Editor’s Note: Chicago pop/punk band Wilmette has released “Anxious Body” back in 2019 to some rave reviews. Rock Sound has stated the following about Wilmette: “Crushing together the buoyancy of modern-day pop/punk with the sort of gristly intensity that you more often find in hardcore”. This accurately describes Wilmette especially in their music video for “Carol From HR”. Aaron Hailey of Wilmette sat down with Madness To Creation to discuss “Carol From HR”, the Chicago music scene and mental health awareness. Fans can find Wilmette at the following locations:
Madness To Creation: Take us into the music video and song for “Carol from HR”. What was the most fun and challenging aspect behind the video and recording of the song?
Aaron: The music video was kind of a last minute thing. We have been working with Alex Zarek on all of our videos and he hit us up one day and we made it happen on short notice! The most challenging aspect of the video was probably putting our heads down and doing work. We are best friends with Zarek so it can be hard to get to work sometimes because we’re having too much fun.
Madness To Creation: The EP “Anxious Body” has received some amazing reviews: take us into the writing process of the EP and Wilmette as a whole.
Aaron: Anxious Body was written over a three month period. It was all written online and we didn’t jam these songs until after they were recorded at Always Be Genius. Our process is to normally write the songs fully online. We start riffs and write vocals to it and just continue to build and change. In the future we want to actually jam the songs before they are out but we are fully an internet band when it comes to writing at the moment.
Madness To Creation: Favorite thing about the Chicago music scene.
Aaron: The Chicago scene is very unique. It has a lot of bands and a lot of people who actually come out to shows. It’s nice to be apart of it because there are always shows, every day of the week. It is also cool having so many other bands to talk to and all the bands around here are super friendly. There is also such an extensive history of great bands that come out of Chicago so it creates more drive to do well.
Madness To Creation: Favorite sports team from Chicago:
Aaron: We are not huge into sports but definitely more of Cubs guys than White Sox!
Madness To Creation: Plans for Wilmette for 2020 and New Year’s Resolutions
Aaron: We plan to get on the map in 2020. We haven’t really played out to much and we need to change that! We’re gonna try pushing some week long tours in every direction so be on the lookout! Our new years resolution is to make bangers!
Madness To Creation: We are focused on mental health awareness, especially normalizing the conversations for mental health awareness, what advice do you have for our readers and what are some things in your daily routine that help with mental health awareness.
Aaron: Communication is absolutely everything. Never be afraid to say how you feel and find someone that you can trust and feel comfortable speaking with.
Madness To Creation: I give Wilmette plane tickets to tour in one location for one week. Where are they playing?
Aaron: Australia for sure. That place is gnarly!
Madness To Creation: What else would you like to add in regards to Wilmette?
Aaron: Be on the lookout for tours and new music in 2020!
Madness To Creation: Thank you very much for your time to interview with me for Madness To Creation.
Aaron: Thanks for having us!
And there you have it! On Friday, January 17th, Wilmette has a gig at Beat Kitchen in Chicago, Illinois. For tickets and further information on the gig, click here.
