The WaifsThe Waifs are back with a new album, Beautiful You, and a nice run of dates around WA this month. Bob Gordon catches up with Donna Simpson.
How was your recent run of dates in the US?
Amazing! I literally just got off the plane. We toured mainly up and down the West Coast, taking in Canada for a show as well, but mainly California. They seem to really like us there and haven’t forgotten us after all these years. Most shows were either sold-out or close to being sold-out.
It’s great to see a new album out...
Thanks buddy!
Given you’re each in far flung corners of the world now and your lives have changed over the years, was there ever a time when you thought The Waifs would no longer be?
Oh yeah, many times I’ve thought that; but when push comes to shove we’re pretty easy to get motivated to tour again. I mean it’s all we know and being creative people out juices always seem to be flowing. Songs keep coming to us and Vikki (Thornton, sister) and Josh (Cunningham) are pretty much the only people I love playing with.
We’re now juggling six kids amongst the whole logistics but it still seems to work for us.
What was it like coming together for those first run of shows after four years’ break?
It was funny how Vik and I both couldn’t wait to dress up, slap on some makeup and get out there and sing. It was exciting and nerve-wrecking, yet at the same time it was wearing your favourite old jacket. It felt smooth, and we knew we still belonged.
Do you have to feel each out a bit - musically or otherwise - or is it just an easy, natural flow?
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It’s a pretty natural flow, hence the reason we’ve been playing together for 23 years or so now. I mean, we’ve still gotta dig each other’s new songs enough to want to have some input. But the love is there for each other.
In writing songs for the new album, you tried a collaborative process for the first time but it apparently stalled and only started once you’d written a song on your own. Is the old approach the best approach?
Well if it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it right? Vikki tried to have us collaborate together and write together but I couldn’t see it working from the start. I have trouble sharing and letting go of my own lyrics and melodies.
So we stuck to the old way and just wrote on our own and then gave it up to each other to add our own magic. It worked ‘cause I love this collection of songs on the new album.
Are you conscious of writing what people will expect to be a ‘Waifs song’ or does it just emerge fully from heart and soul?
It just comes to us. I don’t try to sound like anyone or write a Waifs-sounding song. I actually couldn’t describe my style or a Waifs style.
What was it like recording all together again in Byron Bay?
Ah, good ole Byron Bay does it again. A magic place, an awesome studio, a killer producer and lots of friends stopping in to listen as we worked. It was magic and I’d do it all over again.
Are there songs on the album that sum up where The Waifs, or you are at this point?
No not really, although there has been a more mature approach to our personal writing. I mean we’re a lot older now and we’re about the things that are happening in our lives. There’s still struggles, there’s still love and longing and there’s still appreciation.
What are the plans from here?
To tour the heck out of this record and hopefully tour more regional areas of Australia and not just hit the cities. Lots more festivals in North America as well.
We’ve never had any solid plans as a band. I think that’s how we’ve stayed together for such a long time and just kept on rocking in the free world.
Originally published in X-Press Magazine
