Whirlwind Heat
with David, Brad and Steve on May 21, 2003
On 21 May, the White Stripes had a concert in Paradiso, in Amsterdam. I went there, and before the concert I interviewed their support act; Whirlwind Heat. I started talking to David Swanson, the singer and synth-player, and later on drummer Brad Holland and bass player Steve Damstra joined us. How would you describe your music? David: ‘It is very simple, straight to the point. It is also very energetic and emotional, both musically and lyrically. It is very... interesting!’ For the past few years, Whirlwind Heat have been touring with the White Stripes, but they had not made a CD until now. You have been touring for a long time, how did it feel to finally go into the studio and record everything one instrument at a time? David: ‘First we recorded the bass and the drums, later the vocals and the synthesizer. It was different, yes, it was less energetic than on stage. But we had a good recording experience!’ Are you happy with the result? David, Brad and Steve: ‘Yes, very happy!’ At this point, we are interrupted by a man who wants his album signed. He proclaims: ‘My son doesn’t like the CD!’ But the boys are very nice, and they give him an autograph anyway. Back to the interview. What is the theme of the album, if there is one? David: ‘Minimalism, life without materialism.’ Whirlwind Heat’s CD ‘Do Rabbits Wonder?’ was produced by Jack White from the White Stripes. What was is like working with Jack White? Did the friendship not get in the way of any criticism you might have on each other? David: ‘No, Jack knew what we wanted, and we knew what he wanted. Because we have been friends for so long, and because we talked a lot about it while we were touring and recording.’ In all the reviews I read about your CD, you keep being compared to the White Stripes. How do you feel about that? David: ‘The only connection between our music and the White Stripes is that it is both quite simple.’ Brad: ‘But the sound is not similar. So I don’t know why they do that!’ Where do you get the inspiration for your songs? David: ‘Everyday life...’ Brad: ‘The boredom of growing up in a small town.’ What bands were you influenced by? Brad: ‘Mudhoney, the Melvins, Sonic Youth, just things like that.’ What can we expect of your live show later on? David: ‘It will be very energetic and fun! Well, I don’t know if it will be fun for the audience, but we’ll be having a blast! Haha!’ Steve: ‘We won’t be having much interaction with the crowd, it is more about the music!’ All the songs on the album are named after colours. Why? Steve: ‘We did not want to use the choruses as titles, so we had no titles. For some songs we just picked the colour that we thought would fit it best, the feeling of the song...’ David: ‘...but for the other ones we just chose random colours, we just pulled them out of a hat!’ You have made a video for the song ‘Purple’. What is it like? Steve: ‘Children of the corn meets Sesame Street. Just lots of mud, and teddy bears exploding, the usual...!’ Why did you choose this song to become your next single? David: ‘‘Orange’ was our first single. We sent our CD to Terry Richardson, the director of the video, and we asked him to pick a song. And he chose ‘Purple’.’ How did you come up with the band name, Whirlwind Heat? Brad: ‘The cover of a Sonic Youth album. We just took a part of the picture.’ Steve: ‘At the time we needed a name. It does not really mean anything.’ David: ‘Maybe because our live show is like a whirlwind!’ Have you ever been to Holland before? David: ‘Yes, we have played in Rotterdam and Utrecht.’ Steve: ‘And I have spent a holiday here in Amsterdam. It is my roots!’ The boys joke around a bit about Steve’s last name being Damstra, and that he should change it to Amsterdamstra. Do you like Holland? David: ‘Yes, the water is great!’ The tap water? David: ‘No, the canals! From our dressing room we can see the boats turning around in the canal!’ Did Amsterdam live up to your expectations? David: ‘We haven’t really had time to check it out yet.’ Steve: ‘I think it is very diverse. There is a different side to everything.’ And last but not least: What is the lamest question you have ever been asked in an interview? Brad: ‘I got asked: ‘Are you Jack White’s robotic vanity project?’ Haha!’ David: ‘And someone asked me: ‘If Jack White and Jack Black would have a fight and a dancing contest, who would win?’’ So, who would? David: Jack White would win the fight, Jack Black would win the dancing contest!

(Gonneke Arts)

© Rockezine.com May 21, 2003, viewed 921 times since 666
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