An Interview With The Electro and Synth Rock Band, CULTURE WARS!

Culture Wars is an edgy electro and synth rock band with an infectious 80’s new wave vibe.

The Austin based trio have cultivated a “radio-ready sound that blends heavy chugging guitars with foot stomping electronic beats” [PopMatters].

Last week on August 11th, they released their debut, self-titled EP with production by Robert Sewell and mixing by Alan Moulder (The Killers, Nine Inch Nails) and Manny Marroquin (Kanye West, Imagine Dragons).

Learn more about Culture Wars in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Where does this interview find the band today? Is there music playing in the background? What music do you all like to listen to when you are relaxing or answering interview questions? 

Back home from tech rehearsals, watching Manchester United on TV. We get enough rock n’roll at work so when we’re relaxing it’s usually something in the vein of Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Playboi Carti, Migos, Future, 2 Chainz, etc.

How does 2017 so far compare to last year? Did you all approach this year differently then you did 2016?

Last year was all writing and developing this new band, so this year is drastically different as we’re putting stuff out and beginning to tour.

Growing up, did you always want to be musicians? Can you recall the moment you realized that you could really make music together and be a band? Why do you think your name truly represents this group and the music that you create?

Yeah I guess. We’ve all been playing since we were little, Mic has his masters in cello, Dave and I both have been bumming around in bands since at least High School.

The name really wasn’t all that premeditated, but once it was pitched, it just made sense. Our music is mostly alternative rock, but there’s a lot of blending of rap/hip-hop and electronic blended in, so at least musically it applies to our style.

I always like to ask artists how their hometown has been an influence on the kind of music they make and really what kind of a band they are today. So how do you think your hometown of Austin has affected you?

It hasn’t. Austin’s a great place to be from, but don’t believe the hype. It makes for great billboards at the airport, but the rising property values, rent hikes, and new noise ordinances are suffocating all the venues in town. What once was a flourishing music scene is slowly being choked and pushed out.

What was the process like of putting together you debut self-titled EP? Did anything at all surprise you about it? What was it like working with your producers and mixer on it?

We’ve been doing it slowly over the past year with our producer Rob, he’s our good buddy so it was pretty laid back and fun. When we let go and just have fun is when the best stuff comes out. Marroquin and Moulder are both legends so it really helped having a new-outside perspective on the tracks. 

What was the inspiration for these songs? What are some standout songs on this collection? What are you most excited for people to hear?

Nothing really in particular, we all have different moods day to day. I really enjoyed the process of all of them, we wrote probably 20-30 songs and landed on these 5 so it’s hard to pick personally. Most excited for people to hear all of it, we’ve been quiet about it for over a year and a half, you begin to go stir crazy after a while.

What are your plans for the rest of this summer? Do you have any tour dates scheduled?

Continue building the live show. Playing Houston 8/24, most likely will continue to look for the right support tour while we build our momentum.

Where do you guys think you are happiest – on stage performing, in the studio recording new music or elsewhere?

I would say on stage, but it’s been so long. We’ll see how I feel come August/September.

Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you all to work with in the future? What would be a dream collaboration for this band?

We all listen to so much other stuff, it’s frankly hard to nail a couple of things down. Dream collaboration, hands down, would be with Mike Dean.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

I wouldn’t say there’s really an overarching message, but people should just come to have a good time. Draw whatever conclusions you want. There’s value in being able to just enjoy yourself and forget about the troubles of life. There’s enough b-s in the world that there’s value in being able to turn it off and have a good time.

What advice would you give to a band just getting started? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

Write. Keep writing. When you think it’s a hit, go play it for someone. Keep writing until you get the reaction you want. Then go home and continue writing. It’s a process that never gets easier, only better.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourselves or your music?

Yes. If you’re reading this, stream us on Spotify. Our lives depend on it.