Wray play the Roxy July 22
Photo by: 2ThreeFive
Wray is a super cool new band straight out of Birmingham, AL whose music is on a completely different level. Check out this band’s unique style when they perform in LA on July 22 at The Roxy.
Their music is mellow with upbeat melodies. Their self-titled debut album is set for release July 15 on Communicating Vessels along with the release of their music video for the first single “Apacheria.”
The OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to speak to Wray about their origin, first single and album.
OCCG: Why did you decide to title yourselves as Wray? How did you come up with it and how did you guys meet?
Wray: Each of our takes –
David Brown: Ray Peterson: [chanting] I’m not going to listen to this; I’m not going to hear this now.
Art: Ray! Ray! You’re chanting!
[points to book]
Art: Ray, unconscious chanting! You’re chanting!
Ray Peterson: [continues chanting with fingers in ears]
Art: [chants] I want to kill everyone. Satan is good. Satan is our pal.
Art: Hey, once they get in here…
[points to Ray’s head]
Art: it’s over, pal.
David Swatzell: Ray was taken so we added a “W.”
Blake Wimberly: Comes from one of my favorite radio stations here in Birmingham, 106.7 WRAY “All the Hits, None of the Time.”
David Swatzell: As far as us meeting– David Brown and I have been playing in and out of bands together, in Birmingham, for the last ten years. Blake and I have been roommates for about 4 years and frequently went to see each other’s bands play and one day the stars aligned and we decided to jam and Wray just happened.
OCCG: What is your first single “Apacheria” all about?
David Brown: I really couldn’t sum it up with words. Ritualism, stagnation and a lack of contentment are some themes that come to mind.
OCCG: What is your biggest fear as musicians?
David Brown: To lose interest in conceptual music and/or the cathartic process of writing. But that would never happen.
David Swatzell: That I’ll be 60 and still having to work a day job. I don’t care about fame or being a millionaire. I just want to be able to do what we were born to do and be able to consistently pay basic bills like rent and be respected by our peers.
OCCG: What do you hope to accomplish a year from today?
David Swatzell: Have our sophomore album out and be back here in Los Angeles playing for you guys.
OCCG: What are you most excited about regarding your brand new tour across the United States with the surf rock group Man or Astro-man?
David Swatzell: Mainly excited to be on the road doing what we love to do. We’ve known the Man or Astro-Man? Guys for a while and they’ve been so great and helpful along the way. It’s a blast getting to see them play every night.
David Brown: Space dust in the van.
Blake Wimberly: Birdstuff’s food challenges.
OCCG: If you could go on tour with any artist or band, who would it be and why?
David Brown: Brian Eno and then we will get him to produce our next record.
David Swatzell: That’s a tough one. As far as bands that are still playing– Slowdive just started playing again; that’d be nice or maybe the Stones just cause it’s the freakin Stones. As far as bands that are dead/broken up maybe Can or Roxy Music in their prime.
OCCG: Your self-titled debut album is set to be released July 15 on Communicating Vessels. What do you want your listeners to learn and gain from it?
David Brown: I am not sure I want them to learn anything, just listen…maybe while they run or drive or fall asleep.
OCCG: What are you most looking forward to at your show at The Roxy?
David Brown: Playing for people who have no idea who we are.
David Swatzell: Hopefully it will prompt people that enjoy it to check out other music coming out of our hometown of Birmingham, Al. There is so much insane talent coming out of our city right now. Tons of great bands that are about to start making headlines everywhere.