WATERPARKS PREVIEW ~ SPOTLIGHT FEATURE + INTERVIEW
WATERPARKS PREVIEW ~ SPOTLIGHT FEATURE + INTERVIEW
Houston trio Waterparks have been bringing fresh and exciting sounds to the alternative scene since their origins back in 2011. Waterparks is pop in all of its forms: power, rock, and punk; they are always coming out with something new and breaking the mold of what they've created previously. Throughout the years, Waterparks has shown a true love and dedication to experimentation, pushing their art with everything they've got. Frontman Awsten Knight has always put his heart and soul into this band since the very beginning. He canvassed the band's music outside of shows that weren't even their own for years and built a massive social media presence that has created a fan culture that bands only dream of having. Waterparks’ first EP, Airplane Conversations, was released in 2012, with a completely different lineup than we see today. It wasn't until their 2014 EP Black Light that we heard guitarist Geoff Wigington and drummer Otto Wood bring their contributions to the table. In 2016, the band released their EP Cluster and went on to create five studio albums, with their latest being Intellectual Property in 2023.
Alt Wave got to chat with frontman Awsten Knight on the Prowler Tour, the art behind it all, and where the band's head is at as a whole in this age of art. Full interview in the digi-mag, but heres a bit of it! <3
We’re 2 weeks into the Prowler Tour, and everything’s in full swing. When you’re gearing up months in advance, aside from the setlist, what’s the most important thing you guys focus on changing up each tour?
"Personally, I need to know about tours so far in advance because I insist on being so hands-on with everything. I think early on, I got the idea of “No one will ever care about Waterparks more than I do, so I need to handle it myself.” Like, I designed all the merch for this tour with the help of Lucas, our tour manager, and was like, “This needs to be the best tour merch set ever, I need everyone who sees it to want every single piece.” Then the lighting needs to match how the songs “look” to me in my head, so we’ll have to set the color palettes. Lucas makes the videos according to those colors; it’s important to me that everything is tied together. Then I gotta workout - I got this Ukrainian beefcake dude to help me get in shape because a 90-minute show is gonna feel impossible if I’m in horrible shape. Openers, easter eggs, pre-show playlists, flyer design - I get granular real quick."
Of course, one of the coolest things about Parx Live is the stage design! What’s your favorite part about designing the stage set?
"People have opinions about us based on genres we’ve been labeled with or bands we’ve been put next to, but actually having the opportunity to curate and design your own world is so important to me. I’m a Capricorn so I’ve always been competitive and... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"
For a while, you guys have been known for how you reshape the studio tracks for the stage. Especially with how some songs have alternate endings live. What’s your process for deciding which parts to reinvent for tour?
"I think watching bands I loved growing up inspired that. I remember playing along with Bullet In A Bible (the Green Day DVD) when I was like 13 and being like, “wait…..they changed the song…..it’s longer???…but then they…go back into it??... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"
Seeing the Parx community grow has been insane! The way everyone shows up with so much heart and beautiful energy is truly special to witness. What about your fans inspires you guys the most?
"They inspire me all the time. They’re also insane. But I love them. The art they make is so good, I seriously don’t know how they do it. They’re also really funny, they’re funnier than other fanbases. I think... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"
When building the Waterparks universe, what are the north stars you guys point to? The things that keep the world you’ve created so unique?
"I love building worlds and aesthetics for each cycle, and really it starts with the music. I decide what colors feel like the songs, what imagery and what items pair well with the sonics of it all. I make... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"
To end things off, what’s the message you guys strive to give the world through your music and online presence?
"I think when I write lyrics and land on themes and all that, it’s because it’s my way of coping and expressing how I feel with myself and I don’t necessarily approach things with the intention of sending a message but I like that we’ve cultivated a place where people can feel safe in their own skin, be whoever they wanna be. And... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"
Special thanks to Awsten for chatting w/ us. All the love 5eva<3
Sammy Q w/ Alt Wave made it out to the NorVA in Norfolk, Virginia, to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the band prepares for their shows and to capture the night for those who were there to remember and for those who weren't — to be amazed.
