SOURCE – Many of our readers probably don’t know the band yet, could you introduce Woodhawk to them?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – Woodhawk is a riff rock band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We’ve been around for a little over 5 years, put out an EP, and 2 full lengths. Started as a trio for 5 years, but mostly recently expanded into a quartet, adding keyboardist, Marie Wilson, to our group.
SOURCE – Violent Nature is the band’s second full-length – how do you feel about your debut Woodhawk EP now in retrospect, and what were the songwriting and recording sessions like for the new record in comparison? Has more time together developed into a cohesive understanding of what Woodhawk is?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – I still like everything we’ve done and put out. I’m always happy to do this and share what we write with people. We stand behind all we put out, and are proud of it all. Even if it’s not really who we are or are becoming anymore.
The writing for the EP was unique. It was just myself and Mike (our bassist) who wrote it. We didn’t have a permanent drummer yet, but had this small collection of songs. So we had enlisted a close friend of ours to come play drums on the EP and a couple shows, to at least get our feet on the ground and get moving. This is slowly how we later Kevin Nelson, our real, permanent, best friend and drummer. So with the EP kind of being constructed a bit less organically, we never really “jammed” or tested things out as much in different ways as we do now. We also recorded in a relaxed local basement studio, and it was very different, chilled out, come in when you want, kind of environment. Whereas the past 2 studio full lengths were tracked at Rain City Recorders in Vancouver, with Jesse Gander. This was under a strict two week schedule, and everyone was very much there to work, and get some good records done.
SOURCE – In terms of what fans can expect, is there anything else about the last album that you can mention at this point?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – I think it’s our best effort yet. We took a more real approach to writing it, in the essence of a more “heart on the sleeve” direction for lyrics. And also tried to allow ourselves more trust in the music, and allow changes that maybe didn’t always feel like “us”, because we don’t have a set tone or direction. So we could make everything..us. We were making changes to songs days before we left for the studio, because Jesse Gander had some insight or suggestions. This left a good sense of urgency, vulnerability and excitement to the record.
SOURCE – Could you also discuss a little bit about the video for Heartstopper (Official Video)?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – Ya, we flew out to Vancouver in November to film this. We worked with our good friend Kevin Keegan, who wrote and directed it. He worked alongside amazing Director of Photography, Rob Zwaistowski. Together they worked us hard all day, and created this eerie, creepy, funny music video. We turned a friends house into a dungeon and worked from 7am – 2am the next day. It was a very long day and a half, but we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Everyone really came together to work on this. If we weren’t in the shots being filmed, we were often behind the camera holding lights, or helping move the camera dolly. There was always work for everyone involved.
SOURCE – How has your band adjusted to the monetization of streaming versus the traditional way of selling albums?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – Technically we’ve always been very involved in that side of releasing music. When we put out our EP, originally it was Digital only. So it went on streaming platforms, and there was no CD’s or vinyl released with it. We later did CDs to meet the demand. But the digital platforms have allowed us to expand our reach with a little less effort so to speak. We’ve all toured in bands prior to Woodhawk, and in those days, the only way you got your music out there was either on Myspace or by selling cds at your show. Now, Woodhawk can get thrown into a “Stoner Rock Playlist”, on Spotify and we’ll see a jump in sales or streams. It’s a good way to expose our music to an audience who wasn’t otherwise going to look at it. However, like everyone complains, there is no money in it. So it’s a huge positive when someone likes the artist enough to support them directly. It really goes a long way.
SOURCE – What in your life are you most proud of? Is it something that you created musically or maybe something personally?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – I’m proud of the way we are as a band. We maintain the same goals, same drive and work ethic. Everyone very much pulls their weight here. But I’m also extremely proud of Violent Nature. That was our baby. And we worked really hard on it. So I’m thrilled with how it was received and what we have as a document of who we were in that moment and what we all created.
SOURCE – Speaking of COVID-19, let’s talk about what you’ve been doing the past couple of weeks since this self-isolation have started? How are you holding up?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – Well, we lost a few tours to the pandemic, which was extremely unfortunate. We had to cancel a Canadian tour, and a European tour. Understandable though, as the whole world has made massive adjustments, rightfully so, and it just wasn’t feasible to even attempt. But for self isolation, we’re all doing ok. 3 of us still work, so that’s a positive.
I started demoing a lot of new riffs to a metronome, then I’ll record them. I’ll send them off to our drummer Kevin, and he’ll play along with his electric drum kit at home, and record something back. This “new demo” will kind of make its rounds with all the members until everyone kind of has an idea of where sitting with the new song. So when we get together, we can jump right into it a bit more naturally. Every album is written a little differently, and this 3rd one we’re working on proves no different.
SOURCE – Speaking of goals, what are dreams, hopes, and ambitions do you still have professionally as a musician?
Turner Midzain (Vocals, Guitar) – Keep playing. Stay happy. We’re fortunate and grateful to have done as much as we have, and been so well received by people all over the world. We always plan to tour further, longer and make more friends and memories along the way. Always be happy and thankful for what you have and where you’re at. It’s good to keep realistic, attainable goals, but don’t lose sight of what you have currently achieved, and be proud of all that you do. That’s how we view everything, and it keeps it fun and us motivated. Take it day by day!
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