Artist of the Year: Waterparks
Words & Interview by Ally Fisher
Photos by Rachael Dowd
Waterparks–they’re a three-piece, Wikipedia-classified pop-punk band from Houston, Texas. But to the guys that have racked up an impressive almost 24,000 followers on Twitter, they are simply just Waterparks, no classifications or genre labels exist within their realm of fun, anthemic choruses and power chords. We were able to catch up with the rule-bending, scene-morphing trio to discuss their new album, Double Dare, impending rise to success and Home Alone-ing their friends. Check out our Q&A with the band below!
First and foremost, congratulations on the debut album! How good does it feel to finally have it out?
Thank you! It’s a huge relief. For me, it feels like I’ve had to pee for about a year, and on November 4th, I finally got to do that. Also I’m happy because people like it and get to see more of what we like to do stylistically.
The album has created a buzz that it breaks the “pop-punk” umbrella of all it’s sub-genres as it doesn’t really fit into one category. It has elements of older 2008 pop-punk taking hints from Hellogoodbye, Cobra Starship and even Breathe Electric (“Take Her to the Moon”) but also contains heavier beats notably on “Little Violence” and is truly pop (and extremely reminiscent of Betty Who) on “Stupid For You.” What was the inspiration/meaning to have all of these different genres coexist on one album?
We like everything. That’s the bottom line. And I think, at this point in music, limiting yourself and saying, “We are a pop-punk band; we are allowed to use these three instruments and play these four beats,” is a really sad constraint to put on yourself. It’s 2016. I like to think people are more open-minded than they used to be and are able to cope with hearing a sparkly-pop love song and then hitting some super aggro punk vibes and then dying inside over an acoustic track. Plus, I get bored listening to a full album of the same thing so why would I put that chore on someone else? What is the point of making another pop-punk album when you’re not gonna do better than Blink-182 or Good Charlotte? THEY ALREADY MADE THE HITS.
I personally love the co-mingling of the genres. Every song gives off its own extremely distinct sound, adding a fresh perspective to the scene. Do you feel like this has really helped establish your fanbase and gain attention? Especially now with a full 13-track album for fans to gorge on?
Yes and no. While some people are hyped on the mix of sounds, there are some people that just don’t get it, which I expected a little bit. I’ve seen a few reviews that go into it expecting us to do just one thing and are like, “THIS IS THE WORST POP PUNK ALBUM,” and it’s like, “No shit, you egg, because it’s not a pop punk album.” It was a conscious decision to make this album and hit all the genres we’re capable of playing with and make sure it came off as versatile as opposed to scattered or unfocused because the vision was 200% there.
What has the fan reaction been like for the album? I know a lot of people were ecstatic over Cluster. Has it lived up to expectations so to speak?
Cluster had a good reaction but nothing like Double Dare. People lost their fucking cool, and I’m so glad because it’s the exact album we wanted to make. [The fan reaction] shows us we can do whatever we want genre-wise, and people stick with us on it because good songs are good songs. It’s just really encouraging when it comes to writing because in the back of my head I’m excited for all the even crazier, more unexpected points we’re going to hit in the future, and I’m glad people are open to stuff like that.
You all worked with long-time influences (and now managers) Benji and Joel Madden on your EP, Cluster. How has that experience helped with the creation of Double Dare?
We loved the process of making Cluster, and we didn’t trust anyone to help capture our first ever album more than them and Courtney Ballard. It means the world that they trust us and our vision because not all producers are like that.
Did the Madden brothers give you any advice that you really took to heart while creating this album?
They give the best advice all around, even outside of the band and music-related subjects. Not to be weird or whatever, but I’d seriously be a mess in real life if I didn’t have those dudes helping me navigate the last year.
I can’t say enough positive things about Double Dare. It’s just so incredibly intuitive and fresh and now that you’ve toured on it as an opener on Sleeping With Sirens’ End the Madness! tour. How has the live feedback been?
Thank you!!! That’s sick. The live feedback has been so good! After every set, I run over to merch to meet people, and my favorite thing to hear is, “I had never heard of your band but that was so amazing. I can’t wait to see you guys again,” because that means we did our job. It’s hard to immerse yourself in a live set when you don’t know the music so if people not only dig it but feel compelled to come tell us that and buy the album, it’s a really cool thing. Also, we’re not allowed to tell people to crowd surf anymore because it gets hectic, but hey, if you’re coming to a show, crowd surf.
Here at Highlight, we like to focus on positivity so what would you guys say has been the ‘highlight’ of your career so far?
Probably getting texts/calls from people in my favorite bands I’ve looked up to for a long time telling me they love the album that was written in my bedroom.
What would you say has been the most difficult part of your career for you all personally and collectively?
Losing routine. I’m all about stability and having a schedule, and tour makes it hard because you don’t sleep much and it’s harder to take care of yourself. Also missing people, but that’s the cliché band guy answer.
How did you, or do you continue to, overcome these struggles?
I don’t. *cool guy sunglasses* I JUST PLAN ON BURYING IT ALL DEEP INSIDE ME UNTIL I CRACK AND HAVE A VERY PUBLIC MELTDOWN.
What is the one dream, the moment at which point either personally or collectively, you would be able to say yes I’ve achieved this, I’m living my dreams?
When I get to the point where I can afford to buy a house and a lot of marbles/paint cans and Home Alone any of my dick friends that try to spend time with me.
