Taxes' Back of the Car Collection has an epic, worldly composed sound with hints of beat and synth reminiscent of a song from an 80's soundtrack. When I stumbled upon the project several months back I was pretty taken aback-- for the overall composition and sound was unlike anything I had ever head before.
Australia born and bred composer Flynn Wheeler is the sole force behind Taxes, and officially released his EP back in October this year. I had a chance earlier this month to ask him about life, love, and his music- read more below!
Australia born and bred composer Flynn Wheeler is the sole force behind Taxes, and officially released his EP back in October this year. I had a chance earlier this month to ask him about life, love, and his music- read more below!
MF
What instruments do you play?
Flynn Wheeler
I started on the piano, then moved onto clarinet and saxophone for about 10
years, but my main instrument is guitar.
MF
Your earliest memory with a musical instrument?
FW
Chipping the piano key with my tooth when I was about 3. Turns out mum was
right about running in the house.
MF
How has your upbringing and where you have grown up impacted your music?
FW
My two oldest brothers played the clarinet and the saxophone respectively,
and I kind of just wanted to do everything they did so I got into them as well.
Also my Dad was a drummer and singer in a band which meant there were always
instruments and stuff lying around to play with.
I grew up in Canberra, which is a fairly small city designed for public
servants – there isn’t much to do there except play music or smoke pot. Music
was the free option.
MF
Can you talk a little about your songwriting process?
Do you write the lyrics before or after you write the music?
FW
It really depends. I will always write the music before the vocals, but a
lot of the lyrics are adapted from some stuff I’ve written down at some other
time when I’ve been trying to sort my head out.
MF
What sorts of things do you draw inspiration from in your work?
FW
Musically I generally hear a song and want to write something that makes
other people feel the way I felt listening to that. Not quite plagiarism, but
certainly inspiration. Lyrically it is always personal experiences. I like to
try and write so that the meaning is crystal clear but the subject is
indecipherable. It is the only way I feel I can be truly honest, and that is all
I ever want in lyrics.
MF
How did the "Back of the Car Collection" come to be? What would
you say is the driving inspiration behind it?
FW
I have played in bands for a long time, and being a collaboration there has
always been a compromise when it comes to authorship. These were the first
songs I really allowed myself complete authorship to. I wanted to write the
songs that I have always wanted to listen to but hadn’t heard yet. I went back
to the music that destroyed me and made me feel. I have a playlist of those
tracks, it’s about as hard to get onto that playlist as the moon.
MF
Three albums that impacted your life:
FW
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
Blink 182 – Dude Ranch
The Strokes – Is This It
MF
Eight songs you couldn't live without?
FW
Too hard, I’m going to change it to 8 of my favourite rock/pop songs…
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Say It Aint So – Weezer
Vapour Trail – Ride
Vapour Trail – Ride
To Here Knows When – My Bloody Valentine
The Modern Age – The Stokes
King Of The Rodeo – Kings Of Leon
D’yer Mak’er – Led Zeppelin
Marquee Moon - Television
MF
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
FW
The person I would love the most
The person I would love the most
MF
Film you could watch over and over again:
FW
I’m embarrassingly obsessed with Jurassic park and Harry Potter. As in the DVDs
are wearing out...
MF
What do you recall to be the first song you ever wrote?
FW
A song called ‘Sporadic Feelings’ with my friend Dave for a band called
Polarmoose. It turns out he ripped all the lyrics from songs by The Ataris.
MF
Artists you admire?
FW
Cormack McCarthy.
MF
The most important thing about music is:
FW
Truth
MF
Your last "oh my god"
moment
FW
When I realized I owned a cat
MF
Every day I:
FW
Struggle
MF
What do you wish to accomplish with
your music?
FW
Truth
MF
If you weren't a musician you'd be a/an…
FW
…paranormal investigator.
MF
Your most recent memorable dream:
FW
Partying for two days straight
MF
The most difficult lesson you have
had to learn?
FW
Don’t put yourself in a situation where you have to lie or keep secrets.
MF
A piece of advice you have for artists:
FW
Create what is simultaneously good for you and your audience.
MF
Does music tell a story?
FW
When Springsteen sings it does.
MF
Do you plan to tour?
FW
At the moment it is just me, I need to put together a
band, but yes touring is absolutely on the cards. I am planning on doing a
small tour around Germany in February 2014.
MF
Hidden talent:
FW
I can solve a Rubik’s Cube
MF
Favorite lyrics:
FW
L.A. Woman
MF
Where and when do you look for inspiration?
FW
Where – great art from great people. When – Whenever I need it/always.
MF
What do you think is the most important thing about songwriting?
FW
At the risk of sounding like an echo of myself, truth.
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