By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) Your new music is described as “deathrock,” but how would you describe your sound?
A) I think the sound of WARFIELD is a blend of Post-Punk and Deathrock. There are certainly classic alternative influences, as there are also some classic influences from bands who audiences would refer to as “Goth,” but overall, it’s all more about the feeling, energy and spirit. Deathrock Devotionals is my way of saying “this is my take on the spirit of what was happening in Los Angeles in the early 80s.” From the Atomic Cafe, Hong Kong Cafe, Madame Wong’s, The Starwood, etc. – it’s very much influenced by not just the sound of that time, (as I didn’t want it to sound retro or vintage, per-se), but the culture.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) In general, everything from A Tribe Called Quest, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, Roy Ayers and Vangelis to The Stone Roses, Verve, Tangerine Dream, The Go-Go’s, Stevie Wonder, The Eurtythmics, The Pretenders, MBV, Tears For Fears, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Beastie Boys, Soft Cell, Pavement, Sebadoh, Guided By Voices, GVSB, [David] Bowie, Madonna and early-to-mid-eighties Prince. That said, this album was a focused project with a specific sound and energy, so for that reason, there was a lot of Christian Death, Adolescents, Joy Division, Xmal Deutschland, Pink Turns Blue, The Cult and Death Cult and The Damned.
Q) Talk about the story behind your single “No Party.”
A) The genesis was a song I’d written a few years ago and was going to be for something else, but then I reworked it and totally changed the music in the verses. And, after doing so, sang a whole new verse melody. The chorus stayed the same. It always was a cheeky B-52’s inspired rave-up with elements of some of my favorite sounds and feelings of the late-70s. The B-52’s are one of the most important bands of my life and there’s a fair bit of homage in this one. Sometimes you write something and say, “That sounds like____,” but you change it. In this instance it was accidental, but I couldn’t change it, so I had to lean into love. It’s a real love letter to LA and describes that feeling of excitement, angst and looking for something or some place.
Q) What kind of fan response have you been receiving to this track?
A) So far people have been really enthusiastic and into it. There was supposed to be a guest vocal on the bridge, but timing and live shows didn’t allow for that collaboration. So, I hope to release an alternative version with that guest at some point soon. Hint, she’s an absolute LEGEND, incredible songwriter, rocker and amazing human.
Q) Deathrock Devotionals came out as a couple of EP’s. How did it evolve into a full-length album?
A) It was always intended to be multiple EPs that coalesce into a full length. The only change was some of the songs which were meant to comprise a third EP didn’t come together as planned, weren’t finished or simply didn’t fit, so I made it two EP’s and an LP instead of three EPs and an album.
Q) The album is sort of a tribute to 80’s Hollywood. What made this time period such an inspiration for you?
A) Great question. I lived through a lot of it and the memories are foundational, but what’s more interesting to me is what I wasn’t able to be there for, to see, feel and taste. So, whether I’m writing a film about that period, uncovering images and videos in research or putting it down in song form, to me it’s about exploring, asking questions and drawing inspiration from something I have a passion and curiosity for – sometimes especially when I wasn’t able to witness it firsthand.
Q) My favorite tracks on the album are “Only Shadows” and “All the Fun.” Which songs are special to you and what makes them so significant to you?
A) Thank you, I love those! “All The Fun” is the mission statement. It came and the whole project became clear. I think my favorites shift. I haven’t listened in some time, but off the top of my head I’ll say, “No Party” and “Distraction” as they both feel like they were plucked out of a bizarro 1983 dimension/timeline.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) The music comes first 99% of the time. Once I have that, I like to listen and drive. Melodies and words always come to me when in motion and my mind is on the road and not focused on trying to write, or god forbid concentrating on creating. That level of unconsciousness allows things to come through me which I have to believe are little gifts, bits of our subconscious things we’ve heard, read, seen, experiences and really something outside of ourselves which if we’re tapped into we can receive. The other part of that is whatever words come to me, invariably become the first lines of the songs and dictate what it’s about. Then, I feel it’s my job to follow that trail of breadcrumbs and see what it means.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) With WARFIELD I produce and record it by myself and then send it off to be mixed and mastered by my incredible collaborators. It was all done at my home studio, with the exception of drums which were recorded a while back at a friend’s.
Q) What can fans expect from a live WARFIELD performance?
A) Fun. That’s the only rule. Just exuberant celebration, intensity, a communal expression of joy and a sweaty good time.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Deathrock Devotionals – the full-length album – as a whole – either as a message or emotion?
A) Oh, that’s out of my hands. All I ask is that people listen purposefully, or as I say, “actively” without it being the soundtrack to washing the dishes or doing emails, and just give it a chance.
Q) What songs off this album are you looking forward to performing live?
A) The one we’ve not yet. “A Love So Bold.” Also, some b-sides which are on the way!
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Brian Molko, Anja Huwe, Johnny Marr, maybe Exxstacy, David J, Kate Pierson – there’s so many.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Only Dijon. That’s it. To me he’s it. I think the two most important groups/artists making music are Dijon and Turnstile.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you. That’s it. I feel tremendously fortunate that I get to do this and that anyone cares. I would do it regardless, but it’s a very sweet bonus and makes so much more possible. That’s NEVER taken for granted.
ALL QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JUSTIN WARFIELD