THE WAGS
(The Wags are on the latest International Pop Overthrow CD(“Volume 14), which you can purchase HERE)
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- PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your new project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
The Wags are an Irish band who specialise in loud guitars, melody and harmony, but not necessarily in that order! Basically it is Paul McCann (vocals/guitars) and myself (vocals/bass), and a host of others who help out live and in the studio. Paul and I have been friends for many years and decided about 3/4 years ago to write songs together, more as an experiment, to see if it would work. We liked the results and have continued up to this point. We have released a 5 track ep entitled ‘Pugilism’ and a 12 track eponymous album. We are currently recording with Duncan Maitland in the producer’s seat. Duncan is a brilliant talent, who was formerly in Irish bands such as Picturehouse and Pugwash, and has recorded with XTC. He also has a great album out called ‘Lullabies for the 21st century’. Hopefully these new recordings will see the light of day soon.
Playing live we get great feedback, and have gigged with Nelson Bragg of the Brian Wilson Band, Pugwash, Duncan Maitland, Slumberjet, and a host of others. We have also appeared at the Liverpool IPO in 2009 and 2011. At these shows, lots of people have told us how much they enjoyed our work. We like to think that they have great taste!
- The Recording Process – there are so many interesting ways that music projects coming into being these days compared with what artists encountered years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
Well the first part I suppose is the song writing. We credit everything to the two of us (Paul McCann/Brendan Scott), although sometimes these songs may be written separately or together. We work every way really, a song may be totally completed by one of us bar a line or two of lyric or a few passing chords, which the other person will fill in. We also sit down with a small idea from one of us and write them from there. Or sometimes one of us will have a piece of music that the other will write a lyric/melody to. In terms of song writing, you have to trust the other person, or you are lost from the start. We are lucky to be in this position, so the song gets the attention it requires to make it the best we can make it.
For the songs we are recording now, we went to Duncan Maitland, our producer, for some pre-production, where Duncan made some suggestions and alterations. Then we went into Ashville Studio not far outside Dublin, run by the lovely Frank McGing, to record the drums, performed brilliantly by Arnie McGovern. Since then we have been recording piecemeal, both in Duncan’s house and Paul’s house, building up the tracks. We just have to finish the backing vocals now and we will be ready to mix.
The obstacles are really those of our own making really. We all have jobs and lives outside music, so to get to the point where all three of us are able to commit to recording can take some organising! Also, as these recordings are self-financed, that can be tricky also, although I would highly recommend Duncan and Frank to work with, both very talented and lovely guys.
- Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?
No one track in particular, we like them all! Although the track which is on the latest IPO compilation, ‘Rhubarb Rupert’, isn’t especially indicative of our sound in general, we are very fond of it, as it is a quirky little thing which was a lot of fun to record. That was written by Paul and his brother Mark, who also handles our artwork.
- As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of them helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
Firstly, I must say that I think a lot of the problems facing the music industry are the fault of the record companies. The greed and arrogance of the record industry was always going to come back and bite them eventually. Although I do think that it’s a huge shame that small acts who are not selling records will be dropped after their first album, as the big bands aren’t selling enough to support the smaller ones. I mean, would Nick Drake have gotten the chance to make ‘Bryter Layter’ or ‘Pink Moon’ in today’s musical and financial climate? That said, the internet is obviously a great tool, not only for getting your music out there, but also to get in contact with other musicians, organise gigs etc.
- Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ might look like? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits?
In terms of what the future of music enjoyment may look like, I don’t really know, nor do I really care! I listen to music my way, and no trend will change that, or the way that we write or record. I work from home a lot, and always have music playing as I do so. In fact Bergen White’s ‘For Women Only’, is playing as I type! For me, listening to music is a very personal thing, so I listen to music a lot when I work, read, and drive. That said, I do have an ipod, which makes life a lot easier in the car, as I can listen to anything while on the road.
- So many artists are wrestling with different ways to approach the recording process now – I would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them. Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
We will probably put the tracks we are working on at the moment out as an ep, and see where it goes from there. One thing that I really love to see now are artists who release their music on vinyl and also give you the means to download the record digitally as well so you can put it on your ipod. I prefer to listen to vinyl when I’m at home, but if in the car etc, the ipod will suffice! That’s a really good idea which shows some of the thinking that the record companies should have indulged in a decade ago. It is great to see vinyl coming back in the way it is.
- What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?
Just continue to chip away, believe in yourself and never worry about what other people think. We’re never going to be superstars, so please yourself first and foremost. Don’t second guess yourself, that can lead to creative paralysis.
- Okay – time for some light humor: Spinal Tap Moment – dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us! 😀
Well my ‘special trauma’ was getting beer kegs thrown at us at a pub gig one night! They were empty kegs and we hadn’t started playing yet, but our gear got pretty thrashed. The pub refused to serve some guy as he was a troublemaker and he promptly proved them correct by smashing our gear! It’s funny now, but at the time it was quite a shock!
9. Is there a particular musician you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
Paul and I are having a great time working with Duncan Maitland. A great musician and guy, he shares a lot of our interests and we always come away from every session laughing, which is how it should be, I think. We would also love to work with Jason Falkner, as everything he touches seems to turn to gold. We’re massive fans, not only of his own solo records and his albums with Jellyfish, The Grays and TV Eyes, but also of his session work with Daniel Johnson, Air, Anne Soldaat, Brendan Benson, Eric Matthews, Beck, Macca etc etc etc, the list is endless! That he can play anything is a huge bonus. We could just go to his studio and drink tea while he made our record for us!
10. Advance apologies: the ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust me!)
When I started out in music, around the age of 12/13, I was obsessed with AC/DC and Aerosmith, and a lot of the hard rock stuff, but I soon softened up in my tastes. My tastes now are very varied, but they range from Miles Davis and Billie Holliday to Led Zeppelin and everything in-between. But the music that I listen to most and which has most influenced my song writing (and certainly arrangements) are all of the obvious ones I’m afraid – Beatles, Beach Boys, Byrds, Big Star, Bowie, Falkner, Left Banke, Zombies, Beck, Eels, Air, Monkees. Basically, melodic pop, occasionally with a twist. As to why I like this music the most, I really cannot say, it just resonates with me in a way that nothing else does.
In terms of top 5 records, it’s a tough one! But here goes …
5) Jason Falkner – ‘Author Unknown’
4) David Bowie – ‘Low’
3) The Kinks – ‘Are The Village Green Preservation Society’
2) The Beatles – ‘Revolver’ (although it could be any from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road)
1) The Beach Boys – ‘SMiLE’ (with an honourable shout out to Brian’s version)
Now this list could be different if you ask me tomorrow, but that’s my list as of today. In terms of Beatles vs Beach Boys, I think The Beatles made more better records than The Beach Boys, but SMiLE trumps them all. So The Beatles would be my favourite band, but SMiLE my favourite album, if that makes any sense.
If you were to ask Paul what his top 5 records are, they would probably be totally different to mine, which is one of our strengths I think, that our tastes can be quite different and we bring different things to the table in terms of influences, song writing, arrangements etc.
11. We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases from 2011 or anything that strikes you hard already in 2012?
Well, obviously the ‘SMiLE Sessions’, extraordinary music from the genius himself (who, thanks to Nelson Bragg, I met last year!). John Grant’s ‘Queen of Denmark’ I thought was great also. Air’s new album, ‘Le Voyage Dans La Lune’ is a return to form, Pete Molinari, ‘A train bound for glory’, Eels’ last few records, ‘End Times’ and ‘Tomorrow Morning’ are great too. Some of these may not be 2011, but that is when they appeared on my radar. Also, great recent Irish records by Slumberjet (self titled) and the aforementioned Duncan Maitland are never far away from the cd player.
12. Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I always am asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s yr main gig?!’ ;-P
By trade I am an historian. I have a PhD in sixteenth century Irish religious history. I lecture part time in an Irish university and write history books and edit history journals etc. I also give public lectures etc and used to work in a museum, until the financial downturn over here scuppered a lot of that. But I’m getting on pretty well, considering. Paul works in insurance. We also play in covers bands and wedding bands on the weekends.
13. We’re taking an informal PGH poll of all musicians: Do you own a IPad, Kindle or Nook – or don’t give a rip? Any thoughts on what reading books looks like to you?
As I have said, I own an ipod, which I love, but don’t have anything else. I’m a bit of a luddite when it comes to books. I prefer to own books. I like the look of them and the smell and feel of them. That said, as space becomes an issue in my house, I may have to revise this policy!
14. Okay, last question: Where can we learn more about your music and any other releases you have?
We have a myspace page which is pretty obsolete now, along with myspace in general, so it is probably best to check us out on facebook and live clips and album tracks on youtube.
