Your debut Self-Titled EP was recently released, what are some themes we can expect to find throughout the songs?
Well since it was the first few songs I wrote for Like Wild, which was the first band or musical endeavor I've ever done alone, there is definitely a positive and excited tone to the EP. I've been in and out of bands the past couple of years and I've finally found what I've been looking for. So sure there are some political and love themes, but overall I would say that it is a positive representation of how I was feeling at the time.
You have a distinct acoustic sound; who are some of your influences?
I listen to a great deal of music ranging from country to punk rock. However there are definitely genres and bands that influence the music I write. I really like anything that Ryan Adams has done. The man can write anything from beautiful, raw acoustic songs to rockin' Americana songs. I also really like the honesty that many of the classic folk/country artists had including Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Townes Van Zandt, etc. As far as newer bands go I've been jammin' a lot of The Avett Brothers, Elliot Smith, Bon Iver, Dave Rawlings Machine, and more.
Like Wild is composed solely of you; were you ever in any bands or played with other people in the past?
I've been in a lot of bands in that past. Most notably the pop band The Right Coast. However now I am the sole member of Like Wild and I have some very talented friends who play with me live. Maybe someday I will have permanent members.
According to your twitter page, you were stoked to realize that Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza was still a band, definitely a much heavier sound than the music you play. Are there any other bands or genres that you are into that may surprise your fans?
Haha. I grew up listening to punk and hardcore/metal music. Tony Danza was one of the bands I really dug in high school. So I was surprised to see them still kickin'. My friends This Or The Apocalypse are actually on tour with them right now. TOTA just released a new album and it rules. Buy it.
As far as genres that I surprisingly like? I really enjoy anything that's not ICP or top 40 pop music. I'd say I certainly favor independent music, but I like a little of everything.
Now that your EP has been released, what can we look forward to seeing you do next?
Well, Like Wild is still in the very early stages. So I guess I'll just keep playing a bunch of shows regionally and nationally and keep cranking out new tunes. Good things are coming out of this, I promise.
Questions by freelancer: Alison Conklin