WIM

Formed in 2007 WIM is a band that emerged on the scene out of relative obscurity. WIM’s debut, self-titled record has been a creative meeting of minds. BBM’s Amy Bloemendaal caught up with WIM’s Simon Jankelson for a chat.

Martin lived in Paris, was that a big inspiration for the collaboration and start of WIM?

Martin always loved music, but in Paris he wrote a few songs that were really outstanding. I was writing music in Sydney and I heard about what Martin was doing. We actually didn’t know each other, but thankfully a good friend of mine brought me and Martin together. So when he got back we start to talk about collaboration, because we loved each other’s stuff.

Where do you guys get your inspiration from? From life experiences?

I would say life experience more than listening to current music and just copying that. As a band we are really grounded in classic music like Simon & Garfunkel or Pink Floyd, that inspires us. It also depends on the song, because my song writing is based directly on my own life experiences but Martin uses a lot of imagery and isn’t as narrative as I am.

Your music isn’t specifically in one genre, what would you call the genre you’re in?

It’s hard to define. People describe it as ‘Dream Pop’ or ‘Glam/Folk’, but I really wouldn’t know how to define it (laughs). On the album we have ten incurably different songs, each one of them could be defined in their own genre. Because Martin and I both wrote songs there is a big variation in different styles, but the specific WIM sound is definitely emerging.

You’ve been in the fast lane since the moment the band was formed in 2007, have there been moments you wanted to stop and get back to your normal life?

I think for all of us it’s been a little bit scary, for me more so than the others. The idea of putting aside my whole life for music and waking up every day and thinking; ‘is this going to work?’ It’s like living life on the edge.

You’ve been playing in all sorts of venues and underground events, is there a specific show that you remember as being very special?

Definitely! Last Saturday night (14th May) we played in Brisbane at Hi-Fi Bar and for me that was the highlight of this tour. The sound was great, backstage we were singing songs together that we love, the crowd was attentive and during the show I had this moment that felt like I could take on the howl world, because I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing and I think that feeling was in all the band members that night.

Where would you like to see WIM in 5 years?

Playing in Wembley Station with the same happiness that we felt playing in Brisbane!