INTERVIEW: Josh Sorrells and Lucy Nordlinger of Where’s Wolf

Where’s Wolf is a new and upcoming band from here in the Upstate. For a new band they are making sure to get around by playing shows with some already well known bands such as The Long Canes, The Head, I Am Carpenter, and Sound and Shape. With plans to record a new album soon they will surely become another staple in the Upstate music scene. Josh and Lucy talked to me a little about becoming musicians, nerves, and Spider-Man.

Ashley Cooke: What inspires you when playing music?

Josh Sorrells: I’ve grown up always playing music. From like, piano recitals to helping out in churches or just playing music with friends. Music has just been a big part of my life. Something that always provides an outlet for stress or anything like that. As far as starting a band, it just kind of happened. Lucy and I began playing music together our freshman year and it gradually became Where’s Wolf.

Lucy Nordlinger: I have no idea how to answer this question without sounding super lame. I just really really love playing music and that’s all I can say.

AC: What is your favorite instrument to play and what is an instrument you’d like to learn how to play?

JS: Man…That’s a hard question to answer. Honestly, I’d have to say my favorite instrument to play would be the piano. An instrument I’ve always wanted to learn how to play would be the harp, but we know I can’t afford that.

LN: I’m not very good at it, but I’ve always loved playing guitar. Also, I just got a ukulele and it’s the most fun instrument! I want to learn just about everything, but the accordion is very much at the top of my list.

AC: Lucy, I see you do other forms of art as well, tell us a little bit about that.

LN: Yes indeed. I’m a painter! It’s kind of a huge deal to me. I’ve been really passionate about art for just about as long as I can remember, and I just graduated with my B. A. in Painting. I paint realistic, figurative work, using oil paint. I also have this sweet little studio in the laundry room of my apartment. It gets pretty fume-y in there, but I like to live on the edge.

AC: Josh, when writing songs how do you go about doing it?

JS: I usually find a melody, whether I’m playing guitar or piano or just walking from class to class. Once I have that I build on it, map out the song, write lyrics, and then give it to the guys in the band and see how they feel about it.

AC: As a little kid who was your favorite band/musician?

JS: Well, growing up I listened to a lot of Merle Haggard ,Conway Twitty, John Denver, and that lot. I loved the Highwaymen. But as I grew up I went through my punk phases and all that. I guess a band that really shaped who I am today musically would be Taking Back Sunday (Tell All Your Friends and Where You Want To Be). Because who doesn’t love Taking Back Sunday?

LN: Well. One time I vaguely remember going through this phase where I really loved Kenny G. and wanted to grow up to become a professional alto sax player. It’s really embarrassing and I’m not proud of it at all.

AC: What do you do when you are not playing music?

JS: If I’m not playing music I’m either in class, hunting, fishing, watching movies, TV shows, or reading.

LN: I work a fast food job, help teach art camps with my friend for kids at the YMCA (we just started a business called Blank Canvas to teach after-school programs too), make my roommate watch sitcoms with me, paint, make up puns, and start books that I’ll never finish.

AC: How do you shake anxiety away when you getting ready to record in the studio or before playing a show?

JS: With recording, We’ve been in the studio with a really good friend of ours (Caleb Smith of Ghosts of the Kodiak), so that really helps us with nerves. There’s really no pressure. It’s basically just hanging out. When playing a show, I don’t really get too nervous. After the first song whatever feeling of anxiety there is gone and it’s just time to get weird.

LN: I always get so nervous. So I usually just keep saying, “I’m so nervous” to everyone who will listen to me, and try to keep myself busy until it’s show time.

AC: What was the first song you learned how to play?

JS: This is embarrassing, but its “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain. It was for a friend of mine to sing at a talent show.

LN: I don’t remember the legitimate first song I ever played, but I’m pretty sure the first song I learned to play on my electric guitar was “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones. (Fun fact: Jeff Ridings of The Long Canes was responsible for that, he was my guitar teacher back in the day!)

AC: Lucy, what’s its like being the only girl in a band with 4 other guys?

LN: They carry most of my equipment for me and I’m never allowed to drive. It’s not so bad.

AC: What super hero/villain do you most associate yourself with and why?

JS: Psh, Spider-man of course. He’s a bad ass.

LN: Spider-man! Mostly just because I love him so much. But also because he’s a nerd.

Come out to Gottrocks Saturday night to check out Where’s Wolf, along with The Long Canes and The Head. It’s five dollars at the door and the show starts at 9:00 pm.