We caught up with Waterparks’ lead vocalist, Awsten Knight, and discussed their new album, their latest music video “Stupid For You,” how the band got their name, and more. Check out the interview below!
Strife (Melanie Gomez) Every person has a reason for pursuing a music career, when did you decide music was something you guys wanted to get into and why?
Awsten: I’ve been playing and writing music for so long that it honestly didn’t seem like anything else was really an option which I’m totally fine with. I did some college to make my parents happy because I get it, it’s scary for your kid to be like, “I’m not going to school because I’m gonna be in a band.” If my kid said that, I’d shit myself out of fear that they’d be broke forever like a lot of band dudes end up. To get back to the question, it’s corny but whatever, entertainment is the only career path that really makes sense to me.
What inspired your band name? (Aside Awsten’s hair being constantly as blue as an ocean lately.)
Awsten: Love this one. We all had our first public boners at Waterparks and it was an embarrassing thing for each of us at the time. However, we see it as growing up. We see it as a new chapter in our lives full of growing hair in new places and trying desperately to keep up with shaving it off. Waterparks represents puberty.
So you’ve just released your debut album Double Dare via Equal Vision Records. What were some of your favorite and most difficult moments writing the album?
Awsten: We did. The fun part of writing the album was the freedom around the lyrics. There were so many demos that it felt like I could say whatever I want because the songs might not get picked for the album anyway. Then when it came time to actually make the track list it was like, well damn, a lot of these uncomfortable songs are now gonna be heard by the world, alright I guess.
You also just released a new music for “Stupid For You.” What inspired the “boy band” themed music video. We couldn’t help but smile the whole way through!
Awsten: Thank you! Honestly there’s not deep metaphorical stuff behind our videos, it’s just like, “what do WE wanna spend a day doing and how can we get someone to give us money to make it?” And that time we wanted to pretend to be a boy band because that’s tight. I wanna be in a boy band so I can dance and buy a house and stuff.
Which song and lyrics off of Double Dare mean the most to you and why?
Awsten: They all mean the most in different ways because they’re about different important things in my life. Some songs are me at my happiest, and that means a lot for me to be able to capture because that feeling is rare sometimes. Others mean so much in more negative ways that I don’t even listen to those songs because they ruin my mood. This question is like me having 13 kids (yikes) and asking which means the most haha they all mean the most to me in different ways.
What would you say makes you stand out from other bands when it comes to your live performances?
Awsten: Have you seen Geoff’s ass when he wears his show pants?
What’s been your favorite song to play live lately and why?
Awsten: “Hawaii” is the most fun to sing, but it’s a close call between that and “Stupid For You” because I freak when people are singing along and usually that song gets a looooot.
Do you see a headline tour in your future? Our readers are looking forward to one!
Awsten: I don’t know. If enough people buy Double Dare, yeah haha. I’m really just trying to see that HEB or Whole Foods sponsorship in the future WHAT UP. Praise Larry Keel. Follow me on Twitter.
Strife: Psst… if you’re reading this… which we know you all are… Awsten’s Twitter is @awsten… 😉
As of now, you’re on tour with Sleeping With Sirens, Tonight Alive, and State champs! What has been some of the coolest moments on the tour so far?
Awsten: I threw a basketball at a wall and it went in the hoop twice in one night, that’s all that really matters. I’ve been able to pet dogs all around the country, that’s nice too. Meeting people after shows is cool too.
Speaking of meet people after shows, we did hear you’re doing meet and greets after Sleeping With Sirens’ set. Is this true? Do fans have to buy anything to meet you guys?
Awsten: Super true. And nah, we just hang out, play with Snapchat filters and talk shit on our bassist, Blake.
What are some of the most rewarding things a fan has told you when it came to your music? (If any, or multiple fans).
Awsten: A good amount of people have told me it’s “saved their lives” but I don’t really like hearing that to be honest. If someone’s mentally not well, I don’t want them to rely on us for a temporary fix, I want them to go get actual help. My favorite thing to hear is “I didn’t know who y’all were but I loved your set so much I got the album” because that means we don’t suck live and we work pretty hard to avoid the whole “sucking at our career path” thing.
Do you have any advice for your fans who want to pursue a career in the music industry?
Awsten: Take your time. Compare what you’re doing to your favorites. If what you’re doing isn’t as cool as what they’re doing, keep working. Because no matter how hard you promote it, if the songs and recordings aren’t there people won’t be into it. Don’t rush anything. Be honest when you write and think outside the box. It’s 2017, who am I kidding? Make some melodyne-heavy YouTube covers and get good at Vine before they shut down. Also buy Waterparks merch, I heard it’s lucky.
Be sure to check out their new record Double Dare available NOW.
You can also follow the band on social media via @Waterparks on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
