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Q&A: Wolf Gang By Andrea Narvaez on December 7, 2010
If you haven't listened to the British singer-songwriter, Wolf Gang, let him blow you away with his single "Lions in Cages". This song has made it's mark in the blogosphere and with indie lover's playlists since it's release in late Fall. What has hooked fans to Wolf Gang's sound, is the expansive and entrancing soundscape arrangement. This guy's got something, and it will have anyone who takes a first listen catch their stride, feeling like they can take on their stomping grounds and beyond. I caught Wolf Gang (real name Max McElligott) for some words, making interesting points on the story behind the artist's name, his band, some favorite musical picks from 2010, and things we can all look forward to from the enthusiast and buzzworthy artist.
Wolf Gang’s sound is so big, it took me a while to realize it’s fronted by one main guy. What musical elements and tools does it take you to create what we hear bumping out of our speakers and headphones? I've always loved layering up loads of instruments to create wide and full on sounds. When I was fourteen and in my bedroom I was trying to achieve this on a four track tape recorder with my trumpet, piano and guitar. Now a few years on I've got to grips with pro tools which allows limitless possibilities, and my instrument collection has grown to include all sorts of weird and wonderful synths and bells and effects pedals. I never used to sing on my recordings, but now love experimenting with harmonies and backing vocals which can add so much depth to the soundscape. Having the luxury of recording in proper studios also helps add to the chaos, I saw some kettle drums lurking in the corner the other day which I insisted upon using for the lead single of the album. They sound epic.
Two words – Wolf Gang. Why? Will you be adding to your permanent act and be forming a gang for the crowds anytime soon? I wanted Wolf Gang to sound plural, to invoke an idea of something more than just a solo artist on stage playing with dimly lit session musicians relegated to the shadows. The music is pretty energetic and big, and needs to be played in a band like set up, where the musicians are sweating with the intensity of the performance. I'm lucky to have a wicked band who really get into it, it helps me with my performance too. We are just about to invite a fifth member into the fray, I kind of think the more the merrier - seeing Arcade Fire perform at Reading this year was such a visual delight, there's so much going on on stage with however many hundred of them there are, all going mental. Loved it.
“Lions in Cages” is your big single currently available. Personally, I’d like to define it as this season’s electro-rock anthem for the night seeker and adventurer. What were you going for when you started the recording process for this single? What do you envision as the basis for the “home” of this song? I wanted the song to have loads of energy to it, and to sound really uplifting. The song is about going out and going wild and sort of forgetting about reality. When I moved to London I had my first experience of being totally unconstrained and it was pretty dizzying, having grown up in a small village in Scotland...so the music is a sort of four minute relentless onslaught that represents those first couple of roller coaster years....
You’ve hit up New York this year. Any lasting impressions of that experience? I loved New York. I ended up getting quite drunk a lot of the time because apparently when you are obliged to tip after buying a beer it means they give you a shot of whisky in return. It's quite a vicious circle really when you think about it, I don't know how anyone stays sober over there. I had a whirlwind romance too, I ended up prolonging my stay to hang out for a few extra days...I'd definitely like to live there for a bit some time soon.
Do you have any plans to expand your sets elsewhere in the U.S. in the near future? Fingers crossed we might be making a trip down to Texas for SXSW in March. I've heard amazing things and am really looking forwards to the whole tipping for beers situation again.
The year’s winding down, and great year for music at that. Any favorite releases from this last year? Any shows or festivals that you went to that completely just blew your mind? I was pushed in the direction of Tame Impala as Dave (Fridmann) produced their record also, I really enjoyed it, had a bit of a Beatles-in-their-experimental-mode vibe to it. Best gig of the year was seeing Roxy Music perform at Lovebox festival in London, my sister plays violin for him so we were dancing on the side of the stage to Love is the Drug, it was an utterly surreal and perfect moment!
What releases do you look forward to hearing in 2011? I'm looking forward to hearing the Naked and Famous album, they seem to have quite eclectic taste so I think it will push nicely in a few different directions. Young Blood was such a killer single.
What’s in the works for Wolf Gang right now? An EP or full length? We want more! Well I've finished recording my debut album now, I did it in New York with Dave Fridmann and I'm incredibly happy with how it sounds - I kind of want to play it to the world right now... but will have to wait until May when it gets released in Britain, and then hopefully in the US a few months after...in the mean time there are one or two more singles in the pipe lines to keep whetting appetites...!
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