Danish rock band Get Your Gun just released their sophomore album and now they embarked on a journey through Europe. By 4th of November they should reach its center – Vilnius.
We couldn’t miss the opportunity to have a short talk with them.
Andreas – one of the Kildedal Westmark brothers – took our questions very seriously and did not succumb to any provocations. It seems that not being a douchebag is his true motto.
Rock’n’roll and rock music in general is about fast pace of living and playing. Yet, you play slow atmospheric music. Why did you choose this way of self-expression?
I’m not sure it’s something you consciously choose – we’ve just always leaned that way. The fast and flashy side of rock music never spoke to us at all. Especially with this new album I feel more related to classical music in some way, but you know – we play rock instruments and we’re in a rock band.
Also, I’m not sure if it would sound any good if we played fast.
What’s the idea behind your new album and its title Doubt Is My Rope Back to You?
When I start writing music I don’t have an idea. My brain doesn’t work like that – I work, play and experiment and then the idea or the path shows it’s face. I have a few things I want to try, going into the process of writing new music, but for me it’s about letting go of the inner control freak. When I think too much about it, I ruin it. When I’ve worked out some kind of frame for the songs, we fill out the canvas together.
The title was just something that occurred in my notebook very early in the process and it was one of those things where it kind of showed the direction the album should go in, lyrically. I tend to favor things that are open for interpretation – you know, is it a good or a bad thing that Doubt Is My Rope Back To You? – but still takes some kind of a stand. I feel it has that balance – and I just think it’s beautiful. But you know, I might be biased.
I guess every artist would tell you that his latest albums is the best. What are the lessons learned and improvements made that you think you achieved with Doubt… compared with The Worrying Kind?
First of all, I think it sounds a lot better than the first one. Secondly, we wanted to fill out the space between the “from 0 to 100%”-dynamics we had on the first album – to figure out how Get Your Gun does that. Holding on to the tension instead of letting go. I feel that every album should expand the world you’re trying to create and I think we did that with this album. I personally wanted it to be more conciliatory and welcoming, instead of the more “I’m fucking angry at you and the world”-vibe of the first album. I wanted to reach out instead of bashing out. In a way the new album feels like the natural answer to the first album.
A thing I also learned, was how I want to write my lyrics. I feel I’m closer to something I can call my own.
Also – a debut album tends to be some kind of a “greatest hits” of a bands first years and that was also the case with The Worrying Kind. The new one is more coherent, a whole album.
What’s your most memorable GYG moment?
Well, there are some others, but the most memorable “GYG in Vilnius”-moment was at an almost filled New York Club in 2014. That night was amazing.
You had a few very well attended gigs in Lithuania. What is the secret of your success in our county, in your opinion?
Coincidental good timing, the fact that we played some super good shows in Lithuania and last but not least, some enthusiastic Lithuanians who work their asses off with promoting our concerts and who feels very strongly about our music.
It’s difficult to say why some music resonates more with some countries than others – I would like to hear from a Lithuanian why he/her think our music clicks with Lithuanians.
But we really felt the connection this summer, at our secret gig at Devilstone. That could’ve easily been a flop if no one found out about it, but it was a great success. The heartfelt reactions, from us and the audience, were so pure – everyone were just genuinely happy to see each other.
You agreed to play a secret gig at Devilstone 2017, which is a very bold move in terms of bravery and maybe not a very smart move in terms of band promotion. Why did you agree for this adventure?
Because we trust the people running the festival. We shared that moment with the people who were there and I don’t think anyone involved will forget that day – that’s very special and it makes it a big success in our book. The people attending can say “I was at the secret Get Your Gun show at Devilstone 2017”. I know the festival got some frustrated responses afterwards from people who found about it afterwards – but I respect the festival for taking a chance like that, instead of only trying to make “mainstream moments for the masses”.
The stoner and post-rock/metal trend seems to be fading away. What’s your backup plan in case those styles become obsolete in a few years?
First of all, we’ve never felt like we’ve really fit into any scene and we’ve never felt the need to categorize our music – it just isn’t very interesting. My biggest concern is to create and expand our own world. The tags you’re mentioning are something other people have put on us and that’s fine.
Second of all, if you’re a musician and you’re trying to make music that is “hip” or “trendy”, just stop. You’ve already lost. The waves of music trends seems to change so fast, that if you’re trying to follow it, you’re already behind. Just play what you can, what you want and what flows from you – the listener can hear if it’s not the case.
So we don’t have any backup plan – that would be a cowardly thing to have, don’t you think?
Any less known Danish bands you could recommend?
We always recommend our good friends in Narcosatanicos – they’re a great band! We have an improv project with them called Døde Blomster (Dead Flowers).
If you had a chance to save only one person form two – who would that be: Nick Cave or Tom Waits?
I really don’t want that kind of responsibility.
Your recipe for not being a douchebag:
Simple – don’t be one.
So, kids, get your guns and smell the gunpowder on November 4th at Kablys.
