I'll get the big question overwith to begin. Who are your musical influences?
Initially growing up I had an older brother who was into Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen. It's hard to kinda know where things come from. Bob Dylan and his mid-seventies period, with his Blood on the Tracks and Desire records &emdash; they are still really inspiring for me just as a songwriter. Then there's a whole other side of it &emdash; being influenced by people like PJ Harvey. She's a real wailer. On a singing level I really like what she does. I grew up singing a lot in choir and playing the piano like a good little girl.
It seems that you and Luther (the guitarist) are the only steady band members. What happened to everyone else?
(In a musical tone) We're goin' steady..! Well, this incarnation here with the four of us has been a year and a half. Sticky has been in the band for a year and a half, and our drummer Cam for over two and a half years. so it's not like a pick-up band.
I noticed you have a song on the Women in Song CD. How did that come about?
Well, I don't know! The guy that put the whole compilation together heard our music and that song especially, and liked it and wanted to put it on there. I just got a call when we were out on tour a couple of months ago. He said, there's a compilation and they want "Dogs and Thunder" on it. I heard that k.d. lang and Emmilou Harris were going to be on it, and I didn't believe it for a while.
Are you guys looking for a huge commercial success or are you satisfied playing even if it's in front of two or three people?
You know, it varies. You think things like, "this is worth it"; however, other times you want to expand. As far as more opportunities, the more people get to know your music, the more opportunities that are given to you: the more fun you can have, the more places you can travel. It all depends on your record company, what tours you get on. The most important thing for me is feeling happy with the song. Writing a song, that's when I feel most satisfied, and the other stuff is just the after effects.
There is this whole females-in-the-music-industry type thing, although the band is co-ed. What do think?
First thing that I want to point out is that it has been made a trend by the media. I don't think it's a trend. A hoola hoop is a trend. I don't think it's going to be something pass in a couple of years. (Big manly voice) "Oh yeah, the woman thing, that was big in 1997." I think it's a coming into our own. The fact that there is more of a presence of women in music right now is a matter of history and it's taken a while for women to have more of a presence everywhere in greater society. I think it's a lot more interesting to have different personalities, different perspectives, and different voices in music. I kind of go away from the idea that music is gender specific.
Well, there you have it: everything you wanted to know about Weeping Tile. They have a new album out titled Valantino and you can pick it up at your local music shop. They will be at the SUB tonight opening for Holly McNarland (who hopefully will be interviewed in next week's Brunswickan). Don't miss out.
