5 writers, 5 questions, 1 band, hand-picked by MWA. Welcome to FIVE x FIVE. This week: The dark outsider pop of Appleton, WI native Colin Wilde and his one-man band Black Thumb.
What are your thoughts on the psych music community in the Midwest?
The midwest has a lot to offer in terms of all things creative. There are wonderful artists here that span the broad scope of psychedelia. Artists like Moss Folk, Apollo Vermouth, YOU., Plasticland, Ravi Lola and countless others. I think Andrew Shelp the main person behind Milwaukee Psych Fest/Moss Folk is doing a great job in the maintaining of community in a time and space in the Arts where it’s easy to feel isolated and like you exist in a vacuum. I also think the Milwaukee venue Cactus Club is a great place and goes out of its way to give a lot of people who exist in various different genres the outlet to express themselves.
In your experience, what are some of the benefits of performing and composing music as a solo act as opposed to working with a full band?
I love writing music on my own. When you are composing on your own you can sort of get lost in process and come to a little later on to realize what it is you are conveying and trying to put forth. I view it as a very therapeutic experience. When playing music with others all of the anxieties that go along with creating music on your own sort of go away and it just becomes much more easy going and relaxed, i think. I think they both have their upsides and are both greatly rewarding. I have lots of people to thank for collaboration as well. Matt Stranger, Ridley Tankersley, Julia Blair, Johnny Beck, Ryley Crowe and so many others.
Your music has been described as “gloomy but also hooky” is there a perfect balance of the two that you actively strive for or is that just how the songs come out?
The minimal is maximal approach seems to work best for me. Limiting yourself to as few chords as possible can really open up the floodgates as far as hooks or experimentation on top go. But there really are no rules for this project in terms of anything at all, really. There within lies the balance.
How has growing up and living in a Midwestern suburb informed the way your compose music?
I would just say it leads to more time and opportunity to be creative. When there isn’t much to do, you have to rely on yourself and your own imagination to get through the days.
How have your past experiences been at Milwaukee Psych Fest, and what are you looking forward to this year?
I am hoping to get there early the night before to see the Telescopes. A band i’ve admired for a long time that doesn’t get as much recognition as they deserve. I am also looking forward to seeing the bands Headroom and Bong Wish.
If you’re planning a trip to Milwaukee Psych Fest this weekend (and you should) be sure to catch Black Thumb performing on Saturday, May 5th at 12pm on the Pabst Stage at Company Brewing (735 Center Street, Milwaukee, WI). Also, be sure to catch the Midwest Action team during the fest and check out the MWA stage!
Black Thumb Bandcamp | Facebook
Milwaukee Psych Fest Lineup & Schedule