Albert Wolski Interview | EXEK
Strap yourself into a life vest and enjoy some Barbra Streisand and Coldplay
Albert from EXEK is back on Tempo to talk to Noah all about how a DM turned into signing to DFA Records along with some insightful details around the new album Prove The Mountains Move before it’s launched at the Curtain.
Hello Albert, welcome back to Tempo. Last time we spoke was not long before you played at Blue Evening at The Tote in late Jan last year. Back then I asked if you had a special connection to the venue, and you answered by saying that you believed there is a room underneath the building that is full of leeches and if they escaped then that would be your special connection. I have been hanging to know what happened with the leeches!???
That’s what I’d like to know. I was equipped with my head torch, harness and inflatable life vest (which I took from a recent Jetstar flight, so apologies if yours is missing when your plane ditches into the Pacific). I remember vividly it was 40 degrees that day. With a gentle southwesterly. Perfect for finding leeches at the tote. I searched high and low thru all the dark wet hallways and dead-end rooms but couldn’t see any leeches anywhere. All I found was a few Cosmic Psychos fans who got lost on the way out after the last time they played.
There has been some pretty big news from your camp in the singing to DFA Records for album seven. I love the story from their socials about your message to them saying, “Hey there. Long shot. We recently finished out new LP. Wondering if you’d wanna check it out and consider releasing it. No prob if not”. It’s a real feel-good story and I am stoked for you. I am wondering what it means to you to have them release your next record.
I asked the label how they felt about revealing that fascinating tidbit - how a signing could happen as a result of an Instagram message.
I asked if they were bracing for a harsh North American winter with an inbox increasingly bloated with unhinged pitches, and suggested printing them all on paper to use as kindling for the fireplace.
I also suggested an automated response saying yes of course we’d love to hear it, please send it to noreply@dfarecords.com
It is mentioned in the presser in your words that your new album is, “a bit more epic” and “experimental in its craft”. Can you share how you have managed to make your recordings “more epic”, and can you further explain the creative choice of being more, “experimental” if that’s easy to explain?
Having now entered my 40’s,
I no longer have the patience for overindulgent or overly demanding music. I now listen to Barbra Streisand and Coldplay. And now by proxy, EXEK fans do to.
That’s my own personal experiment. To see if anyone can spot the ‘clocks’ riff submerged throughout the new album.
I know you have done plenty of touring already in your nearly 12 years as a band, but I am wondering if you think this new collab with DFA will create more opportunities for you with touring and accessibility to a wider audience?
One would really hope so. Otherwise, What’s the point in messaging anyone on Instagram.
Speaking of gigs, you have a big launch party for Prove The Mountains Move at The Curtain with Season 2, Techno 666 and DJ Bridget Small on Sat March 14. I feel like the Curtain just might be your spiritual home or at least one of them, or is it perhaps another great venue choice because they also keep leeches in a room somewhere? and can you tell us about the supports and connection to them? I have not heard of Techno 666.
If anyone can find leeches, it would have to be Moisty from Techno 666. But it must be noted his real talent is finding used bongs in abandoned shacks in regional Victoria.
Finally, who are your favourite local Melbourne bands at the moment and who would you like to see interviewed for Tempo?
Please interview S2 and T6 about their upcoming show together at the Curtin in March.
Tickets: EXEK - ‘PROVE THE MOUNTAINS MOVE’ ALBUM LAUNCH
