Interview: The Wind and the Wave
7 min read
Rising from the streets of Austin, Texas, one of the worlds most vibrant cities for music and the arts, The Wind and the Wave have very quickly become one of the most in demand acts in the world of indie/folk. They have supported the likes of Fun. and Bruce Springsteen and have recently wrapped up a U.S tour alongside Jamestown Revival.
The duo, made up by Dwight Baker and Patricia Lynn, formed just over a year ago and have already been signed by a major label and turned out an incredible debut LP in the shape of From The Wreckage which was released at the start of the month. Following the release of the album, we caught up with Patricia and Dwight to talk about their debut collection and to find out a little more about one of the brightest new duo’s in music. Here is what the duo had to tell us…
Brendon Veevers: Hi Patricia! How are you both doing and where in the world does this interview find the band?
Patricia Lynn: We’re in Austin on a little break from the road. We love living here. Dwight is about to make a record for our friends ‘The Roosevelts.’ I’m enjoying hot yoga classes and trying to get a tan.
BV: This month you released your debut album From The Wreckage. Can you tell us a little bit about the collection of songs you have put together here for those who are yet to hear the record?
PL: The record is a collection of songs Dwight and myself wrote together simply because we wanted to make time in our schedules to hang out with each other and make music. We never intended on writing an “album,” and we weren’t even a band. But we both we’re desperate to write music that we loved. At the time, I had a lot I needed to say and get out of my system. These songs are our collective song-writing efforts, Dwight’s production and my lyrical story. It’s honest and very personal and made for no purpose other than to please ourselves and fulfill the need to create.
BV: Why are the general themes that run though the record and what would you say inspired you both the most during the writing and recording of From The Wreckage?
PL: Dwight and I are similar people, so even though I am writing about personal experiences, it’s easy for us both to relate. General themes on this record include love, relationships with family, faith, the transition between childhood and adulthood, finding your own path, finding resolve, the battle with personal demons and overcoming loss…and smoking marijuana.
BV: Did you do anything to celebrate the release of the record?
PL: We ate dinner with a couple of our closest friends at a fancy restaurant in Austin. Patty got champagne drunk and ate a lot of cheese. Dwight had duck.
BV: Take us back to early days of The Wind and the Wave which wasn’t too long ago. How did the band form and how has the journey been so far for the band?
PL: The formation of The Wind and The Wave was kind of an accident. We happened to write songs that we both loved and couldn’t imagine not sharing them. Once shared, our close friends reassured us that this indeed was something to be proud of and pursue. The journey has been crazy fast. Right after the record was done and the decision to be a band was made, we quickly signed on with a manager and then six months after that, we signed with RCA, who took the album as-is and didn’t change a thing. We never actually saw ourselves on a major label, but it happened. And that meant Dwight lost a little bet and had to get his first tattoo.
BV: What do you think the other brings to the table and what would you says is a key characteristic, professionally and personally, about the other?
PL: Dwight is my rock. Sometimes he’s my punching bag, but mostly he’s a rock. I make sure he brushes his teeth and throws his trash away.
Dwight is the Wind, and I am the Wave. He inspires and pushes me to be better in a lot of ways. Obviously, Dwight being the sole producer of our debut album, he brings a magnificent ear to the table…console rather. I think the sound we created is unique and that’s why we love it. Couldn’t have done that without him. I don’t generally like to toot my own horn, unless it’s about how much cheese I ate. I just like making music, I always have. And I suppose I was born with a natural ability to sing. This album is different though, because I finally discovered what it was I wanted to say, what was important to me, what makes me different and yet what makes my problems and thoughts on life relatable.
Dwight Baker: Patty is my bestie and her talent amazes me daily. I can come up with the simplest melody and chords and the lyrics and performance she adds to it is better than even what my dreams tell me the song is going to sound like.
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BV: Who did you both grow up listening to? Who inspired The Wind and the Wave and why have they been so influential to you?
PL: I grew up listening to the oldies radio station in my dad’s car. It wasn’t until mid high school when I began to figure out what kind of music I actually liked, besides all the classics. I’m highly influenced by Ben Gibbard.
DB: For me it’s the beach boys. That was my stuff early. Later on James Taylor and the cure and the smiths. To many to name.
BV: Can you tell us about the name of the band – why The Wind and the Wave and what is this referencing?
PL: The band name originally referenced nothing. Like many band names came into existence, it was an accident. Somebody misheard somebody and boom! We both liked how it sounded, and over time we have identified one as the wind, the other as the wave. In the writing process, generally Dwight presents a progression or a melody, and like the wind, he pushes the wave over and I complete the song. It’s collectively very natural.
BV: You are both based in Austin, Texas which is known the world over as a very vibrant, musical city. What role do you think being within this type of environment has played in The Wind and the Wave’s success so far?
PL: Just being around a city where so many people are creative is what I like about this town. The music scene has changed a lot, and we don’t play in Austin much, but we love this city and appreciate all the vibrancy…especially the food. Perhaps we have the cuisine to thank most of all. Ha!
BV: You are becoming a favourite in the live scene so I want to ask you a bit about touring. What are you both like on the road – do you go wild or is it more laid back and serious when you are travelling?
PL: We are pretty laid back overall. We can both be crabby folks but nothing some good Thai food and a work out at the YMCA can’t cure….and whiskey
BV: What can fans expect from seeing The Wind and the Wave live?
PL: An honest presentation of our songs from the two of us. We don’t jump around or do fancy lights right now. It’s all about the songs.
BV: What is the main thing that you want audiences to take away with them from experiencing The Wind and the Wave on stage?
PL: That our music and stories are real. These are our lives. We hope that the fans find something to relate to and get lost in the moment with us. Put the cellphones down and just get lost.
BV: Have you discovered a favourite place to play – city or venue- and why do you rate it so highly?
PL: We love a lot of places. Colorado has been great to us and we love it. West coast like San Fran and sactown have been rad. We hold a special fondness for the Midwest because those kids don’t get every tour so they lose it when you come.
BV: Are there plans to tour the From The Wreckage during the remainder of the year or during 2015?
PL: Always planning tours. We are out in America for six more weeks one more time starting in October and in Europe til Christmas.
BV: What else is on the 2014 calendar that fans can look forward to?
PL: Just more live shows but we are always trying to come up with ways to directly say hello to our fans even if we aren’t in their town.
The Wind and the Wave’s new album From The Wreckage is out now on RCA Records.
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
