Interview The Walkmen

Recently, DIY caught up with The Walkmen at their San Diego show. Besides discussing their most recent album, ‘You and Me’, the band educate us on the importance of staying hydrated and how to keep yourself entertained on tour.

What have you guys been up to since the beginning of 2009?
Paul: We’ve been writing songs. Just trying to put out a couple more songs, put out a single on iTunes or something like that. So just writing and various traveling, he [pointing at Walter] went to Mexico.

Do you guys have any New Year’s resolutions? What are the chances you will keep them?
Walter: Mine is to drink more water. ‘Cause I quit smoking and I am not going to quit drinking. So I figured it would be very good to drink more water. But it’s hard to remember, you know, it’s hard work!
P: Do you have a goal? Like is there a certain amount of water?
W: No.

As experienced touring musicians, what is the best way to entertain yourselves on the road?
P: I don’t know. We like splitting up. [Laughs] Bike riding is good. We did a lot of bike riding around New Orleans. Drinking and riding bikes is a great way to spend the day. We were very drunk on our bicycles in New Orleans!
W: Yeah we were!
P: I was very worried.

But you made it home ok?
P: Yeah, but I don’t know how.

We noticed that the style of ‘You and Me’ has progressed since your last album, was that change in your music deliberate or natural and what do you think were the catalysts for the sound on this album?
P: I mean it’s definitely, I don’t know, not more depressing but quieter. I think it’s a lot of what we listened to and I think we got a bit better. That’s all. As we got better we were able to make music more how we wanted to. So we were much happier with this album.

Anything you would change about the album looking back?
P: Yeah I would cut some songs. That’s the only major complaint we’ve gotten about the album.

What would you guys say has been your proudest moment in music?
P: I really liked being on David Letterman. That was great. You know we played a show in Lisbon. We had never been there before and we got there and the people knew about us. That felt really good. We’d never been there before and we didn’t know anything about it. It’s a really cool place and to be able to go there and see it and play there felt like an accomplishment.

What drink do you find to be the most musically stimulating for your shows?
W: Water.
P: This band drinks a lot of light beer onstage.

You guys have been going now for close to a decade and have four albums under your belt, what’s next for The Walkmen to conquer?
P: I would think a new career! [Laughs] I don’t know. We are going to try to record at least a couple more songs. That’s kind of the plan right now.
W: And stay hydrated.
P: We want to see if it will make our music better.