by mariah estran
photo courtesy of wiley watson
Do you remember those nights when you’d meet up with a few friends, grab some drinks, and maybe make some questionable choices? Yeah, those moments might be few and far between now, but alternative artist Wiley Watson is keeping the boozy-induced mischief alive with his latest single, “The Kid.”
The four-minute tune showcases Watson’s blended sound, which embeds inspiration from indie-pop to funk. It is a wild ride that suits the story the track depicts. After recently releasing the music video for “The Kid," Watson took time to speak about what really happened on that night, how he’s staying inspired in the current pandemic, his sound, and what inspired the new visual.
You’ve recently released “The Kid,” a rowdy tune about a night out. What made you want to tell this story through this track?
Wiley: “There’s just something about a memorable night out in York, England where you take a bunch of pills and do some dumb shit with your mates, you know? One of the best feelings is when you are with all your buddies pregaming a Friday night out and you are all getting hype on music and having a few cans of ale. I wanted to write a song that people could listen to before they went out to a party or have a long night out. It is also a reminder that I never want to take pills in England again. That comedown was goddamn awful. I’ll stick to Krokdil next time.”
The song is an eclectic mix of indie-pop and funk. How did you develop your sound for this single?
W: “My inspiration for ‘The Kid’ derived from experimenting with different guitar sounds and listening to a lot of funk music from bands such as Average White Band, The Bar-Kays, and Vulfpeck. This was all pre-COVID, and I was in a great headspace which came out in my jolly guitar melodies. Working with the producer Jack Lawson really pushed me to get out of my boundaries and experiment with different guitar styles. Him collaborating with me on the record really took ‘The Kid’ to the next level!”
How would you describe the songwriting process?
W: “I usually like to begin just jamming on my guitar and coming up with a riff or a melody. For ‘The Kid’ I came up with the main melody line, ‘Think fast and try to justify,’ on guitar (I was in my room pissed off about some bullshit). When it comes to recording, I usually record the guitars first, then I add the drums or program a basic drum track. Vocals tend to come last. I usually write my vocal melodies on the guitar and come up with the lyrics by singing along with them. I learned this trick from the heavy metal mastermind Devin Townsend. After all of that I tend to send it over to a producer and we both begin to edit it and add more to it together. I like working with other people on music. I do not think I work well all by myself, and know I need a team if I am going to make it. “
photo courtesy of wiley watson
You just released the music video for “The Kid.” It is a fun animation that perfectly captures the song's lively essence. What made you choose this direction for the music video?
W: “Due to COVID-19 I was unable to film a music video with live actors in a bar. I chose an animated video because I was watching ‘Archer’ and reruns of my favorite animation series, ‘Metalocalypse.’ The animated video captures my goofy sense of humor more than a live video.”
You’ve documented this carefree and memorable moment. However, fast forward to our current way of life, these types of nights in the town are not as frequent. How are you still staying inspired despite these changes?
W: “My inspiration in the past came from performing live, writing with my friends, going to music sessions, and recording with producers. Since a lot of that has gone away, I have had to find new ways to be inspired, which has not been easy. Through all this, I think I have written some of my best stuff. The past eight or so months my lifestyle has evolved, and it has forced me to channel my new emotions of anger and sadness into my new music.”
Lastly, can listeners expect another single to be released soon?
W: “Yes, they can!!!! My team and I are super excited to release the next single. It is quite different than the last two singles, but I am proud of it, and know people will really enjoy it.”