Drummer Will Whyte has released his debut single, Haribo, under his new project Will Whyte and The Brain. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Will is currently collaborating with Human Lanterns, Goblinz and improv metal act Ireland and Haribo is from his upcoming album, Insufferable Monster.
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Will teamed up with sound engineer/bassist Iain Faulkner, Hubberstonian guitarist/composer/videographer Justin Young and Christopher Barry for this new project.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I play drums, guitar and sing. I'm also an Illustrator, as art was my first love since an early age.
I'm a former youth worker who previously facilitated outreach, art and music programs for young people in South West Inner City Dublin (SWICN). I absolutely loved it during the five years I was there. The young people I worked with were truly inspirational and demonstrated courage and resilience under extremely difficult circumstances. Creativity certainly acted as a catalyst for such qualities. Shout out to my former colleagues Dan, Meadhbh, Aisling and Eileen.
Apart from music, art and my current day job, family is everything to me. I have to spend time with my niece and nephew AT LEAST one day a week!
How would you describe your music?
I think I try to be playfully sorrowful. Everything but the vocals were recorded before I went into a mental health facility and then the vocals were subsequently recorded when I came out. I suppose I try to consolidate my musical influences to subconsciously represent that journey.
The upcoming album, Insufferable Monster, seems to veer between shoegaze, kosmische musik, indie folk and punk. I am very self-conscious when it comes to my voice so the instrumentals were always written first. There is a lot of down tuning on double-tracked acoustic guitars so even on the quieter songs there is a heavy undercurrent.
Lyrically, I deal with my own struggles with mental health and past relationships and try to exorcise a persistent, self-doubting monologue as a form of catharsis. I do however, try and keep it as playful as possible.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Firstly, my fellow musicians - Iain Faulkner, Justin Young, Chris Barry and Jamie Hyland. Sean Maynard Smith from the band Ireland. Sean Fitz and Ben Mckenzie from Goblinz. Paul, Mary, Ivan and Thom from Human Lanterns and their other projects, Cormorant Tree Oh, Hands Up Who Wants to Die, and Crowhammer. They come first as they always keep me inspired to go on.
Then there is The Locust (RIP Gabe Serbian), Captain Beefheart, Elliott Smith, Harry Merry, Radiohead, Converge, My Bloody Valentine, Zach Hill, The Residents.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Ozzfest 2002, Punchestown Racecourse.
What was the first record you ever bought?
First single was X-Files Theme by Mark Snow.
First album was OK Computer by Radiohead.
What's your favourite song right now?
Happy Home - 1982 rehearsal, Mole Box compilation, The Residents
Favourite lyric of all time?
"They never get uptight when a moth gets crushed, Unless a lightbulb really loved him very much" - Condor Ave by Elliott Smith.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Better Get A Broom! by Hella.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My debut single Haribo is on all streaming services and the music video is on YouTube. You can follow me and DM willwhyte_andthebrain on Instagram.
Alan Corr
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please see RTÉ’s list of helplines.
