SOURCE – Please describe the creative process in Most Severe Crisis, how you work on new material and finally how an album is made?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – Most of the material started as improv jams while just messing around in the practice room. We always keep a phone recording to capture wherever the jam takes us. We recorded everything ourselves, so that gave us the freedom to demo material in the studio anytime we had some cool ideas take shape. We have hours and hours of jams and demos of different spontaneous ideas. The stuff that really has the natural Wizzo vibe just starts to take shape seemingly with a life of its own. Since we did record the album on our own, we had the freedom to work at our own pace and experiment with sounds a bit. For example, we layered several guitar and bass amps together to get some really fat tones. We took the same kind of approach for the drums too. I have a house drum kit usually setup, so Garry would come and record drums whenever he wanted to try new ideas. We did that a couple times to get some rough drum takes down. The last thing we did was setup Garry’s full drum kit, and let him rip. We ended up with an album we all though was pretty cool.
SOURCE – Where does the band name originate from, and why did you choose it? Is there any significance for it?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – Zanzabar. Coincidentally also a street term for smoking pot.
SOURCE – Where do you find the subject matter for tracks, is it something that takes shape organically, or do you start out on a specific path each time?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – The initial concepts take shape organically. The feel of the songs may steer a direction, but the subject matter is subconscious. It is definitely a theme of the subconscious thought being pushed to the forefront. Subject matter is derived from the place just in between consciousness and sleep.
SOURCE – Did you film any videos for the album Most Severe Crisis?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – We have not yet filmed any videos for Most Severe Crisis. Right now we have been focusing on the sounds. Hopefully we can find some great visual partners to collaborate with and make some great video content. Would be fun.
SOURCE – Social media has made it extremely simple for bands to interact on different levels with their fans. When you interact with your fans on Twitter, Spotfiy, Facebook etc. do you use discretion as you would in an interview or is it an outlet for you to open up to your fans?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – Definitely an outlet. We have no discretion, haha. We love to hear from people who are digging what we are doing. And we love to share what we’re up to. There are lots of photos and video from the above mentioned studio process on our instagram @wizzo.band
SOURCE – This day and age, so many people listen to the album without buying it, through streaming services, Spotify, and things like that. Everything’s different in how people consume it. What’s your opinion about it?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – We really like Bandcamp. It really is a community of discovering and sharing new music. It provides a model where people can easily buy merch directly from the bands, and also help support bands in the most direct way. All of our releases are “name your price” on Bandcamp. If someone wants to check it out but doesn’t want to drop some cash, I’m happy they want to give it a listen. Those that enjoy it will help support the band and it helps us be able to make more music.
SOURCE – Commercial success, or underground heroes, which is more important to the band?
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – The most important thing to the band is playing our music, being creative, and having fun doing it. Sharing it with those that connect with it is a great feeling.
SOURCE – Thanks for taking the time with us. If you have any closing-remarks, now is your chance!
Quentin Poynter (Vocals, Guitars, Synths) – Thank your for giving us the time! Drop by https://wizzo.band to hear the tunes and check out what we’ve been up to.
Contact:
Video: