We got the opportunity to speak with Ontario act Math Club! See what singer/songwriter Wade Morrison had to say in our interview and be sure to check out his music here.
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
"I’ve been playing music my whole life! Piano lessons as a child, then teaching myself drums and guitar after that. I only started writing my own songs when I was out of high school, the first song I ever finished ended up being my first single “Hunter”, which is still a crowd favourite. I’ve released it a few times since in different versions, and added a couple of sequels so far!"
"I really fell in love with poetry and fiction in high school, and have always been obsessed with good lyrics. That’s really where the love of writing came from. It took a while to mesh that with my music, but once I did I’ve not been able to stop."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
"These days I spend the majority of my free time writing and recording as many verse and chorus instrumentals as I can. Every night after work I usually take time to record a new skeleton of a song in my home studio, and when one of those really sticks with me I’ll take note of it and start writing vocals and lyrics."
"Often I’ll write lyrics and melodies while I’m working during the day, and if I can remember them by the time I get home I’ll try and find the right instrumental to pair them with. I’ve had a tougher time finishing songs recently, it used to come much more easily to me. I think I’m more content with life now than I have been in a long time, so there’s not so much to complain about in my lyrics."
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
"So very many artists. My favourite album of all time is Counting Crows’ August & Everything After, and that still inspires me on a weekly basis. I take a lot of influence from bands I grew up with like Relient K, The Weakerthans, and Death Cab for Cutie, and lots of inspiration from more modern bands like Citizen, Movements, Pinegrove, and The Hotelier." 4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
"I’m not a big gear head! I love my pedal board, though it’s pretty bare bones. The only thing special on there is the Strymon Iridium (amp & cab simulation pedal), which I bought to make sure I never have to lug a heavy amp up the stairs at a venue ever again. It also makes home recording incredibly easy, and it sounds better than most amps I’ve ever played."
"My guitars are mostly cheap shit I bought off/stole from/traded for with friends, though I’ve been playing a Godin T-style electric for a few years and I’m a big fan of that one. My workhorse guitars are a Squier Strat with a custom CCM headstock (for my hockey fans) and a telecaster I built from a made-in-China knock-off body and a new neck. I’m not precious with my guitars, they’re stickered and dinged up and I love them to death."
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
"The vibe is so nice! I’m very anxious on stage so I try to make it a calm and welcoming environment. I’m not overly loud or energetic because I can’t play guitar that great if I’m not focusing. But it’s like being at a friend’s house and everyone is in love and warm and happy and we’re just in it together, y’know?"
"I hate when shows run too late so I try to be punctual. I hate when venues push shows to run late. I like to be in bed by 10. I love when venues have good sound, friendly employees, good beer, maybe some snacks. Crowd nice and close to the stage. Clean washrooms! Venues that are safe spaces and know how to kick scumbags out. All the good stuff."
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
"I just want the public to know my music! That would be a great start. Other than that, I’d like for them to please not worry about me. I’m not as sad as I sound on record, those are just the highlights!"
"I make all of my music myself, print my own merch, design my own album art. I want the folks out there to know that this is really and truly me, not an attempt at gaining clout or popularity. I’ve been doing this DIY thing for a long time, and it’s been a ton of fun. But if you work for a record label out there I’m SO READY TO SELL OUT! LET’S GET THAT MONEY!"
7. What’s next for you?
"Working very hard on a new full-length record! There was one almost finished a couple years ago that I grew to hate and have since scrapped, but the new stuff is going to be very nice and fun and I’m very proud of it. Hoping to get the first single out by the end of the Summer, though I’m notoriously bad at keeping those promises."
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