Thursday, August 8, 2024

A Talk with the Wellies


The Wellies are a band from NYC who formed just last year, with their main lineup consisting of; Angelina Ramsey (vocals and guitar), Jolie Weinstein (vocals and bass), and Sadie Porter (drums). After making their debut at Bushwick's Caffeine Underground back in September, it would only be 6 months later that they release their demo EP, "Electric 2."  Their release party was held on the roof of a Brooklyn apartment singer-songwriter Elliott Smith had lived in (an exciting fact that wasn't found out until much later). Fortunately for Wellies, they were able to find a strong audience and set of supporters for their music. Unfortunately for the rest of us, their last show on August 3rd will be the last we'll hear from the Wellies for a while, as they're going off to college. 

Wellies at Main Drag, August 3rd


But!!! Before they leave, they were kindly able to have a chat and answer some questions:

What first sparked your interest in music and how did it lead to forming the band?

Angelina: Jolie and I were just becoming friends and talking about music, and I had just started playing guitar and showing her random things I made on Garage Band. That's when I was like, "Jolie I need a band I can't do this myself."

Jolie: And I was like, Angelina I need to form a band I've been wanting to start a band we have to do it! There's this great Rose Melberg quote when she's asked why she started Tiger Trap and she's like, "it was just the coolest thing you could do," and I resonate with that a lot. I'd just met some of these awesome people in Chicago who were all in bands and I really wanted to be a part of that.

Angelina: also Jolie was like, "I always start fake bands with people and it never becomes a thing." I was like... this is happening.

Sadie: I replaced Prince cuz he kinda SUCKED but I didn't think I'd stay.

Angelina: I literally ambushed Sadie, I don't think she even knew who I was. I went up to her and was like, "we need you to play drums" and I provided no context.

Sadie: You lowkey did but I ended up fucking with it so hard. Now I'm serious about drums.


Can you walk through your songwriting process?

Angelina: Jolie always has lyrics and then I come up with some guitar part and we merge.

Jolie: I kinda just get a line into my head and build on that.


How has your music developed since you first started playing together?

Jolie: We all sucked at first and now we're getting better.

Sadie: We were kinda rusty at first

Angelina: Yea for shiz. But it took a while to introduce new songs.

Sadie: I was so nervous at shows and could not play well. Now we're all synced up.

Angelina: We started really syncing up right at the end.


What has been your most memorable performance, and why?

Angelina: The rooftop was really fun to put together with all our friends. Everyone helped transport everything and set everything up and it was really nice in the end. The view was so cool and all the bands were great, I miss Sugarglass

Jolie: I second this. RIP Sugarglass.


Music guilty pleasure?

Angelina: Tyler, the Creator

Sadie: Gucci Mane and Pierce the Veil

Jolie: The Strokes, Cupcakke, and Paper Lanterns by Green Day


Musical "Ins" and "Outs"?

Angelina: In is not owning an entire drum set and sharing with others, like DIY. Out is being disrespectful for no reason. You don't need to chug that Modelo on stage when gang said sober space.

Jolie: Out- Skramz...


What is the most unusual venue you've ever played at?

Angelina: Rooftop.

Jolie: That one loft show owned by Austin Brown's friend. Also Knitting Factory, that's just unusual for teenage bands to be playing...


How do other people describe your music vs. how you would describe your music?

Jolie: Twee. City girls twee gangsta rap. We are not twee. To call us twee is a disgrace to the Sarah Records gods.


What is the story behind your bands name?

Angelina: It came to Jolie in a dream. I'm serious.

Jolie: I was going to sleep one night, and all I could think was rainboots and rain and England and my past English lovers (not!) and then I jumped up and was like WELLIES.


Does anyone have any secret talents?

Angelina: I'm really good at everything, and it's not a secret. Just kidding. No, I don't.

Jolie: Burping on command.

Sadie: I can do that too


Is there an interview question you've always wanted to be asked, and what is the answer?

Angelina: All of my guitar parts have been stolen from a niche Foo Fighters song.


Is there anybody you'd like to thank or shoutout?

Angelina: Shoutout gang for always helping us transport and always being supportive. Shoutout Dave Grohl for writing "Exhausted" which made me pick up guitar. Shoutout "Jennifer's Body" by Hole for being the first song I learned. 

Jolie: I'd like to shoutout the gone but not forgotten potential band name - Postman 90

What is the future of Wellies, known and unknown?

Angelina: Unknown, maybe playing shows later but you can't really plan ahead like that. We were working on an album but it's hard, and time consuming, and I think we're all a little burnt out. Don't have the brainpower to do the new songs but I'm still down if they are.

Wellies at Caffeine Underground, January 27

Find the Wellies here:

Instagram

Soundcloud


See the Rooftop show here! <--

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Behind the Lyrics: "Hang On" by Autumn Rhythm

Lyrics:

I'll wait till you believe me

I'll wait until you see

That everything I live for

You bring it out in me


Hang on, I'll call you

Hang on, I'll call you


I'll wait till you believe me

I'll wait until you see

That when I fall, you catch me

And let me down with ease


Hang on, I'll call you

Hang on, I'll call you


Autumn Rhythm released their 3rd album on May 18th. We asked Joey to talk about the story behind this track:

Me and Dusty went on a trip to Philly because I was drumming with Mildly Allergic at this spot called the Underworld. Really fun show, but on the way home Dusty got really insecure for whatever reason, and she texted me the next day about it while on her way home from the train. While I was texting, her I was writing that riff so I just made the lyrics reassuring her she's a really good partner and a really good person and that I love her lots. But it's really general and I like that it could be about anyone to anyone... I made a pact with myself when I started the band that I'd never write a "love" song using the word "love." But that being said it's one of the only Autumn Rhythm songs addressed to one specific person.


Find Autumn Rhythm here:

Instagram

Bandcamp

Spotify

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

I was wrong (1/25/24)

Zoe Byszynski

@habitually_a_mess


I was wrong.

I have twenty long branches outside of myself.
They twist around endlessly reaching.
Their fuzzy swirls couldn’t hope to hold you. 
My center is too mushy to stand tall for you.
I swish around and wobble like unset gelatin.
I am encased in this film that leaks and flakes and stretches and smells and burns.
Spikes all over. Growing, reaching out. Breaking?
           Something is bubbling up here, trying to get my attention.
I breathe hot steam.
            Opening and closing to get your attention.
Two empty spots in the middle. Not to look pretty, not to mean anything.

Inside I am glass. I am fragile. I am brittle. I was wrong.


I hear your voice through these loops.

Your voice bounces and bends through my hurdles with ease.

I see your eyes through filters that can’t focus right.

Never as perfect as you.

They ooze when you’re gone.

On my back I fold in half and half again and half and half.

I will not be strong. I can not learn. I won’t.

Spots consume me, mapping what I wish to let go.


Please tame me. I am wrong.


I can never cover it up. 

I will hide it. Alone and well. Alone and good? Alone and… Alone.


Sometimes I wish… I pray to sail on a boat far away.

Where no ocean could ever cast my reflection.

No cave could echo my voice.

No wind would feel my breath.

No way that it could ever get back to you.


I will sit on the dock because I know this boat is coming.

I don’t know when.

But I know it will find me and I’d rather not be surprised.


If I had more to conceal, I’d have more to pack.

I am sorry for all I’ve taken. 

All the time.

I will try to be quick in my voyage.

To vanish beyond the horizon swiftly.


I was wrong to pick you. I was wrong to burden you.

I am sorry to have knocked on your mind. I don’t wish to stay longer than I’m welcome.

I hope you meet someone with a nose just as keen.

I hope you meet someone with a smile just as wide.

I hope you meet someone with eyes just as sparkling.

I know you will meet someone with beauty as great as your own.


You are… you… you…


You have stained my life. I will not try to clean the residue.

In my mind I will be holding your hand the way you like.

Cooking what you are hungry for.

Throwing out whatever you want to let go.

Forget me with the same ease you met me. Let me waddle away and keep your head held high.


And soon you will pass me like every other stranger on the street.

Gag when you see me at the park.

Scowl when I pass you in the store.

Shove me as I stand still.


Treat me wrong. Treat me the way I deserve.