Woz on Turning His Turbulent Relationship With His Family Into Music, New York Burger Joints, and His Debut EP At the Gulf
[UNPUBLISHED:] Just to start, I have not stopped listening to “Gilgo Beach” since I first turned it on, I’m absolutely obsessed. Do you have a favorite song you’ve ever released?
[WOZ:] Thanks so much, that means the world! I think my personal favorite would be "Child Support." I'm so proud of that song, it makes you wanna move. I'm super proud of the guitar work on it and love when the fans tell me it’s helped them with their family problems. I also love that fans have been making covers of that song!
[UNPUBLISHED:] You’re releasing your debut EP, At the Gulf very soon, do you have a favorite song from that project?
[WOZ:] That's a tough one. I think it'd probably be the song "Pennsylvania." I poured my whole heart into that. It’s definitely my most personal song. There's a little guitar harmony in the 2nd and 3rd chorus, and as soon as I played that first note I instantly started sobbing.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What’re you most excited about in regard to the new release?
[WOZ:] Easily getting to play the songs live. Playing shows is my favorite thing, and getting to play the songs, and have people know them is the dream, I can't wait!
[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you hope your fans react to the new release?
[WOZ:] I want them to cry honestly. I want the songs to resonate with the people who have dealt with these things before. I feel like generational family trauma is something that never gets talked about enough in music, and it’s an honor to be able to talk about it.
[UNPUBLISHED:] In your opinion, where would be the perfect environment/place to listen to the new EP?
[WOZ:] Probably with headphones, alone in your room. I have ADHD, so when I listen to music, I just pace back and forth alone in my room. Sitting still is overrated anyways.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have a song you’re most excited to play live at your show in New York next week?
[WOZ:] Probably “Pennsylvania” or a couple of other unreleased songs. All I'll say, is they're mosh-pit worthy songs.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I loved your newest release “Child Support,” and the song focuses on your turbulent relationship with your father - what was the process like creating such an intimate song about your adolescence?
[WOZ:] Thank you so much! Surprisingly it was a lot of fun! I had the guitar chords for years, and I remember I played it for my bandmates when I was in a band years ago, and it didn't make that much of an impression. Years later I was able to make it work with my friends Alex and Dallas, and we just laughed and goofed off, and somehow the song got created.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How have your friends and family reacted to you releasing such a personal song?
[WOZ:] My friends loved it! They know my whole story, and gave me lots of hugs. My brothers loved it too obviously, cause we had the same experience growing up. I don't talk to my parents, so I don't know if they've even listened to it, to be honest.
[UNPUBLISHED:] You’re a native New Yorker, how do you think that has influenced your music and sound?
[WOZ:] New York has influenced my music a ton. We had a lot of small sketchy venues on Long Island, and a lot of my friends were in hardcore bands. That shines through in the music, with the guitar and rock elements. Also obviously New York bands, like The Velvet Underground, The Strokes, and The Ramones have influenced my music a ton.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What’re some of your favorite places in New York? Give us some recommendations!
[WOZ:] I've got plenty! All-American is a cool burger joint, I've been going there since I was a kid. I usually just get a burger with a soda. Sometimes a hot dog. It’s great, it's like 5 bucks. The building too is awesome. All the seats are outside, and it hasn't changed since like the '50s or '60s, so it looks straight out of Grease. Also Gilgo Beach as well! Some of my best memories have been hanging out there with my friends and getting into shenanigans.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Where do you find inspiration for your work and do you have any artists that you look up to or influence you?
[WOZ:] I find it everywhere! Much of my EP, At the Gulf was influenced by rock bands like The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and The Strokes. I love Keith Richard's guitar riffs and Julian Casablancas's raspy crooning kind of singing. Even other mediums, anywhere from movies to video games have influenced me. The visuals for At the Gulf were heavily influenced by The Outsiders, one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the fashion, retro film work, and that kind of rough suburbia aesthetic portrayed in The Outsiders. I love fashion too. As far as fashion goes, people like Jim Morrison, Mick Jagger, and Joey Ramone have had a huge impact on what I wear!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Who is an artist you’ve been listening to a lot recently?
[WOZ:] Recently I've been listening to a lot of The Queens of the Stone Age. The guitars are insane, and those melodies are killer. I've always loved Josh Homme's voice, I've seen them live twice.
[UNPUBLISHED:] When you’re not making music, what do you normally spend your time doing?
[WOZ:] Hanging with my friends mostly! Recently though I've been into true crime documentaries, I don't know why. Also, I've been trying to get back into drawing. I’ve been making little doodles for the fans and have been mailing em to them. That’s been fun!
[UNPUBLISHED:] What is one fun fact that not many people know about you?
[WOZ:] Let me think. I only learned how to swim about a year ago. Also, I can put both of my legs behind my head, and walk on my hands.
