TheBestDrummerInTheWorld.com talks to Josiah Wolf of Why? at Pitchfork Music Festival, about playing drums and vibraphone at the same time, as well as the importance of confidence when playing. Here's a transcript, since some the audio is a bit rough:
TBDITW: Tell us about your unique set-up.
JW: Well, my setup is pretty typical 4-piece drum set, but it includes a vibraphone that is built into the set up. That's about it, nothing that crazy. But its in there, the vibraphone.
TBDITW: Did you study mallet percussion?
JW: A little bit, but not really.
TBDITW: Why did you feel it was necessary to start playing vibes?
JW: It started because there were four of us. Then there were 3 of us. And we wanted to fill in his parts, and I thought, well I could play some of the same guitar melodies on vibes. Actually, then I was playing the vibes even more. I've kind of laid off a little bit so I can actually play the drums more. But back then, when it was 3 of us, I played more vibes. I would take his melodies and try play those while playing the beat. It was fun...it was a little bit limiting to my drumming at the time, but it was fun to try to do that.
TBDITW: How would you say that has affected the music?
JW: On the last two records we actually brought the vibraphone into the studio and played it a lot. A couple of the songs were written starting with the vibraphone, and then condensed.
TBDITW: With your melodic idea?
JW: Yeah, right.
TBDITW: You are also a songwriter. Do you feel like when you started playing more vibes, did that inspire you?
JW: The songs I wrote, they weren't too much inspired by the vibes, more by the guitar actually.
TBDITW: But I mean, having the melodic sense, not just playing percussion?
JW: I've played piano, and guitar, here and there, but the vibes, you know I like mallet instruments, I like percussion. I think it'd be fun to have a band that's all percussion instruments.
TBDITW: Have you heard the Max Roach project "M'Boom?"
JW: Yeah, I think I have heard that.
TBDITW: On the website you say (this blurb about your band): "Why? is the process of adapting to the business of existing." How does that statement practically play out in the band?
JW: That entire thing on the Why? site, it's good, but, its bit out there, it's cool...it's hard...could you read that one more time? (Reads it again) I don't know if that's true. Everyone has to. That's what everyone does in life. I don't think Why? does that anymore than anyone else.
TBDITW: What I did notice is that, first of all, you guys have had a significant shift in your sound, and also, I noticed that you guys have recorded in a lot of different places, and I wondered if the moving around is an intentional part of your process?
JW: My brother, he's the main producer...(inaudible)...he likes to do things differently every time. He's always striving for some ideal that we never really reach, but its good, because every time we try something different.
TBDITW: This is kind of a broad question, but what do you think are the qualities of a good drummer?
JW: I think there's different qualities, but the main quality is just having a good sense of time. And a sensitivity to the other musicians. You're negotiating the time between yourself and them.
TBDITW: Could you give me an instance, or something, where you feel like you attempted and achieved that sensitivity?
JW: Well I don't have a specific example, but if I'm having a good night, listening to everyone...(inaudible)...my natural sense of the rhythm comes out, and I'm not scared...you know, sometimes you can be insecure, as a drummer, or any instrument, and insecurity feeds upon itself. If you're feeling insecure about the time, or you're playing with someone who has better time or more experience, you know these things can get into your head, and mess with your internal confidence. The best times are when you really feel confident. It doesn't matter what other people think, that what you're doing feels good.
TBDITW: It's really cool that you bring that up, because that's a major kind of idea behind the site, which is that when you are feeling that confident, you are the best drummer in the world, that anybody can.
JW: Certain drummers I love to watch and get inspired by: Greg from Deerhoof. I love watching him. He's my buddy. Well, he's hard to get to know, but he's a sweetheart, and an amazing drummer. He's one guy that I would like to hang out with more and pick his brain. He has an interesting way of thinking. He does all the production for them. That guys is awesome.
TBDITW: We have to wrap it up. Josiah, thank you again so much for your time.
JW: Thank you.
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Pitchfork Music Festival Chicago 2010 pt2 Why? Wolf Parade LCD Soundsystem Best Coastby jmthornsburg22550 views
FORCEPS ARE SOLID MAN
BobbyMercy1 5 months ago
check out josiahs forceps... that dude would mess you up you tried to step on his toes
GnomesAmok 11 months ago
wow Yoni and Josiah's voices sound alot alike.... funny
gemini12775 1 year ago 2