Wallows Share the Secret to a Good Live Performance
Wallows are one of the most popular bands on the indie music scene. The group even scored a performance slot at Coachella, and while they were there, they shared their thoughts about performing in a new interview.
What does a successful show look like for Wallows?
When asked what the group considers a successful show, they responded that it’s all about the band’s energy in their shows.
“If people have a good time,” lead guitarist and bass player Braeden Lemasters said. “And if we have a good time, I think that’s pretty successful.”
“No matter what happens technically,” drummer and piano player Cole Preston explained. “If you’re having fun onstage, the people have fun in the audience.”
“I drink a RedBull to calm my nerves,” Lemasters joked, with Preston chiming in: “Reverse psychology.”
Vocalist and guitar player Dylan Minnette gave his thoughts as well, saying, “I want to go onstage today and, like, I’m already getting in the mindset of like, ‘Just go and have fun, just go and play the best you can’ because I know how easy it is to get in your head at a festival slot and it’s been so long for us since we’ve played a festival, I know that I could get up there and so easily just be overthinking everything.”
“I just want to go up there and give it raw, complete energy,” Minnette continued. “And just hope for the best.”
Wallows shares their thoughts on their sophomore album
Wallows are currently touring in support of their latest album, Tell Me That It’s Over, released in March of 2022. It’s the group’s second studio album.
“With your second album, there is expectation from people that really like your music,” Lemasters told Nylon. “But, on the other hand, we’ve put out so much music that I think it’s at least clear to our fans that really like us that we put out what we feel. If you like our music, we wrote those songs and we like them and we hope you do as well. We’re not chasing something. The only thing we’re chasing is our own inspiration and our own goals.”
Minnette chimed in, saying, “Wallows has been evolving from the second we put out our first song. From day one, we’ve intentionally wanted to make it clear that you shouldn’t expect anything from us. The whole thing with this album was not overthinking and just letting the album find itself at a certain point.”
How did Wallows begin?
The band has been making music together since 2011, going through a few different lineups and band names. Wallows played the 2011 Warped Tour under the name Feaver, then switched to The Narwhals, before settling on Wallows.
The group started releasing music in 2017, and broke through with the hit single “Are You Bored Yet? (feat. Clairo)” from their 2019 debut album Nothing Happens.
The guys of Wallows aren’t just talented musicians. Minnette is also a very successful actor, starring in Netflix hit Thirteen Reasons Why and 2022’s Scream.
Lemasters is also an actor, appearing in shows like Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and NCIS.
With Tell Me That It’s Over, Wallows proved they have successfully avoided the “sophomore slump,” and fans can’t wait to see them on tour this summer!
