Interview: Waterparks’ Awsten talks Pete Wentz and pre-show rituals

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to speak to us. First up, you’re no stranger to the Reading and Leeds’ stages – what’s your favourite memory from performing previously?

Thanks for having us back! My favourite part was looking to my right and seeing Mikey, also people actually showing up – that part ruled too.

‘Entertainment’ is filled with different genres and no 2 songs sound the same. We’re getting electronic, rock and even some hardcore vibes. Was that intentional?

Thank you for noticing! It wasn’t a conscious effort to go out of our way to ~try~ and make it that way, but we were aware of it. We just like a lot of different stuff and we make what we want to hear. Being one dimensional across a whole album is weak and I’m thankful we don’t have to make boring projects like that.

You’ve stated previously that you have hundreds of song ideas, how do you narrow them down and decide which ones to demo?

I put the present emoji next to every voice memo I think has bigger potential than the others and when I get home from tour I listen over those and choose which ones I wanna demo.

Which song are you most looking forward to performing at Reading and Leeds this year?

We haven’t picked the exact set yet but I bet we’ll do ‘Blonde’ and I like watching the crowd shit when that first verse drops.

If you could pick any song that sums up Waterparks’ journey so far what would it be and why?

‘Tantrum’ lol whoops!

What’s the weirdest thing anyone has ever thrown on stage at one of your performances?

Birth control.

You spoke previously about getting starstruck meeting Pete Wentz at Reading Festival. Fall Out Boy are headlining the Main Stage again this year. What will you say now you have time to prepare?

I try not to geek over people in person and I’m usually good, it was absolutely f**king nuts though. He called me over after a bunch of security made me leave and had those same guards give me a few passes that let me watch from side stage, lowkey that was one of the best days of my life. I’d probably just say sup and how much I love the lyrics on ‘Sunshine Riptide’.

How do you like to get pumped up before you take to the stage? Do you have any pre-show rituals?

I actually like to get pumped down, if I get too amped I’ll freak out and nerves will take control. I like to sit quietly and look at my feet.

If you had to pack a fancy dress outfit, what would you take?

I only wear fancy dress, also I’ve started tucking in my shirt so that’s p fancy.

R&L note: We think that question got lost in the English to American translation.

What’s one thing you always carry around with you at festivals and gigs?

I guess my phone because I have 0 sense of direction and never know where I am and I leave my location on for a few friends. Geoff can always just come find me if I wander too far because I do wander.

If you had a food stall at Reading and Leeds what would you call it?

‘The Dildo Store And Also Some Pizza If There’s Any Left’ – I will explain why.

1. Who wouldn’t go in a restaurant called ‘The Dildo Store’ out of curiosity? At the very least ~everyone~ would take a selfie with it for Snap and Insta and that’s free advertising in the most authentic way.
2. People at festivals want pizza, duh!
3. By adding ‘If There’s Any Left’ creates a false limit of constraint thus creating more demand for a product which I would be more than ready to supply – pushing profits through the roof! I’d make as much as Goddamn Travis Scott!

Why am I even in a band? Why do I not run marketing for a big ass company? SOMEONE PAY ME.

Who on the line up would you like to party with?

I wanna hang out with Creeper because they’re extremely fun people.

Waterparks play Leeds’ Main Stage on Saturday. Don’t become a ‘Crybaby’ get your tickets now.