Australian folk rock band, The Waifs are back with a brand new album and a national tour. Newcastle Live’s, Dan Beazley chatted with guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Donna Simpson about the album, their approach to recording and the show that rolls into the Civic Theatre Newcastle on November 4. The resulting interview both fun and candid.
DAN: We’re really enjoying the more electric and country rock elements of the album. Was that a conscious decision heading into the recording or was it something more organic?
DONNA: Funny question, I dunno. I really don’t know how to explain how things come out with us. If the fans and media are diggin it, then that’s so great! I kinda wanna get something straight here. The Waifs never have plan. Ever!! We write songs from all corners of the world, all separately, and from inspirations that fly thru us in a mere second. What happens just happens, but when it happens in the studio and we are all revved up, then that’s what’s recorded. If josh feels the electric guitar coming On Then we roll with it.
DAN: Many elements escaped us on the first listen, but we noticed on subsequent plays that the album is quite subtle in its intricacies. How do you balance writing interesting songs while remaining accessible and true to your roots?
DONNA: Well for starters, I love that you have given the album a few listens. Secondly, we make no effort whatsoever to stay “true” to our roots or “The Waifs” sound. It’s the only way we know. I absolutely love this record. Especially the opening song Black Dirt Track. Again, I must say that we always go to the studio with our own individual songs. It’s another interesting question you’ve asked (thank god), but again your kinda grilling me here. We are what we are, we do what we do. It’s hard for us to delve into our process. There’s no process with us.It doesn’t sound very exciting I know, but having no set plans has given us a long career and a beautiful fan base. Even now that the album is out, the new songs have changed and even today I thought, shit damn it, I wish we had recorded it the way we are playing it now. Sorry, no massive wisdom here. We just do what we do. Perhaps we will become stuck in a time warp. Maybe we already are???
DAN: We love the guitar sounds on Born To Love. What sort of guitars and effects are you using?
DONNA: Ha! Classic coz this is the song that I’m referring to in your previous question. Your obviously a good listener and have good ears for sounds. Josh could answer this but he’s in bed asleep right now. Born to love is now played live on the banjo. Josh makes all of his own guitars. If your asking me about effects then geez, I’m lost. I dunno. It’s all about it being a good sound at the time and playing live music. He often changes things up on stage and Vik and I have no idea. We just jam along and try to go with the flow. That’s when you will see our famous foul looks onstage.
DAN: A lot of your lyrical content is really introspective and personal. How do you present those songs live without becoming an emotional wreck?
DONNA: Your a good interviewer. Ok, so when I write (and this is me answering personally), I often literally bawl my eyes out, If I’m writing a sad and heartfelt song. After a few plays it still hits hard but overall the process of merely writing becomes very cathartic actually. Sometimes I do find myself a little embarrassed having poured out my guts in a song and now be playing it onstage and letting people into my personal life and crazy mind.
DAN: What do you think of the new trend of people recording large chunks of your live show on their phones and uploading the footage to the web?
DONNA: It is the way it is. It’s a shame when there’s perhaps not such a great show put online but we are are own worst critics. It’s the way of the world now. As Gillian Welch freely wrote in one of her songs, “everything is free now, that’s what they say, everything I’ve ever done, there gonna give it away. I’m gonna do it anyway, even if it doesn’t pay”
DAN: Who takes the longest to get ready for a show?
DONNA: Me, I’m always trying to sneak in a last cigarette to calm my nerves.
DAN: Do you have a pre and post gig ritual? If so, we’d love you to share it with us.
DONNA: We usually have a sing along before stage. Usually a silly sing someone comes up with. Dave our drummer is great at changing lyrics and making us laugh before the gig.
DAN: You’ve toured around the country many many times. What can you learn about Australia from all that touring that most people wouldn’t know?
DONNA: There’s a Chinese restaurant in every town.
WHAT: The Waifs
WHERE: Civic Theatre Newcastle
WHEN: November 4
MORE INFO & TICKETS: civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
