Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Wesley Wolfe

Welsey Wolfe may have perfected the art of making his own records– down to writing the parts, playing the instruments, singing the words, recording it all AND cutting his own vinyl with a lathe in his personal studio— but that’s no guarantee he’ll survive this five question assault! Okay, anyone that DIY can probably handle the apocalypse with ease… but seeing as you’ll have to wait for that to happen, check out how he faces down our questions after the jump.

1. If your band (or music) were a sandwich, which would it be?
Probably some kind of sausage sandwich. I’ve been told I my music is “Sausage Music.” The wave files look like a sausage because of all the compression I like to use when mixing.

2. What do your hope listener’s discover through your music?
I can only hope they discover they like my music.

3. Describe the pressures/pleasures of a DIY approach.
At my level the pressures are very minimal. There is of course wanting to not embarrass myself in any aspect of releasing a record, but I am comfortable with what I do. Also, now that my records have gotten mentions in the press there is a desire to please reviewers. That will probably fizzle out in time since I’m going to start reviewing my own records. I’m sure anyone that makes an actual living off of writing music would consider my sales goals to be pathetic. My expectations have lowered throughout the years. It’s all about self preservation. I love doing this, I’ve tried to give up and focus on finding a “career”, but this is what I want to do until I die. I’m at a place now where I can build a website, write and record and album, design the artwork, cut 25 vinyl records, sell them out, break just about even on the cost, and repeat. I’ve found a home here in Carrboro where I can live out my dream in my own little bubble. Life is good!

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that would really surprise people?
Scrapbooking has been a major influence for releasing a homemade vinyl record. The standard size for a scrapbook is 12×12.” It is the closest thing to a LP cover. I’ve gotten a ton of helpful information trolling the scrapbooking forums.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)
When I was a kid I dreamt of playing Major League Baseball and being a billionaire. That changed drastically in high school when I discovered punk rock and minimum wage. I’m doing almost exactly what I wanted to do since then. I have given up on one day owning Neverland Ranch. Life is full of compromises.

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Click over to WesleyWolfe.com to find out your next chance to see his band in action. And by all means, give Wesley a high five when you see him!