Los Angeles with a friend of mine,” he enthuses. “So we’ve got this studio now that we can use to do anything. I don’t even think about it as some sort of job. It’s what I like to do. I’d rather stay busy than let my mind wander and get into a dark place. Recording music is what makes me happy anyway, so it works out well.” The latest product of Wavves’ recording time arrives in the form of ‘V’. As passionate about their music as the band may be, however, it’s not all been plain sailing. Upon announcing the release of the new record, the group found themselves in the midst of major label differences. “I’m not entirely sure what happened. I don’t know what the fuck their deal is,” Nathan laughs. “I don’t think I have a bunch of fans at that label to be quite honest with you. They were just telling me what I could and couldn’t do. They’re not their songs.” he explains. “It’s a giant corporation, and for us, this record is very important. It’s more than important, it’s dire to us, it’s our life. For them it’s not even just another record; I don’t think it’s anything to them. I should probably not say too much…”
Wav v e s Nathan Williams can’t stop recording. Think of his output like bowel movements. Actually, please don’t do that. Words: Jess Goodman.
Their most collaborative album to date is a storming mix of scuzzy riffs, youthful angst, and driving optimism. “I think it’s a little more realised,” Nathan says of the release. One third of a trilogy, ‘V’ links with Wavves’ first two albums ‘VV’ and ‘VVV’. “It’s not like some story that goes through – it’s not like Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings,” the frontman jokes. “But there is a lot of stuff in there. With this one, with ‘V,’ it’s not just about the v pertaining to the v’s in the other titles of the previous records. If you look up the cover, there’s a lot of stuff in there that explains this record, and what Wavves is about.” The artwork in question is based on the ‘Five Of Cups’ card from a 1910 tarot deck by Rider Waite. A hooded figure stands surrounded by cups - three knocked over, and two standing - and they’re staring at the three fallen ones, signifiers of loss. In the background, there’s a fortress, which in tarot represents security at the cost of seclusion. Meanwhile, they’re totally ignoring
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