Band Interview: Wolfe Sunday

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with UK based acoustic punk artist, Wolfe Sunday.

1. How did Wolfe Sunday begin?

Wolfe Sunday actually started when the bands I was in before all broke up. I was at a point in my life where I felt pretty stuck, in a terrible relationship, in a terrible job, so I picked up an acoustic guitar, wrote some songs and then got away from it all by playing shows all over the place.

2. How would you describe your current sound after all these years and what are your plans on stage for your upcoming gig dates?

Right now I’m really pushing for a fun, upbeat sound. I think that comes across on the label debut album I just released via Beth Shalom Records. I like keeping the songs lighthearted and fun, so that it’s easier to get the audience involved at shows.

That is always the plan for gigs; to bring as much energy as possible, getting the audience involved, and just making it a memorable show. I feel like a lot of solo acts can be pretty boring, I don’t want to be like that. I don’t tend to stay in one place in my shows, or even stay on the stage. It’s a real performance, rather than just singing a few songs. It’s the kind of chaos that I’ve really taken time to compose over the course of a few shows, working out what works and what doesn’t.

3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style the most?

When I first started I was heavily influenced by Frank Turner, and how he incorporates punk rock themes into acoustic music. More recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Gogol Bordello (who are just the best band, and everyone should check them out). Their insane live shows are something I’d love to capture, on a tiny, one-man level.

4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you in music since you started?

That’s a really tough one to answer because I honestly think it has both helped and hindered. It’s such an invaluable tool to promote your music and get it heard by people that wouldn’t otherwise. To be able to get people who wouldn’t go out to a show, or who live in an area you haven’t visited, to hear what you’re working on, is really cool.

But in the same way, it’s also a very diluted resource. There are so many bands trying to get the same people to hear their stuff that often it just becomes a shouting contest. There are so many incredible bands that you can find on YouTube, but for every one there are a good few terrible ones too.

5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

I like to make art, I actually do quite a lot of work for bands, doing gig posters, merchandise, album art, that kind of stuff.

6. What are your future plans musically?

I think right now the plan is just to gig as much as possible. To keep booking shows in new places, and meeting awesome people along the way. That’s the reason I started, and it’s the only reason I’ll ever carry on.

You can listen too & pick up Wolfe Sunday’s music in a number of ways. Over on Bandcamp, Spotify & via Apple Music below. Keep up to date with news by checking out the band website, liking Wolfe Sunday on Facebook & following on Twitter.