In the afterglow of their latest exciting single, 'Wack,' I had the privilege of getting an interview with Houston-based duo Negative Fauna
INADRM Radio: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. So what originally got you into making your own music?
Meybel: I taught myself how to play guitar. My curiosity and interest was what led me to make my own music. It was something that naturally happened- just like many people when they start playing an instrument. I started exploring and creating things on the guitar and then the drums. We got a very beat up beginner drum set from a thrift store, and I started messing around with it. Bianca just started learning to play the guitar around that time. We would jam together. That is how we learned how to play our instruments and compose. Again it was a natural progression of things. We never really had a vision that we would make a band or anything.
INADRM Radio: That is such a natural progression for such a far-out sound. I love to hear that you've been making music together since the beginning, that chemisty can definitely be heard in your music. What was the main inspiration behind your newest single "Wack"?
Bianca: I personally wouldn’t say there is an inspiration behind the song Wack. But I do recall listening to a lot of Tricot around that time, so maybe I was subconsciously influenced by their sound.
Meybel: Instrumentally, I do not recall the inspiration since it was made a couple of years ago. It was just something that we jammed and that is what flowed out of us. I wouldn’t say the song has a linear inspiration, because it comes from all over the place. Lyrically and vocally I would say my anger was a source of inspiration. I was very angry and frustrated at the time and wanted to convey that in the song somehow. I wanted the vocals to contribute energy and power to the song. I referenced artists whose songs that I loved to sing at the top of my lungs and sort of used them as guides. I referenced Jeff Buckley and King Woman among many others.
INADRM Radio: That is incredible. Again, I love hearing about such a natural process. The vocal perfomances really do bring alot of energy and power to the track. The focus on bringing the same level of artistry as those you look up to really paid off well. Could you tell us a bit about the creative process behind "Wack"? How did the song come together?
Bianca: The instrumentals of the song were made years ago, and we named the song based on the vibe we got from it. It sounded kinda silly and goofy in a way.
Meybel: The guitar and drums were jammed out and we refined it over the years. I remember making most of the bass parts before a show (when we tried playing as a trio). At the time I never really played bass so I went in with a guitar player mentality. I made the vocals last summer. We already knew this song had potential and by adding vocals it would make the song even better. The vocals are the cherry on top- it really completes the song. As for the lyric writing process, I made a word moodboard of the feel of the song. For example some words I wrote down were “energy, sun, groovy, liar, funny, raw”. I tried to capture the mood of the song. This helped me refine the words I used. For years I have been writing down ideas, thoughts, observations, criticisms, words, and lyrics down in my notebooks. I looked through them and got phrases, words, and whatever I thought would work in the song and started to compose them to the instrumentals.
INADRM Radio: The practice defintiely paid off. It sounds very tight in a way that demonstrates your musicianship and not editing skills. The musicianship and production on this single is phenomenal. Were you influenced by any other artists or works of art during the writing of "Wack"?
Bianca: Maybe we have a mixture of sounds because we listen to different types of music. But I can’t pinpoint any main influences. We just make what comes out naturally when we jam.
Meybel: The song is influenced by the wide range of artists we listen to. I can’t really give a precise answer of who because you don’t decide who you get influenced by.
INADRM Radio: Your music definitely doesn't sound like anyone else. And I mean that in the best way. It's cool to hear that you take influence from a bit of everything and work it into your art. What does the near future look like for Negative Fauna?
Bianca: We want to have a full album out in the near future. We have the songs, we just need to finish recording and finish polishing up some songs.
Meybel: We want to finish writing and recording the songs we are working on. We want to release them as an album. I want to play more shows. I want us to continue working on our music. Possibly get a bass player in the future?
INADRM Radio: I am very excited to hear about a new album in the works! I'm sure everyone else wants to hear it as well. I hope that you find a bass player and that this year is very fruitful for you show-wise. Thank you for taking the time to make the music that you make and for sharing words about the creative process behind your work. I've got one more question for you:
When it comes to staying hopeful during trying times, do you have any words to share with your current/ future listeners?
Bianca: I’m not good at giving advice, but all I can think of is to continue to do what you love to do, and just believe in your art. Good things will eventually happen.
INADRM Radio: I think that's excellent advice. Thank you again for taking the time to do this interview, wishing you both the best in your future endeavors!
Go listen to Negative Fauna and follow/ subscribe so you don't miss out on the album that is on the way!
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