Q&A with Wideawake

Popular Austin band visits Little Rock

Words: Megan Bettis
Photos: Kaysie Dorsey

     Wideawake is one of those bands that just won't go away. Since forming in Austin, Texas, in 2002 they've exploded, selling over 30,000 units with their first four releases. They've opened shows for several larger acts including Switch Foot, Third Eye Blind, Sister Hazel, and Gavin DeGraw. In 2004, Sheryl Crow joined them in performing her award winning song, “If It Makes You Happy.” Their tracks have been featured on Dawson's Creek and The Ring. And that's just the beginning.
     In the past four years, Wideawake has definitely made a name for themselves in the Austin music scene. They've participated in the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival for the past several years. They managed to take home Best Rock Band, Best Pop Band, Best Male Vocalist and Best Songwriter at the Austin Music Awards in 2005 and this year, they seemed to place in every category.
     With another SXSW under their belt, Wideawake was taking some time in April for a mini tour. I got a chance to get with guitarist, Nate Navarro, before they started their tour.

Localist: This year, South by Southwest celebrated its twentieth birthday. It was pretty overwhelming this year, huh? How did your showcases go?

Navarro: Friday night's show at Six Lounge was great! Lance Armstrong was in the crow. We took pictures with him after the show and made our mommas proud.

Localist: What were your favorite/least favorite acts this year and why?

Navarro: My favorite band this year was Wideawake. Great guys, great songs—a must-see band that is going places! No, really—our other favorite this year was our new friend Glen Phillips. He's a solo artist, but used to be the frontman for Toad the Wet Sprocket, one of our favorite bands. We went to his show the second night of the Festival and our singer, Scott, performed "Walk on the Ocean" with him—yet another proud moment for mom.

Localist: With the influx of talented bands and performers we're seeing in indie music, do you think that means that the standard for the quality of music has risen as well? Do you think that the internet has anything to do with this?

Navarro: No, quality music comes from creative and passionate people doing what they love to do—not from a computer.

Localist: The recent popularity of the internet buzz bands such as Tapes 'N Tapes has really impacted the way the industry markets market music. What are your thoughts on the web as a means for marketing and promoting?

Navarro: The internet has made it easier for indie acts to get their music out across
the country. Unfortunately for record companies, it has made it harder to sell records.

Localist: This year at the Austin Music Awards, it seems like you guys placed in almost every category—how do you feel about that?

Navarro: Winning feels better than losing!

Localist: This Saturday, you guys play Sticky Fingerz in Little Rock. Have you guys played in Little Rock before? If so, any memorable experiences you'd like to share?

Navarro: Yes, our first Little Rock show was with Blue October (an amazing band) and their fans were great to us!

Localist: What are you looking forward to about your short visit to LR?

Navarro: This band from Austin is playing in town, so I think I will go to the show.

Localist: What will you guys be listening to on your way there? Is there any standard “on the road” music?

Navarro: Toad the Wet Sprocket, Pete Yorn, demos of new songs, Doxodeo, Chapter 41, Thread, Our Leap Year Day…

Localist: One difference I've noticed between Austin and Little Rock is their local musicians and their support system. In Little Rock, when a band is successful or gaining attention, the musicians there are quick to proudly state that they're from Arkansas. In Austin, that's often not the case—many times the band getting the buzz is either ignored or criticized. Why do you think that is?

Navarro: We're proud of our little town. Austin has lots of musicians, pretty girls, and great Mexican food.

Localist: For those who have never heard of Wideawake, how would you describe your sound?

Navarro: I would say that if you have never heard of Wideawake, we may be the best band you have never heard of.

Localist: Which audience do you think your music is most appealing to? Why?

Navarro: People who love good songs!

Localist: Someone recently referred to you guys as the “Jesus Goo Goo Dolls.” It seems as though it may be possible that your lyrics have a spiritual, almost religious, undertone. Is there any truth to that?

Navarro: Definitely! We have always looked up to U2 as a band that has blended rock and spirituality in a way that comes across as very genuine. Of course we aspire to be like that? Who doesn't want to be Bono?

Wideawake kicks off things this weekend in Dallas. Their second stop is Sticky Fingerz in Little Rock, Saturday April 1.

www.wideawake.com

Megan Bettis is originally from Little Rock. She now resides in Austin where she serves as Editor In Chief/ Publisher of ATX Magazine and Ballet Mistress Extraordinaire at Austin Dance Company. In her free time she's a corporate wage slave.