Will Wood: A Wind-Up Exclusive
With over 750,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Will Wood has gained recent popularity due to his intricate lyrics and complex instrumentality. His newest single, “Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll”, set the newest stage for him, taking a clear move in a new direction. Wind-Up got an exclusive interview with the musician, and here’s what he had to say.
Who is Will Wood?
Will Wood began creating music in 2015 under the name Will Wood and the Tapeworms; the “Tapeworms” being a group of backing musicians including drums, guitars, and even brass instruments. He recently dropped the Tapeworms for The Normal Album, his most recent full-length release (though he still tours with the Tapeworms).
And he isn’t just a musician––he’s also a
visual artist and filmmaker. His visual-based work holds the same psychedelic, tongue-in-cheek vibe that is found in his music.
In prior albums, he built a grandiose caricature based on himself, but in his new release, he plans to break down that grand character and become more of himself.
“I was sort of sick of being seen as this caricature of myself I had created in the throes of instability years ago—partly because I couldn't live up to it and didn't want to have everything I do be colored by that version of me,” Will said.
“Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll”
His most recent single, “Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll” is a piano ballad about fame and his false sense of self that he built up.
“I guess feeling frustrated with the monkey's paw reality of getting what you want is pretty universal. Maybe hating sex, drugs, rock n' roll, and your own lack of self control is too. I hope that's what people are connecting to—that ugly, difficult, less-than-graceful stuff. That's always been a major part of my intention that I think goes over heads or gets lost in translation from my obnoxious verbosity and greater interest in being clever and ‘deep’ than being forthright and honest sometimes.”
In Case I Make It
Like in his newest single, his upcoming album, In Case I Make It, will follow the same themes of vulnerability and life. He hopes to offer inspiration to people who are in the place he was years ago.
“I’ve always wanted to use my music to connect with and/or offer some sort of comfort or inspiration,” Will said.
His lyrical style connects with many people, and he plans on using this album as “sort of a confessional”. Though the album is going to be different than any other release, it’ll still have the same irreverent cabaret sound he’s known for.
Wood raised over $300,000 on his IndieGoGo campaign for the album. With this, he plans to make his biggest album yet. According to him, he plans on having both a small choir and a string section, of which will be paid for by the fundraiser.
He’s also taking on the role of producer for this album, which he has never done on a large scale.
“I'm taking on a lot of new risks and challenges, and taking on the role of producer in full for the first time, so I'm excited and a bit nervous. Which I think is healthy,” he said.
In Case I Make It is set to come out in 2022, as it is currently in pre-production. His single, “Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll” is currently avalible on all major streaming platforms.