After playing in bands Jack and the Whale, and Facepaint, Jack Tatum started recording under the name Wild Nothing as a solo artist in 2009. To date, the Virginia-based indie rock act has released two studio albums _ Gemini in 2010 and Nocturne in 2012 as well an EP, Empty Estate, early this year.
Solo artist Jack Tatum under the name Wild Nothing is joined by other musicians for live performances.
In tomorrow's concert, Wild Nothing is joined by British indie pop band Veronica Falls and Australian indie rock band Last Dinosaurs.
In a recent interview with Life, Tatum talked about his upcoming concert, his music and career as a solo artist.
How do feel about this concert in Bangkok?
I feel great, it'll be our first time in Thailand. Our friends in Beach Fossils have been before and had a blast so we are really looking forward to it.
You have just released the EP Empty Estate after your second album last year. How has the feedback been so far?
It's been mostly good, I think. It's a strange EP in some ways so there has obviously been some mixed reactions. I think whenever you try some new things you are bound to have people that either go along with it or wish you hadn't. I'll be the first to say that it's not the most cohesive thing I've ever made, but I didn't feel like it needed to be.
Since your first album in 2010, how have you developed, both in terms of your music and yourself as an artist?
I think the most important thing that I've realised is that I'm not going to be content just plodding along in any one genre. When you're in a band you have all these different opinions and outlooks coming together and I think it's easier to remain balanced. As one person making music I think it's actually harder, believe it or not. I can't listen to just one kind of music. That needs to come out in my music somehow, if only subtly.
Are you working on your new album?
I haven't started working on anything quite yet. Between all the touring we've been doing and the EP, I just wore myself out a bit. I'll start working on music again soon, I hope, but I'd like to take some time on it and make sure the next full length really reflects where I am right now musically.
Has touring in a lot of different countries been a great influence on your music, or the process of making it?
Absolutely. Travelling is a huge inspiration. My life is basically on the road so you have no choice but to pull from those experiences. The culture shock _ which is a good thing _ of travelling to places like Thailand is extremely valuable to me creatively.
Are your fans in Asia in any way different from those in other places you have toured?
We've only ever played in Tokyo so far, so it's hard for me to say. The fans we encountered there seemed really devoted and polite though, which can be a bit funny for an American band. I've had this conversation with a lot of people about that show. It really seemed like everyone there was there to hear us play as intently as possible. I thought it was incredible. You just don't get that in the US and most of Europe.
In the US in particular there is a bit of a "party" mentality to going to a show. Sometimes people go to shows just as something to do. It's more social and less about the music in particular.
You previously played in other bands, but now you work on your music alone with other members joining just for live performances. Is this the best way for you to work on your music? What are the pros and cons of working this way?
I don't really know what's best. For me it's just been the only way I know how to do things. My relationship with music is centred so largely around recorded music. I started writing songs at the same time I was learning how to record those songs.
I grew up in a pretty small town and I never had friends that played musical instruments, let alone ones that were interested in the same music as me. I wish I had. Collaboration might feel more natural for me if that were the case.
I just feel like I'm waiting to meet that person where it clicks. A musical collaborator is an intense relationship in my mind.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I don't really have it all planned out, but I'd imagine I'll have released a couple more albums. Hopefully, I'll be more involved in the production side of things for other artists I like.
I want to work in a studio for a while between making records to learn as much as I possibly can.
Wild Nothing performs tomorrow at 7pm at Voice Space, Viphavadi Rangsit Road. Tickets cost 1,900 baht (2,200 baht at the door) and can be purchased through www.facebook.com/haveyouheard.live or at the following places:
- Carhartt WIP at CentralWorld
- Music Collection (all branches)
- Happening Shop at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
- Rehab Bar at RCA Block D
- 8 Musique at 8 Thonglor Building
- Hidden Tracks at Terminal 21
