Fleche D'Or, Paris, France
Fri 24 - Zurich Kinski Klub, Switzerland
Sat 25 - Brussels VK, Belgium
Mon 27 - Gebäude 9, Cologne, Germany
Tue 28 - White Trash, Berlin, Germany
Wed 29 - Molotow, Hamburg, Germany
Thu 30 - Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Fri 31 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
JUNE
Sat 1 - Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Mon 3 - Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London, UK
