by khittie
November 1st, 2006

I’d love to say this interview was conducted in a warm, dark pub over mugs of hot butterbeer, but unfortunately my reality isn’t half that cool. Yet I’m still pleased to report that I recently had the opportunity to sit down and ask Matt of The Whomping Willows some questions.

khittie: Why did you pick the Whomping Willow as your wizard rock persona?
Matt: I honestly don’t remember if there was any specific reason, besides the fact that I thought it would be funny.

khittie: It certainly is funny. Is there anything special you like to do to “get in character?”
Matt: Not really. In fact, I hardly ever even practice. Brad and Brian (from the Malfoys) have been backing me up at most of my shows this year, and we recently played a show without having practiced for about three months. It was our best performance yet, so I’m sticking with this strategy from now on.

khittie: I see, well, a lot of your songs are really clever, especially considering that the Whomping Willow is not a very well developed character in the books. Yet you really manage to bring him to life. Aside from the Harry Potter books, what influences your music?
Matt: Well, I’ll keep this answer specific to the Whomping Willows, since my non-wizard band is influenced by different things. With the Willows, I just try hard to be funny and make it entertaining. My two biggest influences are Brian and Brad — I was able to witness the development of Draco and the Malfoys firsthand, and their overall approach informed me as I began to develop my project. And obviously I must cite Paul and Joe DeGeorge [Harry and the Potters] as influences. Duh.

khittie: Do you sit down with the intent to write songs or do random ideas just pop into your head and demand attention?
Matt: The secret behind the development of my songs will be revealed in the Wizard Rockumentary. Sorry.

khittie: Aw, too bad. Guess we’ll all just have to wait then! So which of your songs is your favorite?
Matt: “I Killed My Owl” and “A Heart Worth Loving.”

khittie: Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?
Matt: HP and the HBP (you down with OPP, yeah you know me!)

khittie: ~giggles~ What do you think of the movies?
Matt: They’re entertaining. I know there are lots of HP purists out there who get annoyed with how the movies modify the stories and whatnot, but I think it’s impossible to squeeze a lengthy novel with upwards of 30 to 40 significant characters into a 2 to 3 hour film. I think it’s important to view the movies as a separate entity and judge them based on how well characters are portrayed and how well the plot is developed and executed. Personally, I think the first and third movies are the best in that regard.

khittie: To be completely off topic for a moment, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Matt: Chocolate.

khittie: Good choice. Now, back on track, a lot of your songs have a very… suggestive theme. Am I a pervert for thinking that? And can we expect more naughtiness on your new album?
Matt: No, you’re not a pervert. I don’t think anyone could possibly miss the intent of “Crawl Through My Treehole,” unless they’re in a coma or really stupid. The new album will be from my perspective, and the songs will be about my first year as a member of the wizard rock community. There will probably be a bit of toilet humor, but certainly nothing like what’s on the first album.

khittie: No, I really am at least a bit of a perv. ~wink~ Anyway, can you tell us more about your impending album?
Matt: It’s going to ROCK!!!!!!!!!! : )

khittie: I’m sure it will. What do you think is the most important thing for your fans to know about the band?
Matt: Hmm. I’m a nice guy? Really, I kept this band going because I was impressed with how cool most wizard rock fans are. Music is generally a depressing universe filled with vultures who sell vapid music to people who are inundated with advertisements and maybe don’t realize that there’s a whole underground world of music that’s much much better than what you hear on the radio. Wizard rock is its own little microcosm within that underground world. It’s mostly a community of young people who are learning how to make music for the first time, and the audience consists mostly of young people who are smart and funny and creative enough to appreciate something that’s homemade and a little rough around the edges. It’s wonderful. The most important thing for the fans to know is that I love them, and I try my hardest to make my music available to them cheaply. If I could afford to, I’d make it free for everyone.

khittie: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Matt: The Wizrocklopedia rules!
khittie: Aw, thank you so much! =)

Music by The Whomping Willows can be found by visiting MySpace.