theaussieword.com catches up with Sienna Wild.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
I guess for us it all began at different times, and in different ways, but basically we all come from families that love music and many of us were surrounded by musicians growing up, so that sparked our interest as little tackers! Jon and I started playing in high school and started writing straight away, initially we wanted to be the best in the school, then we wanted to write a better song than the last one, then it became about live gigs and performance, and now it is about being a genuine player in a really vibrant Melbourne rock scene and the Australian music industry that is so rich. We don’t really think of the industry as something separate, we just want to make great music, and for it to reach a lot of people. So I guess being a part of that makes us part of the music industry.
We are music nerds as well, so we grew up reading and listening an idolising musicians as our heroes, and now we are trying to make our mark like they did.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
We are motivated by ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ factors, you could say. We are always inspired by our own relationships and experiences, good or bad, and write about them accordingly. But speaking for myself (Louis) I am constantly inspired by other music, especially new artists who make me stop and Shazam their stuff or take me to a ‘place’ I hadn’t been before. I want to capture that feeling and use it in our stuff too. That’s inspiring!
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
Our goals at the moment, are to grow with every song, and every performance, and to reach as many people with our music as possible. We try to keep our goals realistic and measurable, nothing like getting caught up drinking your own bathwater, only to be swiftly shot down to Earth. This industry is good at keeping you grounded, so your goals have to be realistic and measurable, but we are also really ambitious, it’s a tough balancing act but we feel really confident about where we are and where we are going.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
We are about to embark on an Australian tour to support our new single “You Wouldn’t Know” so we are really pumped for that! We are heading to Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and then back home to Melbourne for a huge show to close out January, really exciting stuff ahead!
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
Our latest single is “You Wouldn’t Know” and it’s a cracker, if I don’t say so myself! It’s a song about a guy who’s best friend’s girlfriend is going to leave him, but his friend doesn’t know it yet cos he is too lazy and ignorant to read the signs. Basically, the narrator gets caught up in the affairs of his best friend’s relationship and terror ensues!
I would describe our music as guitar driven, indie-rock that has mass appeal but is full of dynamics and musicality. It’s music to drive and think to, something to sing and to hum to a stranger or loved one!
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
Our writing process really has evolved over a few years. At the moment we have written some really strong new songs in a similar way, starting with a chorus or a chord structure and writing as a band, filling in the melodies and the musicality as we go. In the past we have started a song with the beat and set the energy through the rhythm section, it really depends on the song and the momentum it brings with it. Lately, we have experimented with bringing in some older melodies we have had kicking around and putting them through our writing machine as band, that’s been really cool to see what happens. Horses for Courses basically!
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
No I don’t think so. It’s a cliché but ultimately the listener is in charge of where the song takes them. We provide the car, they are in the driver’s seat.
Success, what is the secret to it?
Depends how you define it, but to us we feel successful when we write a song that we love, love to play and our audience feels the same. Get better at playing and writing every day and the “fruits” will take care of themselves.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I think working with Oscar Dawson on our last EP as producer was a real highlight for us. It was a magical experience working with someone so talented and so musically intelligent, and a great honour for him to take such an interest in us and our development. We learnt so much from him and that time creating together.
Also, we played an amazing show in Sydney earlier this year that was our first real interstate show and it couldn’t have gone better. Those are two highlights we will never forget, but we are hoping to create many, many more!
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I find my greatest musical heroes really inspiring, in particular The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, these giant musical acts that were able to capture so many people’s attention and literally change the world with music. All in a world without social media, it is insane to think about now.
Then I think about new artists who have managed to make me feel connected to their music in the present day, when so much music has gone before them, like the Arctic Monkeys and The War on Drugs. It’s amazing to think new music still finds its way into your heart like the classics did, but I guess when it is good, it is good!
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
Sure are! We are always writing and trying new things, thinking about our next move! At the moment we are in the middle of rehearsing for the tour and recording demos, looking to get into the studio early 2020 and record some of the new material we are really excited about!
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
We ain’t going nowhere! We plan to be writing new songs, playing to bigger audiences and reaching as many people as we can. We see ourselves as able to really make a mark on the industry and make people sit up and listen to our music, and spread the good word!
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
I think our favourite part is sharing our experience with our fans when we play live. It is all well and good to love your own material and be excited about a new song, but does it really exist unless someone plays it loud in their car or can sing the chorus back to you?
The least favourite part of the industry is the uncertainty I feel. You can believe in what you do all you like but you are really relying on others to help you along and further your development, that can be tough and can get you down sometimes. But, it is all part of the gig! Wouldn’t change it for the world.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
There are so many awesome Australian acts! But a few would have to be Jack River, DMA’s, Holy Holy (of course!), Middle Kids, Husky and Lime Cordiale, to name a few. Really great songs and fantastic musicians!
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?
It has changed and we have even seen it change in the 4-5 years we have been actively playing and recording! I guess it means you have to be really aware of what resources are at your disposal and how to use them effectively. Bands have had to move with the times since the very start, so its nothing new, it just means the best songs and artists need the best marketing as well as everything else, otherwise they won’t get heard and no one will care about them! Sink or swim!
How do you plan on cracking the international market?
Our plan is to gain a really strong Australian following and then see where we go from there. We feel our sound isn’t an “Australian” sound, which helps our chances. Some bands sound like they are from Australia, which is not a negative thing at all, but we feel we have an international sound that can reach a wide audience no matter where they are from. So we want to be the best we can, always, and hope we can play to an overseas audience really soon, on the back of our local momentum!
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
We haven’t really so far but we would love to! I would love to work with Oscar Dawson and some of the guys in the Holy Holy team again, that was awesome! Also, number one on our list would be Paul McCartney, but I keep forgetting to call him! I think I have his number somewhere…
What advice do you give for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I say: find your sound and chase it till the end! If you don’t love it and believe in it, no one else will!
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your fans?
We can’t wait to see everyone on tour! Be ready for the ride of your life! Keep looking for our updates on our socials and we can’t wait to meet you all in the summer!
Any last words?
Keep calm and listen to Sienna Wild!
Sienna Wild Music on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
YOU WOULDN’T KNOW NATIONAL TOUR
THUR 2 JAN | FRANKIES PIZZA BY THE SLICE, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
THUR 9 JAN | CROWN & ANCHOR, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
SAT 18 JAN | RIC’S BAR, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
FRI 31 JAN | THE TOTE, COLLINGWOOD VIC | 18+