A Brief Interview with Fort Wilson Riot
I recently had an opportunity to have a word with Fort Wilson Riot, who incidentally, just played Cincinnati. I was unable to attend the gig but I’m appreciative of their time in answering my questions.
Who are your musical influences?
Jacob – The entire world of the late 60′s. Particularly British invasion stuff though recently I’ve been listening to the new Beach Boys SMiLE sessions non stop. For newer stuff I’ve been pretty obsessed with the new Girls album and in general I love the new vocal heavy bands that have been coming out like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. But then there’s also all the great electronic based stuff from James Blake to Fever Ray and M83. It’s really a great time for music right now.
Amy – I second that and would also like to add some ladies…Lykke Li, Beach House, Robyn, The Knife, and Tune-Yards. It is a wonderful time for music.
How do you describe your music to people?
We really love so many different types of music so we try to incorporate bits of everything we love. You’ve got the dark electro-pop elements, the garage rock guitar elements, and the emphasis on vocal harmonies.
What image do you think your music conveys?
It is in the eye of the beholder. 
What led you to make your first album and how did your ‘sound’ take hold?
Well our first release was defined by the original four members of the band and ever since we’ve become a two piece, the band has really taken on a whole new identity. As far as what we’re doing now, our sound has really developed from us exploring how to create a new sound incorporating drum machines and synthesizers while keeping the sound fully developed the way we like it.
What are your songs about?
The new EP, in particular, addresses communication in the digital age, how technology plays a role in the development of relationships, and how we share and consume information. With all that in mind, we try to approach these themes from a personal place without talking too specifically about the actual technology involved.
What’s the story behind your current album?
The songs on the new EP were developed over the past year and a half while really diving into the touring life. All of this touring really inspired the themes of communication spoken of earlier. We have been on the road for the better part of a year and maintaining new and old relationships largely through the internet. It becomes very easy to lose touch with friends as well as yourself with that kind of fractured method of communication.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Brian Eno! As well as all the bands that we listed in musical influences!!!
What is the most gratifying feedback that you get from listeners of your music?
That it’s virtually impossible to box our music into a single category.
Would you like to experiment with different musical genres in the future?
We will always be trying to experiment with as many different genres as possible.
Typically, what is the recording process like? How many tracks do you record?
Our recording process is ever evolving since the slim down to the two of us. The songs on the new EP had been well developed by the time we started recording them. Now we are in a place that we can go into the studio without having worked out our new songs completely before hand and we can let them develop in the studio before we start playing them live. It’s a very good feeling right now when recording because it really feels like we can do anything we want with these new songs.
Any crazy stories from the road?
Screaming a drunken cover of Don’t Let Me Down from a rooftop in Brooklyn on 4th of July weekend with two dear friend-bands, Gypsy Death & You, and Green Paper.
Check out Fort Wilson Riot performing “Love Song for Mabee Burlingham (Pieces of the War Pt. 1)” below.
