Senryu’s new album, Half Wild, drops April 5th (April 1st in their hometown of Knoxville) and as a preview, we have their first single, ‘Great Expectations.’ We spoke with songwriter and lead singer Wil about the album and the meaning behind the single, which you can listen to and download after the jump.
TMS: So tell me about the album, why did you decide to make it more personal?
Wil: My songwriting has always been relatively personal, but very coded.
TMS: And this album isn’t?
Wil: I was advised by a few people who I go to for advice that I might discover more compelling stories and songs if I just decode a bit. Invest more of myself in a riskier way. In the light.
TMS: And did you?
Wil: The songs are still not just my guts on a table, but yes. More than anything, its made the songs impossible to “phone in.” It’s all very challenging to both perform AND listen to. For me.
TMS: Are you self conscious about that?
Wil: Very. Playing the songs live makes me real sweaty. Almost nervous. G.E. is the thesis of the album.
TMS: What is that thesis?
Wil: It’s about personality death. Major (and minor) events that kill a version of you and make another.
TMS: a rebirth?
Wil: Sometimes they are big, small, nice, horrible. And usually the only way to see them is to look back, like “where did I go?” G.E. is the new, talking to the old, just before it dies.
TMS: What does it say?
Wil: “This doesn’t die with you” Its a hard thing to hear, right before you go.
TMS: I don’t know, sounds kinda nice. How is it recording such personal material with a band?
Wil: They kinda let it do its thing. Not too many questions.
TMS: What is the meaning of the album title, Half Wild?
Wil: That’s the in-between place. Half Wild. It is the transition. The idea of being the once wild, and transitioning to broken. There’s no way back, but you’re the same animal.
TMS: Transitioning to broken?
Wil: The album is a march, a countdown towards that change. And between one thing and the other, you are Half Wild. Broken, like a horse. As opposed to wild.
TMS: Oh I see… Just got that. So what’s taming you?
Wil: Wild is something that hasn’t been altered. Something always is. I can only look back and see old ones. I’m too close to right now. When I was 10, I peed my pants in a batting cage. A carefree part of me died in that cage… I guess Half Wild is peeing your pants, but not regretting it yet. It’s like passing a baton. For one moment, there are two people holding it. Half Wild.
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MP3: Senryu – ‘Great Expectations’
