Hello Rockstars! Today’s Artist of the week is Alt-Rock Band Washed!
Here’s their story in their own words, enjoy! 🙂
VMS:
“When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory and current lineup.”
Washed:
“I started making music 15 years ago when I was 16. I’ve always wanted to do something musical but it took till I was 20 to finally get a band off the ground. All together this is my 5th band I’ve started.
My last band The Social Set is how I started playing with Olivia our drummer and how I met Glynn our bass player. The social set was moderately successful in the Vegas scene but I wanted a fresh start so in 2022 I started washed with Olivia and brought in Glynn and grant (lead guitarist).”
VMS:
“What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.”
Washed:
“We all have a lot of different inspirations
Alot of 90’s alt and indie rock (Built to spill, Nirvana) Shoegaze (my bloody Valentine slow dive) slowcore ( horse jumper of love) emo/scramz (pique, dim) 80’s hardcore punk (dead Kennedy’s, rudimentary peni). Just a lot of different sounds we try to funnel into our sound.”
VMS:
“What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.”
Washed:
“I write almost constantly. Mostly start as little poems that I’ll morph into full songs. So I’ll write the full song on guitar with lyrics and bring it to practice to show them and have them do their thing.”
VMS:
“I love your songs “Generational Wounds”, “I Think I’m Falling In Love” and “Nostalgic For A Past That Never Happened”. What is the inspiration or story behind these songs.”
Washed:
“”Generational wounds” is about how trauma is often passed down from your parents. I’m no stranger to trauma I’ve had a kinda rough upbringing.
“I think I’m Falling in Love” is about the early stages of romance and the anxiety and excitement behind it.
And “Nostalgic for a Past That Never Happened” is about how despite my childhood wasn’t the best I feel nostalgic for it. But not really, I’m nostalgic for a childhood I could’ve had.”
Listen To Washed on Bandcamp!
VMS:
“Tell me about your Album: “Nostalgic For A Past That Never Happened.” What was the inspiration and process of writing it.”
Washed:
“For the album I had a majority of it written within the first couple months of us being a band. And I knew I wanted us to record it d.i.y and mix and master it myself. I’ve been recording myself for my solo project for years but I always wanted to do a full band project. So using a single mic for drums and my phone for the rest we recorded each song on the app Bandlab over several months. I’m really proud of how it turned out.”
Listen to “Nostalgic for a Past That Never Happened” On Bandcamp!
VMS:
“Which local artist would you like to work with and why.”
Washed:
“We have a few local favorites for sure. Pudgel, Sticker, No Surprises, Spring Breeding, Pure Sport, and Machine Death. Doing anything with any of them would be an honor.”
VMS:
“What’s your overall theme or message of your music.”
Washed:
“That it’s okay to be a weird sad queer person and you’re not alone.”
VMS:
“Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.”
Washed:
“”Goodwill, for Now” probably right now. It requires a lot of energy but it just hits.”
VMS:
“Do you have any crazy or interesting stories from working in the music scene.”
Washed:
“Last year we played a show the guys from PUTRIDSCUM threw on the side of their apartment building that was pretty crazy. Also used to play some desert shows out in the middle of nowhere those were pretty fun.”
VMS:
“What does the future hold for Washed.”
Washed:
“So as of right now we’re really focusing on getting more shows so next year you’ll see a lot more of us. And then at some point next year we’ll be dropping some more music.”
VMS:
“What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
Washed:
“I’d like them to feel understood and feel like they are part of something special.”
VMS Thoughts:
What I love about Washed is how incredibly honest they are in their songwriting. You can tell they have been through a lot personally, but luckily it seems they have been able to take those experiences and channel it into something positive. With lyrics about Love, Generational trauma, Mental Health and everything in between, up against a musical journey of pure raw magnetic energy, they are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
They really put it all out there, creating some incredibly beautiful songs that either make me want to dance or cry in my room, and I appreciate that. Sometimes I have issues fully explaining to you guys exactly how a band makes me feel, because with Washed, it truly is all over the place. I feel love, joy, anger, and sadness encompassed in all their songs, making for a beautifully tragic landscape that I find myself returning to time and time again.
Their music is just one piece of the complex puzzle, I greatly encourage you to see them live. All of that energy, and passion you feel in their songs, just fucking leaps out in their live performances, making for such a therapeutic experience live. You genuinely can tell they love what they do, and I’m so excited to see what the next evolution will be of their songwriting and live performances. Just keep being bold, honest and unapologetically yourself and you guys will go far. I’m proud to call you my Artist of the Week, and I’m excited to be a part of this wonderful music journey.
—–VMS 🙂