Clowns' new single Does It Matter is out now! We caught up with frontman Stevie Williams to chat about the release and so much more.
Image: Tim Lambert
Aussie punk-rockers Clowns recently dropped their dynamic new single, Does It Matter. We caught up with frontman Stevie Williams to chat about the release, their upcoming tour and more!
The first taste of new music since their 2019 record Nature/Nurture, the release sees the five-piece take on a new sonic direction, working with US songwriter and producer Matt Squire (Panic! At The Disco, Ariana Grande). Recorded at Melbourne’s Red Door Studios with award winning engineer Woody Annison (The Living End), Does It Matter offers pop infused melodies, with cleaner rock influences laced throughout.
Does It Matter is out now! Read our interview with Stevie Williams below.
Could you tell us a bit about your new single Does It Matter and what inspired its conceptual standpoint?
It’s a fuckin sick song about why it doesn’t matter to break the law most of the time.
You worked on the song with US songwriter & producer Matt Squire (Panic! At The Disco, Ariana Grande). What was that experience like and what do you think he brought to the track?
We worked with US producer Matt Squire (One Direction, Panic! At The Disco) on the writing of melodies and the structure of the song, something we had never done before but truly helped expand on the sound that our listeners have come to enjoy that we had seasoned over our years playing and touring. We had frequent early morning zoom meetings with Squire where we would play a guitar in front of our computer and sing along to the song, showing him how the song had developed since our last session and hearing his critiques. He helped us construct the track into the blazing ball of catchy melodies and powerful guitar licks that is today whilst late at night from his home studio in Baltimore, Maryland while riots blazed in his area. Tell me, is there anything more 2020 than that?
The track arrives with an official visual, directed by Nick Manuell. How involved are you in conceptualising your visuals?
Being real we just let Nick make 98% of the video. He’s such a great videographer and his mind is able to conceptualise the clip far greater than our entry level videography skills ever could. I am aware that some may attempt to denigrate the band's artistic integrity when finding this information out. Does this make us sell outs? To find out the answer to this question, please use the code CLOWNS119 at checkout during your next videoclip purchase at www.nickmanuell.com/video and also receive 15% off! *terms and conditions apply
How important are the visuals to you when it comes to conveying the story and meaning present on the track?
About as important as using correct grammer
What was your most memorable moment on set of Does It Matter, and what is your favourite scene from the clip?
Jarrod’s guitar solo at the end of the clip is not only a glorious moment, reminiscent of Slash’s epic guitar moment in the November Rain clip but modernised with a sleek lockdown chic, was not only notable because of its greatness but because he’s been in the band 7 years and it’s about time he’s done something cool.
You’re about to head on tour! What can audiences expect from your upcoming run shows?
At the time of doing these questions it has been 84 days since i’ve last drunk alcohol. At the prospective time of the tour I will be drinking again. All will say to our future patrons is that it is important for you to manage your expectations.
The past twelve months have taken its toll on the music industry, specifically the touring sector, but also in terms of making that in person connection with audience members and creating a shared feeling and experience. How important do you think live music is not only for yourself as a musician showcasing their art, but also for the audience members who resonate with your music?
I’m a glass half full kinda guy… but in this case I think a glass half full also implies the existence of a glass half empty glass. Ummmm just buy a ticket to the show and have a merry time :) :) :) :) :)
What lasting effects do you hope audience members walk away with after attending one of your performances?
An enlightened soul privy that nothing is permanent and all human experiences are fleeting, never-lasting and whatever ugly thoughts and feelings you have about us after the show will one day be distant memories.
You’ve toured around the country, performed at Yours & Owls (2021) in Wollongong, Riot Fest in Chicago, Deichbrand, Wacken Open Air, Groezrock and Mighty Sounds in Europe. Which show left the biggest impact on you, both professionally and personally?
We played the biggest show of our lives in 2015 in China at MIDI Festival in Shenzhen. It was so important to us because it opened our view that performing at large festivals internationally was a possibility if kept working hard in the direction we were. The importance of rehearsing before large shows was also heavily highlighted to us when we rewatched the footage taken at the show that was televised in China. Life is full of great lessons!
What can we expect for the rest of 2021? Will we be hearing an album or EP?
Expect nothing and then you’ll be happy if something comes :)
RAPID FIRE
Biggest musical influences?
Biggest influencers? The Kardashians, Travis Barker, Soytiet, Sharni Grimmond, Whatever her name is who hosts Call Her Daddy
Dream collaboration?
I would’ve loved to collaborate with Kylie Minougue and Michael Hutchence when they dated on a sort of ménage à trois kinda thang
Album that has had the most impact on you?
The time when that U2 album just appeared on my phone with no warning, spiralling me and many others into a state of anxiety.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
GABBO! GABBO! GABBO!
Best song of 2021 so far?
Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Mad Max, we’d fuckin nail it.
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Miley cos she baaaddddddd
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
First concert you went to?
I don’t go to other people's shows and I never will.
Best concert you have been to?
Alison Wonderland at The Tivoli in Brisbane Dec 2018 was THE BEST
First album you ever bought?
It is my deepest regret to let you know that this artist is now cancelled
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy? Spice Girl cos at least they had a ginger member
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
I’d straight up fill in for Ginger Spice if they needed a fill in
Guilty music pleasure?
I will NEVER find guilt in something that is pleasurable
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Probably C.O.F.F.I.N because they are supporting us on our upcoming tour and they are gonna need all the support they can get.
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
That fuckhead who ate a bat near Wuhan sometime late 2019
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Who let the dogs out?
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
I try not to think about the moment that sent me down this amazing but treacherous and life debilitating course of events.