The Gritty Birds Podcast: Wimps with Kyle Craft

Vortex Music Magazine

Go behind the scenes of the music industry and get gritty with these Northwest rockers, then tune in to XRAY.fm every Thursday from 1 to 1:30pm for new episodes.

Wimps at the Treefort Music Fest in March: Photo by Ingrid RenanWimps at the Treefort Music Fest in March: Photo by Ingrid RenanThe DIY ethic of garage rock and punk has always been apparent, and no more so than with the comically self-deprecating Wimps.

“We’ve been playing music together for a long time” says Rachel Ratner of her bandmates Dave Ramm and Matt Nyce.

With each member having been in multiple bands, they met after playing shows together, and during a break between projects they said, “Remember when we played music together? That was fun! Let's do it again.”

Not innocent to the gentrification and rising costs of city living across the US, the band eventually settled in Columbia in South Seattle, where they've found their favorite practice space and swear by their favorite all-night diner, Randy’s.

Meeting up with the threesome just after they arrived in Boise for the Treefort Music Fest in March, the band settled into an easy conversation of their favorite house venues on tour. Their latest album, Suitcase, mirrors their relaxed style, with energetic punk bangers that show off their self-effacing sense of humor. The record was released late last year on Kill Rock Stars while the band looks forward to playing Sasquatch later this month.

“We’ve been fortunate,” Ratner says.

Kyle Craft at the Treefort Music Fest in March: Photo by Ingrid RenanKyle Craft at the Treefort Music Fest in March: Photo by Ingrid RenanPlus, check out a bonus interview with Kyle Craft, who released his critically acclaimed solo debut, Dolls of Highland, via Sub Pop this past April.

Get gritty listening to the whole interview below and then tune in to XRAY.fm every Thursday from 1 to 1:30pm for new episodes of The Gritty Birds Podcast, plus find extended cuts on iTunes.

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