Interview with Will Wood (Will Returns!)

We had the pleasure of interviewing Will Wood over Zoom video.
Cicada Days is a beautiful singer-songwriter piece by the enigmatic and influential Will Wood. Once known for his manic, high-energy songs, Will is releasing next month the most accessible composition in his new sound, one that is grounded in acoustic instrumentation with a much more mellow vibe compared to past releases. What begins as a melodic acoustic piece with lilting, gorgeous vocal lines, "Cicada Days" builds and later explodes into a sound of controlled chaos, just like the insects themselves.
From Will:
"Cicadas spend the vast majority of their seventeen-year life cycles underground. They chew on roots for the better part of two decades, crawl up trees, Cronenberg/Kafka into enormous flies, tear out of their alien shells, scream for two months, and die. I guess cicada days could either be a long time spent growing but not emerging, or they could be days spent struggling to become something new that doesn’t quite pan out so great, or they could be the two months of screaming. Or maybe it’s the height of summer, or the days when you can’t stand the noise outside.
I guess don’t really know. But the words feel kind of right to say. The big, noisy final chorus was kind of a limb I went out on while making the demo for this one. I didn’t have a bridge or a last chorus, and because I was no longer looking at songs as needing to always be some anthem-like I used to, I was willing to risk ruining it by trying something new. So I just said to myself, “what if I put another chorus here and just made it really unpleasant?”
The sounds you hear are guitarist Mike Bottiglieri (who also played mandolin and lap steel guitar on the track) in a tiny iso booth with his guitar and amp cranked manipulating the feedback. We had to put earplugs and gun range earmuffs on him for safety, and I had to give him visual cues instead of playback to track along with.
I feel like this track is a pretty essential example of the ways in which I’ve changed as an artist and as a person over the past couple of years." - WW

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[@justhere2153]

Love how about 25 minutes in Will starts interviewing you

[@ariellavender6060]

The story behind Tom cat disposables absolutely breaks my heart but it’s wonderful that he was able to turn it into such a sad experience into a song that brought attention to animals that are seen as lesser. The first time I listened to the song it did make me cry, RIP little mouse.

[@BringinitBackwards]

completely agree Ariel! Such a heartfelt song 🙏 Really appreciate that you took the time to watch the interview!

[@jackbarnhart7394]

so real, my fav song in the world

[@iamcre8ive]

I love listening to this man talk. He always has something enlightening to say.

[@jenjaminbenkins6075]

The phrase Cicada Days also brings to me an abstract feeling I can't quite describe.

[@BringinitBackwards]

🤔🤔🤔

[@goatgang6461]

nostalgia for something you’ve never experienced?

[@Maybe_youre_quicksand]

@@goatgang6461 Yeah, exactly that!

[@goatgang6461]

@@Maybe_youre_quicksand YEAH ME TOO

[@BugsAndBobbit]

Will wood just makes me so hopeful. Some of his songs are perfect for when im down, but who he is as a person now makes me remember that it's going to be okay. GO WILL WOOD‼️‼️

[@SharkCat-yj8vl]

He's inspired me as an artist to branch out into music-

[@binkbonkremy]

It's nice to see how honest Will wood is throughout this whole interview, very inspiring man.

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much, bink bonk! SO happy you enjoyed the interview 🔥🔥🔥

[@noahproblem5257]

looking and hearing about how will has changed through the years battling with addiction and self hatred is so painfully helpful to hear right now.

[@SharkCat-yj8vl]

His relatable lyrics comfort me, make me so glad I'm not alone

[@a.shopping_cart]

im wearing a hoodie rn to honor parmesan rind mouse

[@BringinitBackwards]

HAHA! Amazing!! haha

[@cicadadays420]

i liked how will was kind of interviewing you about radio half way through lol. it was very interesting to hear and i was also surprised about the 17 years

[@BringinitBackwards]

thanks, remi!! haha!

[@cicadadays420]

rare will wood interview.

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thanks for checking it out, remi! Will is such an awesome person!!

[@kidicarus7044]

will looks so happy and relaxed in this interview, that makes me smile :)

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much!! 🙏

[@Cicadas_dead_channel]

i almost started crying when he was explaining the story behind tomcat disposables

[@yum_parmesan]

ME TOO BRO

[@cats-a-lot3609]

TIMESTAMP PLEASE 😭😭😭😭

[@lizzyhusson2506]

i did and I'm not ashamed LOL

[@lapizcata6930]

Interesting to hear the story behind tomcat disposables, I had read it as a metaphor/allegory/whatever for his career just as he described! R.I.P. Parmesan rind mouse :( Great work on this interview, I enjoyed it :)

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much for checking out the interview! Will is so creative!

[@user-fg6qq4hq3c]

I love how calm and mature he looks here

[@BringinitBackwards]

Will is awesome!! Thanks for checking out the interview!

[@possibly_stupid]

And then you listen to the podcast

[@user-fg6qq4hq3c]

@@possibly_stupid what podcast

[@possibly_stupid]

@@user-fg6qq4hq3c Life in the World to Come

[@archer244]

@@user-fg6qq4hq3c life in the world to come

[@None-gc2hj]

To all of those who would like the time stamp for Tomcat Disposables, here you are! 34:48 (And Cicada Days is at 43:40)

[@jackbarnhart7394]

I would make the hot take that will wood is the best creator of art alive today and defend it with my soul.

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thanks for watching the interview and sharing your thoughts! I appreciate your passion for Will Wood's art. If you're not already subscribed to our KZbin channel, please consider doing so to stay up to date on all our interviews and other content. What other artists do you think have a unique and creative style of art?

[@MichaelTurner856]

This guy is so inspirational. Thanks Will :)

[@BringinitBackwards]

Completely agree, Michael! Thank you so much for checking out the interview!!

[@3sides1eye28]

I always read cicada days as an allegory for climate change and like. mourning the impact humanity has on earth? cicada days is...now. "last minute desperation " in response to the sudden ,violent realization of the impact we've had on the world.. the progression into "the end of days" part. Kind of playing with irony ? "It just feels inhumane to lose this much" but the loss is caused by humanity and is inherently. caused by human nature.. a lot of the imagery revolves around nature and like. how humans were made? like the first 17 years were the rest of history and now were like oh fuck! capitalism is evil and the world might end! anyways. I adore will wood. used to do video essays that I've since privated but I made one about will and he left a very kind comment in response. wills work, specifically about mental illness, really speaks to me and there's a lot about his work that I admire and identify with. I'm a visual artist and honestly not a music person at all but will woods music is the sort of stuff that I want to make with my visual art. it's a difficult feeling to articulate. maybe its just bc im also a mentally ill creative from suburban New Jersey.

[@BringinitBackwards]

🔥🔥🔥

[@dustiibunnii]

Great conversation, lovely to hear from Will and yourself!!

[@BringinitBackwards]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SharkCat-yj8vl]

The way he can make such creative lyrics, and how some that I relate to make me feel not alone is so admirable.

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much for watching the interview and for your kind words! It's clear that you appreciate the creative lyrics this artist is able to make. If you don't already, we hope you'll consider subscribing to our channel for more inspiring interviews with talented musicians. What are some of your favorite songs that you find yourself coming back to over and over again?

[@sarinaserena]

love this! i like that it often feels less like an interview and more like a genuine conversation. both will and the interviewer are awesome :)

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much, hansel!! That means so much to us! Thanks again for checking out the interview 🙏

[@saltycracker4623]

fr, this is not just an interview. they were really talking to each other with great interest, I love how it's all so genuine and they're both really nice to each other

[@alextouzet4941]

i feel strange saying i relate to a lot of what he's saying, but a lot of it certainly resonates.. especially now i'm in college figuring out which art to pursue, and whether or not i can really follow through with music what with insecurity and financial hardship. but this does make me hopeful. thank you for this interview

[@yunivursexe7634]

This was super interesting! You did a great job leading this interview :-) I'm really happy for WW's growth as an artist, and for his well deserved success. Hope that he eventually does find a satisfying way to word his ideas about balancing the horrors of being perceived with the joys of making and sharing something beautiful, things that matter to people

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much, Yunivurs!!! I really appreciate the kind words and support! I'm really glad you enjoyed the interview 🙏🧡

[@Nerd2025.]

I 100% thought Tom Cat Disposables was a metafor for life, Its actally really intresting on what it really means! its a very good song and its cool that i know what it means now

[@BringinitBackwards]

Will Wood is a genius! Thanks for checking out the interview!

[@kyliestaraway2492]

Sometimes we do the things we have to do not because, we want it but, because it needed to be done

[@jackbarnhart7394]

32:00 will wood's most listened song is I/me/myself, It was pushed by algorithms due to engagement due to controversy...

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thanks for watching the interview and taking the time to comment! I'm glad you found this topic interesting. If you don't already, I'd encourage you to subscribe to our channel for more interviews and insights into the music industry. What artist have you been listening to lately that you think should be more recognized?

[@cinnabard955]

I mean probably less controversy and probably more the fact that the song blew up on tiktok for non controversy reasons, which is how the song got popular enough to fall into controversy in the first place

[@AlfredLovesBread]

Will wood interview are always so interesting he’s such a cool guy

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thanks for watching the interview! We appreciate your kind words about Will. If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to our KZbin channel for more interviews and updates! What's your favorite type of music?

[@aniaacw4497]

Will is super inspirational. I’m an aspiring artist, who is currently writing songs. Will has inspired me to express myself and be authentic through music, and it means a lot to me and many others that he is super authentic and real with his own emotions, and how he conveys them in his music. Great interview! Thanks.

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thank you so much for watching! We are so happy to hear that Will's story and music has been able to inspire you on your journey as an artist. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our KZbin channel for more interviews and music related content. What is one thing that you have learned about creating music that you would like to share with others?

[@aniaacw4497]

⁠@@BringinitBackwardsI think something I struggle with and would advise others to try and avoid is comparing yourself to your idol(s). Creating music is definitely not an easy thing, and it takes time to evolve, grow, and improve as an artist. And pressuring yourself to be as good as someone with potentially loads of more experience than you, it’s just not a good thing to do. It takes the excitement out of everything. Thanks for the question!

[@BringinitBackwards]

Absolutely, you've hit the nail on the head! Comparing ourselves to our idols can sometimes dampen the joy and creativity that comes with making music. It's important to remember that every artist's journey is unique, and growth takes time. Your dedication to evolving and improving as an artist is truly inspiring. Keep focusing on your own progress and the excitement of creating, and you'll continue to carve out your own path in the world of music. Thanks for sharing your insightful perspective!

[@alek-mr4kl]

Tysm for the interview!!!

[@winglt3]

Songwriting mentor / unwitting therapist THAT COULD NOT BE MORE TRUEEEEE. Istg my piano teacher is my therapist, she's Christian, but shes so accepting and kind and fun to be with! At first i was nervous with her because she asked to hear the song i was playing (Little Miss Perfect) to get a better feel for it, and she was unbothered by the outright lesbian talk and last week i asked her to print out he sheet music for The Main Character and she asked to her _that_ one as well, she didn't care about the one swear! i would trust her with my life, shes so amazing!

[@shirafune]

i love will wood

[@BringinitBackwards]

's music! Thank you for watching and for the kind words about Will Wood's music! We appreciate your support. If you don't already, please consider subscribing to our channel for more interviews, music news, and more. What type of music do you enjoy listening to most?

[@shirafune]

​@@BringinitBackwardsjust subbed ‼️ no no, i love will wood specifically all jokes aside, i really enjoy the nice change of pace of In case I make it, and i really look forward to see where his music will develop. i really like the vibe that will gives off, and seeing him explore "new" styles that don't necessary align with what he is usually associated with, the edgy folk/punk guy. really enjoyed the interview too :)

[@The_momur]

Anyone follow Mona Pants? She lost two of her brothers in relatively rapid succession. Part of the Pants family story is how much the dogs love cheese. They’d have long discussions about it. It just hit, Cooperton and Tosh having all their favorites in the great beyond.

[@BringinitBackwards]

Ill have to check out Mona Pants! Thanks for the support and checking out the interview!

[@library.of.al_xandria]

This album made me want to adopt every kind of rodent as a pet

[@BringinitBackwards]

! Thanks for watching the interview! If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to our KZbin channel to keep up with the latest interviews and music reviews. We'd love to have you join us! Speaking of pets, what's your favorite song about animals?

[@library.of.al_xandria]

@@BringinitBackwards Absolutely! My favorite song about animals (excluding Tomcat Disposables to not bring any prerequisited bias into the conversation) is "Boys Will Be Bugs" by cavetown. I have no idea if bugs count as animals but I love them so that will be my final answer. Love the podcast man!

[@birchwood5889]

@@library.of.al_xandria they are they’re just not mammals

[@goatgang6461]

any chance you could add timestamps to this video, it’s quite long obviously, and timestamps would make it a lot easier to navigate it!

[@BringinitBackwards]

Thanks for watching the interview! We appreciate your feedback and we'll look into adding timestamps to this video. In the meantime, would you mind subscribing to our channel for more interviews and music-related content? What type of music do you enjoy best?

[@goatgang6461]

@@BringinitBackwards Oh yeah I’ll definitely subscribe! I listen to a lot of alt and indie. Oh, have you ever heard of Shayfer James? I would love to see an interview with him!

[@elfrin2374]

Why do they look like cousins?

[@BringinitBackwards]

Hi there! Thank you for watching the interview. Your observation is quite interesting! If you haven't done so already, please subscribe to our channel for more interviews like this one. On a musical note, which musicians would you enjoy seeing collaborate as if they were family members?