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Interview: Whilk & Misky have us thirsty for ‘The First Sip’ EP

Jon Berrien
Latest posts by Jon Berrien (see all)

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London based duo Charlie and Nima aka Whilk & Misky have left our hands sore. Simply put their single “Clap Your Hands” is too damn catchy. The song has been a gateway to goodness- Whilk and Misky are making moves and 2015 looks real bright. With their upcoming EP ‘The First Sip’ on the way it’s clearly time to make a toast. 

GroundSounds recently caught up with the pair for an exclusive interview on musical inspirations and more, check it out below. 

 

For those just discovering Whilk and Misky how did you two first meet up and start making music?

So, I guess it was this time two years ago Nima and I met: I’d started my first night workin another shit hole diner, getting to grips with the new job when this trio of shaggy musicians came in and sat in my section. It was Nima with his then current band. Their singer was this gorgeous blonde with lingering blue eyes that lingered a little long to be just polite. We got chatting and she invited me down to a gig they were playing the day after. 
Me being me, I arrived late, missed their set but caught them for some beers. She, it turned out, was spoken for so, sensing the wild in him all my love went Nima’s way. We tore up London and fast became good friends. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2013 when I needed to crash at his for a couple days that we suggested jammin’. Then it was instant. Boom. Let’s rock’n’fuckin’roll. 

Can you tell us about the creative and writing process for your track “Darklands?”

Darklands was something Nima slapped me round the face with. We’d just moved in together (bloody hell this is sounding more and more like a bromance) and started Whilk and Misky as something we seriously wanted to continue and I got in from work and Nima casually goes, “dude, I started this song”. I went from six to midnight so fast man, I had to sing on that! We wanted a combination of instrumentalism and good production, gradually bringing people up to a climax. The hook popped in my head doing the washing up. A regular sketch post in that ole gaff lol. We thought about having more verses to the lyrics but felt the music and mood carries the story well enough and often with repetition the hypnotism can be enhanced.

unnamed-2-350x350What do you guys enjoy most about London? What is one thing every visitor should see or do?

I think we’re both here, or came here rather, chasing the dreams that so many others have too. It’s an epicentre for life. Music, people, adventures. Some good some bad. You might fly, drown, erupt or thrive, you just got to chance it. Anything can be done but everything’s at a cost be it money or health. I’d recommend the rapidly changing East end before it changes too much. But everyone should see a sunrise from Westminster bridge, half cut, wondering how you landed in this history of blood sweat metal and brick.

We’re you guys surprised at how fast “Clap Your Hands” has taken off? Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this track?

We always knew Clap Your Hands would go down well. It was the very first jam where Nima and I realised we could make tunes. We did start with the intention and inspiration for the darker, sexier numbers, but this song kept on gripping us. It’s just about letting yours go to the feelings music nourishes. Give a fuck, move them feet, grab a pal and enjoy yourself while you can. Just Keep Smiling.

What music are you guys currently jamming out to?

Charlie; My playlists change like the wind but I been digging Jon Hopkins for the tripped out strolls round town. Grizzly Bear for the sunrise reflections. Shiba San for the parties and always always Bob Dylan for my soul. 
Nima;

The music video for “Babe I’m Yours” has a very vintage/western feel, can you tell us about the concept and theme behind the visuals?

With Babe I’m Yours, the driving melody was from my resonator so it already had that blues/western feel. It’s loosely about a kind of Man’s man coming to grips with relinquishing his power to love so this motif of cowboys, the lone wolf type characters lost on some far horizon fitted well. We been working with Lewis Lloyd who finds great archive footage then plays with the formats and framing. 

10683548_749626838411891_1876128550923392049_oWe at GroundSounds are anticipating the debut EP The First Sip, what has it been like working on this project? What has been the most rewarding/difficult challenges in bringing it all together?

To be honest it’s been easy. The tunes rolled right out since we began and the team around us has grown and strengthened and we’re all riding the same high speed train. So much of Whilk and Misky has been serendipitous so we’ve never questioned why some things have been delayed or somethings changed. It’s been a path led by some invisible shepherd so we just shut our eyes and let our feet fall where they fall. 

What made you decide on the name The First Sip?
   
Milk and Whisky. Whilk and Misky. Might turn some on, might send some running, you just got to give it a taste, have your first sip and make up your own blessed mind.

After the release of the EP what is next for Whilk and Misky? What can fans look forward to?

So we’ve racked up a fair few tracks now and are still writing the songs as they come, jamming for fun and a probable launch show come January. We’ll get Christmas and New Years celebrations out the way and then Babes, we’re yours. More releases, an album, and a spring/summer gig tour.

Just Keep Smiling 

http://www.whilkandmisky.com