It seems like September was the golden month this year for record releases, and this one almost slipped through our fingers. Willowake is an indie rock band out of Los Angeles. The band, clearly inspired by many classic middle 00’s sounds, stay true to the basement indie rock sound of all your favourite underground shows. This Wasn’t What I Meant came out at the end of September and the band really hit the ground running with this release. The large scale record release show happened the day after the release, two days after that the band kicked off their international tour through the US and Australia.

This Wasn’t What I Meant features some big names on the production of the record including Jakob Armstrong (son of Billie Joe Armstrong) and Steve Ornest. I guess naturally the rawness and energy of the record really comes through in its classic production.

The album opens with the large straightforward rock tune “Eventually” where Jr Polanco (guitars, vocals) explores his timid undeceive nature. The record holds no cheap filler or fluff. As soon as the record begins you have twelve seconds of intro before the record kicks off. “Eventually” follows the classic tried and true rock tune layout of verse – pre chorus- chorus that we all know and love.

As we regularly iterate here in the Drone Shop we love and appreciate the creative use of word painting and creative imagery. Unsure if this was entirely intentional by the band or not; “Eventually” is an expression around the frustration we feel around indecisiveness. We all go through situations in life where both outcomes are equally desirable in different facets, this can surface in great mental strain. In the song when the guitar solo comes, it’s a rather simple solo idea using distorted single notes. However the band uses sporadic chopped notes at times, almost as if the guitar itself is angry it cant decide what notes or tones to pick.

This Wasn’t What I Meant leans heavily on the forefront of the vocals and the drumkit in familiar rock fashion. The instruments, and even the voice, have a kind of wash to them. A little bit of it is the reverb, the room, and the play style. This style of disgruntled indie rock lends itself very well to a “lazy” guitar style letting the notes lag into one another, really adding to the overall mood of the record. In classic fashion the band pairs Fender, Marshall, and Ampeg together. Something we are all familiar with and always sound great together. Unlike what I would expect from this style of music, this record the drums are recorded super clean and tight, Immediately becoming my favourite part of the record. It sounds like a typical rock kit, maybe along the lines of a stage custom, but they are so clean and take up all the room they need to, without infringing on other instruments. The drumming reminds me of a Josh Freese approach where the goal isn’t to be so over the top, but rather sit right where you need to, throwing in precise, interesting ear candy tricks here and there.

Classics are Classics for a reason. When the recipe is right, the end goal is bound to be great. Willowake is currently prepping for their large Halloween show, as well as gearing up for their tour through Australia and the States. The band is very active on their social media profiles and looks as much more is to come quite soon. As well, they seem to have much support from their local communities and some other big names in the industry, so the band is certainly set up for great successes to come. You best believe we will be at their show when they roll through the misty woods of the PNW.

This Wasn’t What I Meant was written and performed by Willowake

Bonus performance credit to Jakob Armstrong

Produced and Mixed by Steve Ornest

Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound