After reviewing Barkhouse‘s upcoming EP “Wolves At The Wall” (review here) due out November 18, 2014, I had the opportunity to chat with singer Will de Zengotita. Started as a one-night show designed to showcase some of his old material, Will’s project took off and become Barkhouse. Now established in the Brooklyn music scene, the gritty rock band has been supported by actor/director Adrian Grenier (Entourage), who brought the band into his studio at Wreckroom Records to record their EP. Enjoy the interview below!
-Where did you develop the name “Barkhouse”?
Olmo and I (Will) are cousins and Barkhouse was the name of a character that our grandfather used to invent stories about. He was actually a totally nasty character, he hated children and would set up traps for them and try to hurt them. It sounds unpleasant but we loved the stories and when it came time to name the band it just felt like a nice shout out.
Olmo and I (Will) are cousins and Barkhouse was the name of a character that our grandfather used to invent stories about. He was actually a totally nasty character, he hated children and would set up traps for them and try to hurt them. It sounds unpleasant but we loved the stories and when it came time to name the band it just felt like a nice shout out.
-You’re playing CMJ in NYC later this month on Big Picture Media’s showcase– looking forward to that?
We are REALLY looking forward to that! We go on at 10:00 which is a great slot and its at the brand now Living Room Brooklyn venue that is supposed to be fantastic. Its a real pleasure to be on the bill with a group of such wonderful bands… big thank you to Big Picture Media for the opportunity! [Note show is tomorow, 10/22 – Facebook event is here!]
We are REALLY looking forward to that! We go on at 10:00 which is a great slot and its at the brand now Living Room Brooklyn venue that is supposed to be fantastic. Its a real pleasure to be on the bill with a group of such wonderful bands… big thank you to Big Picture Media for the opportunity! [Note show is tomorow, 10/22 – Facebook event is here!]
-Your EP “Wolves At The Wall” is due out next month (November 18th) – how would you say your sound has grown since your last EP?
This EP probably covers more ground in way. EPs are of course short by nature but this one feels more expansive and ambitious than the last both in the song writing and the performances. We’re still proud of our last EP Hold Tight, which we also recorded at Wreckroom Records, but Wolves At The Wall is definitely another step forward.
This EP probably covers more ground in way. EPs are of course short by nature but this one feels more expansive and ambitious than the last both in the song writing and the performances. We’re still proud of our last EP Hold Tight, which we also recorded at Wreckroom Records, but Wolves At The Wall is definitely another step forward.
-Best advice you’ve received in your musical career so far (can be in any context!).
As far as the business end of things goes? Someone once said “there are a ton of things that are going to make you wonder ‘is this worth doing?’ The answer is no, they are not worth doing, but you have to do them anyway”
As far as the business end of things goes? Someone once said “there are a ton of things that are going to make you wonder ‘is this worth doing?’ The answer is no, they are not worth doing, but you have to do them anyway”
-What’s been on your personal playlist this last week / best new music you want to share…
We’ve been listening to new records out from our friends The Finks and Palomino, very different bands, both great records. And our Wreckroom comrades The Skins put out a couple of new songs this week that are just fantastic (as you’d expect if you know The Skins). Also recently discovered the song “I Play Dirty” by Little Milton, do yourself a favor and check it out!
We’ve been listening to new records out from our friends The Finks and Palomino, very different bands, both great records. And our Wreckroom comrades The Skins put out a couple of new songs this week that are just fantastic (as you’d expect if you know The Skins). Also recently discovered the song “I Play Dirty” by Little Milton, do yourself a favor and check it out!
-Funniest/worst thing that has ever happened while onstage?
Sometimes if things aren’t grounded properly and your touching your guitar strings and your mouth brushes the mic you’ll get a little shock, well one time I guess things we REALLY not grounded correctly because I went to sing the first song of the set and got sent flying back against the wall, my amp shorted out and I couldn’t stand up. Straight up electrocuted! After the shock faded though I have to say I had a nice lightness all over, don’t know how I sounded but I felt pretty good!
Sometimes if things aren’t grounded properly and your touching your guitar strings and your mouth brushes the mic you’ll get a little shock, well one time I guess things we REALLY not grounded correctly because I went to sing the first song of the set and got sent flying back against the wall, my amp shorted out and I couldn’t stand up. Straight up electrocuted! After the shock faded though I have to say I had a nice lightness all over, don’t know how I sounded but I felt pretty good!
