Interview with Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson

Peach Pit Bassist

LOVE Being So Normal—the album has a perfect end-of-summer feel in both sound and lyrical content. What was the songwriting process like?

Thanks. Basically the songwriting process goes like this: Neil (Smith - guitarist and vocalist) writes a chord progression/melody/lyrics, and brings it to the rest of the band to tweak and arrange. Mikey (Pascuzzi - drummer) and I figure out how to hold it down and Chris (Vanderkooy - guitarist) writes a catchy lick at which point the song really starts to piece itself together. Being So Normal was a result of this over the past three years.

How do you think this album has evolved creatively from your debut EP, Sweet F.A.?

I think Sweet F.A. is overall a pretty bright and poppy record whereas Being So Normal goes from grungy pop to sad ballads and everything in between. It’s a pretty versatile album, and I think it really showcases all the different styles we like to dip into.

How do you guys set the mood in the studio when you’re recording? And what’s your favorite memory you have of recording Being So Normal?

We recorded Being So Normal in The Space Studios in Vancouver, B.C. It’s a small cozy studio that’s pretty much designed to look and feel like a living room so the mood sort of sets itself in a way. It kinda feels like you’re going home to drink some coffee and hang out and play music. I think the favorite memory of recording the album was when we all decided that being naked while recording would allow us to become one with the songs. Didn’t work, maybe next album!

Your song “Seventeen” is epic. What were you guys doing at that age?

Chris and I were actually running a not-for-profit tie dye t-shirt company called Make A Difference Or Dye Tieing, raising money for a school in Rwanda that we had worked at for a month one summer. Neil was playing in a folk duo called Dogwood and Dahlia, which he tends to get embarrassed about because of his pimply face in their videos, but I think it’s really good and you should check it out. Couldn’t really tell you what Mikey was up to at 17; in fact I asked him and he responded, “Couldn’t tell ya,” so there you have it.

Describe your onstage presence in three words, what would you say?

Sweaty. Sad. Saucy.”

Any pre or post-show rituals?

We usually give each other a sloppy wet kiss before the show to really loosen up and allow for ultimate weirdness on stage. Neil also ends up vomiting before a lot of shows. He’s not nervous, he’s just so excited that he can’t keep anything down. Sometimes Mikey does a DJ set backstage on his phone and we have a dance party.

How does the band stay sane and/ or entertained while on the road?

There’s never a dull moment on the road. I actually dread tour for the sake of laughing too much. Whether we’re spending hours scratching lottery tickets or playing endless games of backgammon, we are entertained 100% of the time. Mikey is a very important person to have around, he makes sure we’re always laughing. He might be the funniest person I’ve ever met.

What’s the most exciting thing about being in Peach Pit? What do you hope the future holds for the band?

I think the most exciting thing about being in Peach Pit is that we’re all such close friends. I get to follow my dream and my passion with the three dopest dudes I know, which is pretty rare. I can speak on behalf of the entire band when I say that our hopes for the future of this band is to play in front of as many people in as many different countries as possible and to keep writing honest music that we love to play.

BEING SO NORMAL