PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
Matt Clapis (MC): Greetings PGH! Our latest project is a charity compilation album of old and new tracks we bundled together called “Wizard Farm Jams For Haiti”. For the last couple years we’ve performed at the annual Hoof It For Haiti 5K fundraiser run in Connecticut and thought this would be a great way to contribute even more. 50% of all proceeds go straight to the foundation. Good music for a good cause.
The Recording Process: There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
MC: We’re very fortunate in that we record in a home studio my father built over 25 years ago. Sometimes that doesn’t make it any easier to get everyone together in the same room. Life tends to get in the way of recording more than musicians might like it to. At times, the studio can feel like a dungeon in which you confront your insecurities and shortcomings. It’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself, but most often you get the best takes when you’re relaxed and not over thinking your parts.
As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are your thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
MC: It’s hard to imagine the music industry before the internet. It allows you to connect with people from all over the world and instantly upload you music for anyone to hear. It also heavily saturates the market. The average people searching for new music may find themselves lost in an endless cyber wasteland that makes it hard to distinguish between the tight band that’s played for 10 years, and the 17-year-old kid who makes crappy remixes on Garage band. That’s what sites like PGH are for.
Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?
MC: Clearly, the future of music is in 3D. Not possible you say? Give it time.
We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them? Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
MC: Our plan is to keep writing and recording music until we’re reduced to nothing but carbon and dirt. We focus on one song at a time. It’s like a child that you’re preparing to go out and face the world. Sure it’d be great to have a funded album, tour the world, and make a grand living doing this. That may be our delusional long-term goal, but that’s not what drives us and I don’t think anyone is banking on it. Music is our passion. Our means for expressing and understanding ourselves and the existence we share. These things we’ll be until we die.
Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
MC: Steve from the old kids show Blues Clues. I just learned that he released an album some time ago. Is it any good? I have no idea. But it’s Steve from Blues Clues, so we all need to listen to it.
Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)
MC: We all come from different musical backgrounds so our influences can range from The Beatles and King Crimson, to Parliament Funkadelic and Dr.Dre. Top 5 albums? Impossible…but six of my favorite albums of all time are Abbey Road, Revolver, Dark Side Of The Moon (Cliché for a reason. Changed my life as a kid and I’ll always stand by it), Smile Sessions, Peter Gabriel’s “So”, and Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips.
We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?
MC: I think St. Vincent and Ty Segall are two modern musicians doing great things. I’m a massive Bjork fan, and her latest album Vulnicura is one of the most emotionally intense and personal records I’ve heard in a long time. There are lots of good young bands keeping the 60’s sound alive right now like Temples, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Tame Impala, etc. Trends fly like boomerangs.
Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’
MC: How we wish we could just say music and be done with his question LOL. Here at Wizard Farm, we double as counselors, painters, website designers and a college student. I’m fortunate enough to be dipping my toes in the world of video game music. I’m currently finishing up the soundtrack for an arcade battle game called Zarvot to be released Christmas time 2015 on all major systems and PC. It’s loads of fun.
Okay, last question: Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?
MC: You can hear more of our music at our website, www.wizardfarmmusic.com. You can download it for free at https://wizardfarm.bandcamp.com/releases or https://soundcloud.com/wizardfarmmusic
