Better Than Ever , The Wrecks
Photo credit Natalie Hewitt
Today is release day for The Wrecks second album ‘Sonder’ and the band are so glad that fans can hear what they have been working on throughout the lockdowns and pandemic. The ‘Sonder’ album is the follow up album to 2020’s ‘Infinitely Ordinary’ and the handful of EP’s the band released in early years. The band have just kicked off their ‘Better Than Ever’ tour in the US, a tour the band are hoping to bring downunder in the near future. We spoke to The Wrecks Vocalist/Producer, Nick Anderson about the new album, the highs and lows of touring and the bands eagerness to play any festival offered.
For those that haven’t had the privilege to hear your music before, how do you describe The Wrecks sound?
Somewhere between indie rock, pop-punk, and alternative.
“It’s quite the emotional rollercoaster when your girlfriend has a fiancé”
You have just released 'Where Are You Now', tell us about your new song? What does the song mean to you?
The song follows my journey of coping and closure while falling deeper and deeper in love with someone who had promised their love to someone else. It’s quite the emotional rollercoaster when your girlfriend has a fiancé.
What do you hope the listener takes away from listening to 'Where Are You Now'?
I hope they take away from it whatever they need. If they need a good cry, great. I saw people saying it made them cry. I didn’t think it was even a sad song. But looking back at it, I guess the lyrics are pretty sad. Huh. On that same point, if people wanna dance, dance baby, dance. That’s the beauty of music, I say.
The new album 'Sonder' is set for release on the 10th of June, what can fans expect or look forward to?
11 new songs. Lil’ somethin’ for e’ryone.
What made you decide on Sonder for the title of the album?
It felt like it fit thematically with the lyrical content of the record.
Who came up with the concept for the new album? Any memorable moments during the making of it?
The catalyst for this record was a break-up last summer. The majority of songs on this record are about that separation. It was mostly an isolated, lonely process to write and produce this, but the few songs I was lucky enough to collaborate with friends on were very fun to make.
Off Sonder are there any stand-out songs or songs that are particularly special to you personally?
I honestly hold each song pretty close to my heart, but lately “Unholy” has been my favorite. It changes everyday.
You are beginning your 'Better Than Ever' tour also in June. Are you excited to be able to get out and showcase your new material to audiences?
It starts on the 9th of June in Fresno and I couldn’t be more excited. We’ll be on stage in Fresno when the album comes out at 9pm PST, so that will be a pretty wild way to celebrate.
“The adrenaline rush during shows is the most redeeming factor. It makes a lot of the difficult parts seem worth it. ”
What's your Favourite thing about touring and being on the road?
The adrenaline rush during shows is the most redeeming factor. It makes a lot of the difficult parts seem worth it.
What's the worst part about touring and being on the road?
I hate losing my voice on tour. It typically only happens when I stay out too late after a show and talk too much and too loudly. Next comes a day or two or three of vocal rest where I’m not allowed to speak to anyone. It can feel really isolating and depressing, so I’m going to try to avoid such scenarios this time around.
Any plans in the future to bring the tour to Australia?
That’s what I’m hoping this interview will help us do! We have been dying to get over there since we first started touring and it’d be a dream come true. Hopefully we can get the word spread down under.
“We’ll take all the festivals we can get”
Lots of music acts are joining the festival circuits in between their own shows, does The Wrecks have any festival ambitions or plans for the future?
We’re playing Summerfest midway through our tour, which will be our biggest festival stage to date! We’ll take all the festivals we can get. Yeah, gimme those festivals. All of them. Any of ‘em. We’lllllll take ‘em.
How did you get your start in music?
My grandma taught me how to properly play the C-major scale on a piano when I was in second grade.
Do you play a part in the production side of your music?
Yes. I produce like 95% of our music, occasionally enlisting help from producer friends of mine if I feel like a song needs some extra sauce.
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
Cage the Elephant, Grouplove, Pixies, Weezer, Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Macklemore, The Vines (writers of ['Ride'] on the soundtrack of 'Diary Of A Wimpy Kid', Thor Freudenthal's 2010 film-adaptation of Jeff Kinney's fictional book series of the same name, and Cake.
You collaborated with girlhouse's Lauren Luiz for 'Where Are You Now', who else would you like to join forces with? Who would your ultimate Collab Partner/s be?
Lizzy McAlpine. She’s my favorite artist at the moment and my hope is to put that out into the universe in every interview I can in hopes of manifesting a collaboration.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Lida. ‘Cuz she helps me with all of my interviews. Sometimes I get very overwhelmed by email interviews, especially ones with lots of nonspecific questions, but she makes it possible and fun.
What's in the pipeline for The Wrecks? What are the short term and long term goals for the band?
A short term goal is to put together a great live show for this summer’s tour. Long term, opening for Keith Urban on a worldwide tour.
Interview by Michelle Symes
June 2022