After delivering a flurry of bright and enigmatic efforts throughout the last year, New York-based outfit Energy Whores return for 2023 to unveil their genre-bending new offering 'Freedom Fadeaway'.
Channelling a rich and explorative aesthetic from start to finish, 'Freedom Fadeaway' makes for a wonderfully adventurous listen. With its innovative direction and progressive ideals throughout, they are continuing their rise as one of the more distinctive names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Punk rock, New Wave, Classic Rock, Folk.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, in mono. I was a very young child and stereo was still science fiction. My mother finally bought me the record because I sat by the “victrola” (a clunky turntable with one speaker contained in a somewhat portable box) and wouldn’t move until I had the album.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Weird Goodbyes by The National (feat. Bon Iver). The lyrics are perfection, and the music fits brilliantly with them.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Sometimes songs come to me in dreams, and I’ll go to my keyboard at all hours of the night to play them and write down lyrics. Also, I sing in the shower and while I’m driving (alone). Songs just spontaneously combust out of my brain. I don’t know where they come from, but I just go with it. I have yellow sticky notes everywhere and write lyrics on them as they come to me. Sometimes I bring them to the food market thinking they are on the shopping list. I’m always out of coffee.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
As of the last few days-The National, The Killers, Lil Baby, Radiohead, King Crimson, Jimmy Cliff, Wilco, Talking heads, Dar Williams, Dire Straits, Ditsea Yella, Annie Lennox, St. Vincent and Sigur Rós.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Radiohead or The National.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When I finish a song (and I like it) it’s like giving birth to a new baby art form. It’s very satisfying. Then, I love sharing it. If people relate to the song and enjoy it, that’s amazing. Music also gives the best brain massage.
And what is the most frustrating part?
In the music industry everyone must fit into a specific genre and stick to it. I’ve had this conversation with artists signed to record companies in the US. You must make them a box of oranges, which is so limiting and boring. If you put a peach in there, well, that’s not you. Also, many fans go ballistic if their favourite band switches it up and tries something new. It’s like saying “We like the grey paintings you’ve been doing because they match our couches, so no colours please. How dare you grow as an artist!”
To get anywhere on social media and streaming services, you must know somebody who’s uncle’s cousin’s sister-in-law knows an influencer on Spotify or Instagram but recently they’ve become crazy extra divas you can’t contact unless you're Lizzo. Often, I feel like I'm walking up a down escalator. It’s hard just being a random shmoo but I’ve found helpful supportive people along the way. Many of them are musicians facing the same challenges or love and support indie bands. You know who you are. Thank you xoxo.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t get yourself tangled up in self-doubt, second guessing yourself and your music. Be true to it and it will become its own unique entity and…… always more bass!
-
Energy Whores' new single 'Freedom Fadeaway' available to stream now. Have a listen to it in the player below.