Interview Wilsen: “It’s Important To Challenge Natural Tendencies”

 If Tamsin Wilson was making music on her own, the Wilsen project might not necessarily lose its idiosyncrasies; a collage of stirring folk and - whisper it - post-rock. But there’s a band mentality to this emerging three-piece, formed of three songwriters. There’s Wilson - schooled in Berklee’s College of Music - Johnny Simon Jr (guitars) and Drew Arndt (bass). Together they work in careful unison, although throughout the songs on debut EP ‘Magnolia’, it’s spontaneity that wins the day.

“I’ve never been too particular about guitar sounds,” says Wilson. “Johnny is such a tasteful player and it’s great to see him work his magic.” Johnny’s techniques include playing with a mink oil can - which is something. That’s one of the contributing reasons to Wilsen’s brilliant oddness. Put these three individuals in any other band and they’d weird the place out - in a good way.

Songs are formed out of a desire to knock routine. “It’s important to challenge natural tendencies and get out of regular habits, in order to find something fresh,” is the mantra. “To this point, all the sonic qualities have just been a result of what the players are influenced by at the time, without much blueprint from my end.”

Formed three years ago, Wilson approached by Johnny and Drew having been aware of their work with other bands (“luckily they hit it off quickly!” jokes Tamsin). She praises the two for being “imaginative and detail-oriented” - “I’m always learning from their approaches,” she says.

New York weaves its way in as an influence, and has done for the past three years. “Because of its density, [the city makes it] very easy to meet new people but not as simple to stay connected,” admits Tamsin. “The city’s eccentricities can be a little distracting so it’s important to escape every now and again - even if that means simply powering down the phone and computer for the day. It’s nice to have a little more breathing room to work out ideas freely and without interruption.”

New EP ‘Magnolia’ is a patchwork of these more diverse influences. Written over the past six months, these drifting, undeniably pretty numbers came out through “distracted moments in rehearsals.” Previous EP ‘Sirens’ was formed out of three years’ worth of work and scattered collections. This was a more concerted effort, leading - inevitably - to a precise, coherent effort. “We had to trust our instincts and nothing could be over-thought.’