theaussieword.com catches up with Go Wolf for an exclusive Aussie interview!
What can you tell our readers about you? How and where did it all begin?
Scott: Chris & I met at a poetry reading in a barbershop in Belfast. There was an immediate connection between us, which grew as we started to write music together. We got Steve our drummer on board a few months later and have spent the last two years refining our sound. We describe it simply as ‘pop music’ – indie pop that is as likely to be influenced by Beyoncé as Talking Heads.
What had you first interested in music?
Scott: My family isn’t overly musical per se, but the radio was always on, my mum loved Elvis. As a teenager I was obsessed with bands like The Strokes and The Stills, there was an escapism and a sexiness to them that I’d not seen before, and which lead me to a lot of bands that were before my time like Talking Heads, Television.
Scott: My family isn’t overly musical per se, but the radio was always on, my mum loved Elvis. As a teenager I was obsessed with bands like The Strokes and The Stills, there was an escapism and a sexiness to them that I’d not seen before, and which lead me to a lot of bands that were before my time like Talking Heads, Television.
Who motivates or influences your quest to make great music?
Scott: Artists whose creative efforts defy the genre that made their name, people like Questlove, David Byrne, Damon Albarn, James Murphy. Anyone who keeps moving, artistically.
Do you have any planned tours coming up?
Scott: It’s all in the pipeline at the moment, hopefully a few dates in England soon, maybe the U.S before the year is out. Australia if you’ll have us!
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
Scott: At least one album, a body of work we can put our name to and say ‘this is what Go Wolf is.’ More extensive touring.
What can fans expect from you in the coming months?Scott: We’ve just released our new single ‘One More Night’ with a video directed by Babysweet. There will be another single coming soon after, with another video. We’re trying to get it out in time for Summer, it’s definitely warm weather music!
Success, what is the secret to it and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?
Scott: For me, the highlight so far has been having a track on the last Kitsune compilation record. It was nice to have a taste-making label affirming what we’re doing. Although that maybe doesn’t equate to success; for me success, and the secret to it, is chasing down the exact sound we aimed to produce from the start. I guess that’s why I’m happiest in the studio.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
Scott: Anyone doing their own thing on their own terms. Rick Rubin, St. Vincent, Chance the Rapper.
How would you best describe you and your music to your fans?
Scott: Pop music with Indie sensibilities. Earnest. Sensual. Big. Intimate. Danceable. Emotional. 80’s meets 90’s meets 00’s.
What can you tell us about your latest album?
Scott: Our debut album is 7/10ths finished. It will hopefully see the light of day sooner rather than later. We’ve dropped as many songs as we’ve ever kept, so listeners can expect a sonically and thematically cohesive piece of work.
Are there any new exciting projects in the works?
Scott: I’ve written a garage-y track with Ryan Vail that will hopefully get a release soon. I’m very excited about that, as it’s different to Go Wolf, and features amazing vocals from Rosie Carney. Hannah, our keys player, is about to release an Ep of acapellas in support of No More Traffik, an anti-slavery charity. That’s pretty badass, I think.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?Scott: Interesting question, but I feel like our answer is slightly irrelevant. I’ll still be making music, searching for that perfect track. Whether people are still listening is a different matter!
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
Scott: Chela, The Preatures, Chet Faker, Cub Sport.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Scott: I guess if we tried to get our heads around it entirely, the industry could be quite jading. So we just try and enjoy what is happening in the moment, making our shows as much of an emotional connection with the crowd as possible, writing and recording great music. And above all, enjoying the privilege of playing music with such great musicians and friends.