New Jersey Band WYLAND Discuss Their Newest Music and More!

Posted On 20 Dec 2018

By : Leah

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Tag: A Circuitry of Lonely, All Access, All Access Music, All Access Music Group, Artist Interview, Nowhere Now, Wyland

Photo Credit- Kelsey Ayres

WYLAND was formed in 2015, somewhere in the Meadowlands of New Jersey. The band began to grow in popularity from their “wildly theatrical” live performances in the underground music scene of New York City. Their sound eventually reached overseas to Ireland, where the band spent the better half of 2018 recording their new EP with producer Philip Magee (Kodaline, Miles Kane, The Academic).

They’ve received a ton of radio love as well, including regular spins at KROQ, Alt 98.7, KCRW, KEXP, and BBC in the UK.

Last month Wyland released their new single “Nowhere Now” which was produced by the acclaimed Phil Magee (Kodaline, Miles Kane, The Academic). The song will be featured on their new EP A Circuitry of Lonely, out in early 2019. The band also just wrapped up an East Coast tour with UMG Canada artist Valley.

“Nowhere Now” single stream: https://open.spotify.com/track/6L85SeyWHX1PxJgVz1jrBs?si=pXNxTOcNRu2dI8A_a3JhfQ

Connect With Wyland Here:

Learn more about Wyland in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day?

Thanks for having us. We’re on tour at the moment. We’re just recouping a little after an amazing show in London, ON last night. – pv

Since we are now at the back-end of 2018, how has this year treated this band? What is one musical goal that you have had for this year? How close are you to reaching it?

This year has been a whirlwind. I think in retrospect, we’ve accomplished quite a bit of the goals we had set up for ourselves. We traveled to Ireland, recorded a record with our spirit animal Philip Magee, released Nowhere Now and set up a tour with our Canadian sweethearts Valley. – zc

How do you think your hometowns have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group?

I was born and raised in New Jersey. I love this place but I can’t say that the music scene here influenced the songwriting. I think the life I’m living here, the ups and downs, is what really influences the sound and songwriting. – rs

I’m originally from Clinton, NY and there unfortunately wasn’t a strong musical culture there growing up. Music has always been a part of my life and subsequently, I’ve always yearned to be a part of a strong music community. I found that community with Wyland in the New York/ New Jersey music scene. A lot of the artists here really pour their heart and soul into the music they make. It’s a great place to be. – zc

What was the inspiration for your newest single, “Nowhere Now”?

The Drake equation. – rs

What did it feel like putting your new EP together with Phil Magee? Did anything surprise you about the overall process of making it in the studio?

I met with Philip a couple months prior to actually recording anything. I think we both just wanted to make sure we enjoyed each other’s company before jumping into the recording studio. And as soon as I met him, I knew our music was in the best of hands. We love that man. – rs

Philip follows what he feels, and his process of trusting his heart is what you hear on this EP. It’s truly magic. – am

It’s crazy how much can be born in the actual studio. We approached Ireland very confidently and Philip put us to work. He became the 6th visionary of the band and we’re grateful for his contributions. – cl

I was surprised to find that Philip was a black belt in karate. He used Chris as a sparring partner which was wicked to watch. And we have it on Super 8 film.- zc

It was a new experience for me. Finishing a long studio day and then having downtime in a completely foreign place definitely influences what you’ll be bringing to the studio the next day. I was really scared about our schedule and that we would need more time but Philip did a good job keeping us on track. – pv

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

I’m pretty happy in bed. I don’t get much sleep because my head is always filled with something I feel compelled to do. I love everything about this though. I’ll get some sleep when I’m dead. – rs

It’s being on stage for me. I get such a rush from the energy of the audience. I love spending time with the fans and other musicians as well. – zc

Definitely on the stage, there’s nothing like the exchange of energy between the crowd and the band. – cl

Sitting in the car with the guys, months after recording, in complete silence, listening to what we’ve created together. -am

It’s kind of cyclical. I love being in the studio and creating new music all the while thinking that I can’t wait to get out and play this for people. Then when we start touring and playing more the music starts transforming and new ideas emerge. And then I can’t wait to get back to the studio and lay down new ideas. – pv

Can you talk about your wildly theatrical live performances? What inspires these shows and the way that you entertain crowds?

Come out to a show and see for yourself. – rs

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

Our songs are a reflection of the lives we live and the times we live in. It’s not an escape because you can’t really escape the world you live in. It will always be there no matter what you do. Music is about allowing the listener to interpret what that song means to them. It’s uniquely different for everyone. – rs

Well, music has always taken me away from everyday life. It’s been the distraction from a lot of negative things. That’s part of the reason I personally became a musician, because I fell in love with the way it made me feel. And never really fails to deliver. – cl

Music is definitely my go to when I’m feeling the pressures of life but it’s hard sometimes. A lot of what we do with music now involves a lot of behind the scenes work so it’s easy to lose sight of why we all fell in love with it in the first place. We don’t want to become jaded by it. That’s why I love when we’re all in the van passing around the phone and showing each other new music or music we haven’t heard in a long time. – pv

What musicians would you love to work with in the future?

Aaron Dessner. – rs

Aaron Dessner. – am

I would love to work with David Byrne, Danger Mouse, Brian Eno and Peter Gabriel. They know how to tastefully push the limits. – zc

As a drummer I think Juan “Carlito” Mendoza is the ultimate goal when talking about skill. So I’d love to take a few lessons from him. – cl

I’d love to work with people outside of my comfort zone. Someone like Billie Eilish could be a lot of fun. – pv

What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

Feel something. Just let it take you somewhere and let yourself go, without judgement, without limits. -am

Every album is a time stamp of how the band feels and thinks at that certain time period. I hope that our listeners can appreciate every effort we put out and that those efforts stand the test of time. We hope that our message evolves with our audience into something they can digest when it’s new and when it’s old. – cl

Never be too cool to love music. I spent a lot of time as the kid who was “too cool” to dance at a show and now nothing makes me happier than to see people dancing at our shows. And of course dancing at a show. – pv

Nate Sirotta

818.384.4812

Leah Brungardt joined All Access Music Group in August 2011 and has been enjoying getting to know a new side of the music industry ever since. Having worked to promote radio stations in the past, seeing what makes a successful radio hit has been a thrill. As a lover of all genres of music, working at All Access Music Group is a perfect fit for Leah, and she loves learning about up and coming musicians as well. Most of her friends have come to rely on her for new music.

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