Dean Fertita is the lead singer/songwriter of the Waxwings. Their last album came out in 2004 and is titled Let's Make Our Descent.
Patty Cottrell: I heard that you used to work in a record store. Were you inspired by the music you listened to while working there? How did your interest in music come about?
Dean Fertita: I worked in a shop called Off The Record, which was one of the only independent stores in the area, so intially it was great to constantly hear new records. After a while, I started going back to older records for inspiration since I didn't hear them all day. I grew up playing the piano,
and I was interested in music at an early age. My friend Chris came over with an electric guitar playing AC/DC songs and then I knew I wanted to start playing. I think I bought a guitar the next week.
PC: Is Brendan Benson in the band? Will he be writing songs with youfor your next album? What happened to Dominic?
DF: This is a complicated question because I don't really know what happened to Dom, other than that he envisioned doing different things with his life after getting married. He never gave an explanation. He distanced himself from us. We all had a really hard time with it at first, but 20 minutes into our first tour without him we all felt free.
Brendan and I are working very closely together. I am playing guitar in his band and will be touring with him for his next record. He is also doing tours with us. However, he isn't a permanent member. We have talked about doing a record togther when we have time.
PC: What was it like working with Brendan for Let's Make Our Descent? I'm guessing it was a little different than working with Bob from Bobsled...
DF: Working with Brendan is great as we have known each other for such a long time. He wasn't afraid to challenge us and think outside the patterns we developed over the last few years. Bob got a producing credit on our first record, but he didn't have much to do with it at all. We were new to the label and didn't really stand up for ourselves early on.
I would have to say that Greg Frey (who manages WEEN) did more in terms of production on our first record than anyone else. All of our demos for the record were done with him at his studio. Bryan Hanna also contributed a lot to the sound of Low to the Ground.
PC: Do you feel more comfortable with Rainbow Quartz? Are they pretty supportive? It seems like they have a solid roster (Lilys, Cotton Mather, etc)...
DF:Rainbow Quartz has been great to us. I met Jim because he was interested in helping us through our problems with Bobsled and he wanted to re-release Shadow Of.. When we realized that it would be impossible, we decided to move forward with a new record. He put a lot of trust in us and we couldn't ask for more, especially all after all that we have been through.
PC: So what are you favorite albums of 2004?
DF: The last year has been a bit of a blur, but I really love the Ponys record.
PC: I've read a blurb online that said if Waxwings records had been presented as long-lost records from the 60's by an unknown band, that they would be praised to the sky by revivalists. Can you tell me about a long-lost band from the 60's or 70's that people should know more about?
DF: I have been listening to Amon Dual a lot lately.
PC: What's the weirdest/scariest band you've played with (opening for you or vice versa)?
DF: We have been fortunate not to have many scary moments. There was a night in Athens, Ga that was pretty memorable. It was 100 degrees at midnight and we were playing with a band that were all family members (except for the bass player who I think was their neighbor). Our two bands were the only ones in the place and I think that they literally came down from their house in the hills to play. It was a little uncomforable, but funny.
PC: So what's a typical day in Detroit like for you? Are you a Pistons fan?
DF: I work when I can and I am always writing. Detroit is great because you can afford to play music and yet still be responsible. I feel lucky to have been a part of the city during the last few years. I've seen success come to good friends and I think a lot of really great music is being made here right now. It's hard not to like the Pistons, but I have been a Red Wings fan for a long time.
PC: Okay, this is really simple. What are your likes and dislikes?
DF: I like watching Freeks and Geeks and I also like my new iPod. I don't like working in a factory.
Patty Cottrell: I heard that you used to work in a record store. Were you inspired by the music you listened to while working there? How did your interest in music come about?
Dean Fertita: I worked in a shop called Off The Record, which was one of the only independent stores in the area, so intially it was great to constantly hear new records. After a while, I started going back to older records for inspiration since I didn't hear them all day. I grew up playing the piano,
and I was interested in music at an early age. My friend Chris came over with an electric guitar playing AC/DC songs and then I knew I wanted to start playing. I think I bought a guitar the next week.
PC: Is Brendan Benson in the band? Will he be writing songs with youfor your next album? What happened to Dominic?
DF: This is a complicated question because I don't really know what happened to Dom, other than that he envisioned doing different things with his life after getting married. He never gave an explanation. He distanced himself from us. We all had a really hard time with it at first, but 20 minutes into our first tour without him we all felt free.
Brendan and I are working very closely together. I am playing guitar in his band and will be touring with him for his next record. He is also doing tours with us. However, he isn't a permanent member. We have talked about doing a record togther when we have time.
PC: What was it like working with Brendan for Let's Make Our Descent? I'm guessing it was a little different than working with Bob from Bobsled...
DF: Working with Brendan is great as we have known each other for such a long time. He wasn't afraid to challenge us and think outside the patterns we developed over the last few years. Bob got a producing credit on our first record, but he didn't have much to do with it at all. We were new to the label and didn't really stand up for ourselves early on.
I would have to say that Greg Frey (who manages WEEN) did more in terms of production on our first record than anyone else. All of our demos for the record were done with him at his studio. Bryan Hanna also contributed a lot to the sound of Low to the Ground.
PC: Do you feel more comfortable with Rainbow Quartz? Are they pretty supportive? It seems like they have a solid roster (Lilys, Cotton Mather, etc)...
DF:Rainbow Quartz has been great to us. I met Jim because he was interested in helping us through our problems with Bobsled and he wanted to re-release Shadow Of.. When we realized that it would be impossible, we decided to move forward with a new record. He put a lot of trust in us and we couldn't ask for more, especially all after all that we have been through.
PC: So what are you favorite albums of 2004?
DF: The last year has been a bit of a blur, but I really love the Ponys record.
PC: I've read a blurb online that said if Waxwings records had been presented as long-lost records from the 60's by an unknown band, that they would be praised to the sky by revivalists. Can you tell me about a long-lost band from the 60's or 70's that people should know more about?
DF: I have been listening to Amon Dual a lot lately.
PC: What's the weirdest/scariest band you've played with (opening for you or vice versa)?
DF: We have been fortunate not to have many scary moments. There was a night in Athens, Ga that was pretty memorable. It was 100 degrees at midnight and we were playing with a band that were all family members (except for the bass player who I think was their neighbor). Our two bands were the only ones in the place and I think that they literally came down from their house in the hills to play. It was a little uncomforable, but funny.
PC: So what's a typical day in Detroit like for you? Are you a Pistons fan?
DF: I work when I can and I am always writing. Detroit is great because you can afford to play music and yet still be responsible. I feel lucky to have been a part of the city during the last few years. I've seen success come to good friends and I think a lot of really great music is being made here right now. It's hard not to like the Pistons, but I have been a Red Wings fan for a long time.
PC: Okay, this is really simple. What are your likes and dislikes?
DF: I like watching Freeks and Geeks and I also like my new iPod. I don't like working in a factory.
missy:
Dean Fertita is the lead singer/songwriter of the Waxwings. Their last album came out in 2004 and is titled Let's Make Our Descent...
himes:
So interesting to read this interview, before Dean joined QOTSA and Brendan joined the Raconteurs. Music is such a wonderfully incestuous practice. And its LEGAL - for the most part.