After the success of two sold-out east coast shows mid 2016 between recording commitments, Smith Street Band’s Will Wagner returns to the stage in solo mode for what will be his farthest reaching tour to date.
He’s alone, but not really alone because he’s bringing with him an ensemble of friends whom he has acquired through years of overseas touring. support will come from Laura Stevenson (USA), Ian Graham (USA) and Iona Cairns (UK).
Playing solo is something of an artistic respite for Wagner who’s usually up front in his rock band.
‘It’s not quite as loud,’ he muses. ‘It’s how I started; I was playing solo shows before the band came to be.
‘I like that it’s more spontaneous; I don’t have to stick to a set list, so I can play different versions of my songs.
‘I think it’s a different way for people to hear the songs.’
Of course Wagner will be playing Smith Street songs.
‘People would be annoyed if I didn’t, although this show is a bit different because it’s me and three other people. We work out a little set at the end and all play each other’s songs. It will be a bit collaborative. It’s campfire stuff, except everyone at my campfire can play!’
Wagner is a gifted songwriter. His strength lies particularly in his lyrics. Take Song About Why I Suck for example, where he laments: ‘Before if I fucked up anything I only hurt me. I’d never hurt anyone but now there are real people my actions are fact and I cannot stand it.
‘I cannot handle it. I smoke too much weed and watch too much TV. I always run out of cigarettes. I lie about everything. This used to be me but now it’s feeling stale and friendly and I hate what I’ve become…’
This is a songwriter who’s prepared to write about hard stuff.
Wagner reflected on Song About Why I Suck. ‘If I tried to rewrite it, it would have changed. It had to come out like that. It’s not poetic; it’s basically a list of reasons I suck. There is a fine line, I think, when you make music, to know when to work on something and when to leave it alone. Sometimes if you produce a song it’s better, sometimes it’s not. You have to know.’
Depression is a subject that Wagner also sings about. He also goes into schools and speaks on the topic and shares his strategies for wellbeing, or just getting on with stuff.
‘I have got serious depression and anxiety and have had forever, and I guess my angle is that music is therapy and writing is therapy, and I like to talk to people about how important expression is if you struggle with things. I am mainly talking to kids in different situations and encouraging them to use creativity. That’s why I started writing songs.
‘No-one gets into the music industry because everything is great. It’s not an industry full of high school prefects. You write because you have things to get out. The most important thing is using music as therapy – it’s freeing.’
It’s something Wagner finds amusing. He has made a career writing about his inadequacies and struggles.
‘I was talking to a friend the other day because I hadn’t been on tour for a while, and complaining that no-one had applauded me for my mistakes for months!
‘There is nothing more amazing then going onstage and saying this is why I dropped out of uni, and afterwards people come up and say, yes me too! Even in places such as Berlin. I have a community of like-minded people everywhere.’
Wagner has given up smoking. Ironically so many of his songs are about smoking that he is often approached by fans after the show wanting to have a cigarette with him.
‘I haven’t smoked for 18 months. I was so ready to stop. I thought it was going to be harder. There are three or four higher notes on the new album I couldn’t have sung while I was smoking. It’s funny though, one of the high points of the Smith Street Band is when people throw ciggies onstage and then they come back afterward, saying, I have always wanted to have ciggy you; I don’t want to do that! I thought oh no, I am encouraging people to smoke!’
Smith Street Band’s new album is out in April, and Wagner will be giving a sneak preview of some of the band’s new tracks in solo acoustic mode.
‘It’s a great way to get a taste of the songs to come,’ says Wagner.
Will Wagner and friends at the Hotel Great Northern on Thursday 16 February.
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