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J.W. Farrell is coming through The Fire this Saturday, December 1st. Check out our interview with him down below and find out how he creates his music, why he loves performing live and who is on the musical playlist that describes his life.

Q: Growing up in Bucks County, were you pretty familiar with the Philadelphia music scene? Who do you remember going to see play live at venues in the city?  

A: When I was around 11 years old my Dad took me and my brothers down to see Bruce Springsteen at the Linc. Even as a little kid I remember being absolutely floored. For a few years after that he brought me to see bigger shows like that such as Bob Dylan, U2 and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. But besides that we were pretty isolated out in the 'burbs so I didn't really come down to see shows in the city until high school and college.  

Q: Was music always something you knew you would pursue when you grew up? How did you first get into music?

A: I think I'm still figuring out what I want to be when I grow up.   I always loved music but never thought it was something I would seriously pursue. It seemed like such an unattainable goal. Even watching friends play I was just always very impressed, so thinking of doing it myself never really occurred to me.  I started playing guitar in high school and played in a couple of bands with friends but it was just for fun.  It wasn't until I met up with the guys and gal in La La Lush during college that it became a serious pursuit.

Q: During your time with La La Lush, what skills or abilities do you think you gained that really helped you when you transitioned to your solo music?

A: They were an incredible group of musicians, so I think just being around them taught me a lot about how many different ways there are to approach a song. You can express all sorts of ideas and feelings with more than just lyrics and chords.

Q: What was the process like of recording your first EP "Alexandria"? How did you approach creating and choosing the 4 tracks on the record?  

A: When La La Lush broke up I was eager to get something out as quickly as possible. I had been writing songs for a long time but never had recorded any of them on my own and still wasn't entirely sure what I was doing.  I think I was just trying to prove that I could do it.  So everything was recorded on my laptop in my then girlfriend's (now fiancee's) apartment in Alexandria, Virginia.  It was really a learning experience.

Q: When you write your songs, do you generally listen to other music for inspiration or start playing around with your instruments and working from there?

A: It's a song by song type of thing. Usually I'll think of a phrase or rhyme that sticks in my head and try to form a some lyrics and chords that. Other times it will come from fooling around on my guitar and something just clicking.  Overall I think everything I do writing wise is inspired from whatever I'm listening to at the time either consciously or subconsciously.   

Q: What is the best part about performing for a live audience?

A: There's a beauty in spontaneity. Sometimes a song will just take on a life of its own in the moment that you can't recapture. I think that's why I enjoy performing more than recording.  

Q: From all the years that you've been involved with music, either as a kid, in a band or during your solo career, what has been your favorite music-related memory?  

A: That's a tough one.  Each show I've played has been special for one reason or another (not always good haha)  But I'd have to say seeing The Tallest Man on Earth at Union Transfer was a life changing experience.  His raw talent just had me and the rest of the audience completely captivated. You could hear a pin drop.   I had never experienced something like that before.  

Q: If you had to make a 5 song playlist that describes your life or the music you love the most, what tracks would be on that playlist?

A: Everything I Do Gohn Be Funky- Lee Dorsey, Incident on 57th Street- Bruce Springsteen,  Ashamed- Deer Tick, Fairytale of New York- The Pogues ft Kirsty MacColl, I've Been Loving You Too Long- Otis Redding

You can check out J.W. Farrell at his website, Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud and Instagram!

He is joined by James Daniel & the Thursday Night Band, Rare Spirits and Tygersounds THIS SATURDAY!!

Stay up-to-date on all The Fire news and events here: https://www.firephilly.com

Dune Puma will be playing at The Fire tonight at 7:30pm, along with some other great bands. We got to talk with some of the members of Dune Puma and learn about their musical influences, how they all met and why they are thankful for Craigslist. Check it out down below!

Q: How did you all come together to form Dune Puma?

A: Fish (bass), Nate (guitar), and I (Luke, drummer) have been in various bands together over the past 15 years or so. After our last band split, Fish and I kept jamming, wrote a bunch of songs and decided to find some other members. It made perfect sense to ask Nate if he wanted to join, and luckily he did. After having a couple different guitarists leave for various reasons, Jamie, who Nate and I worked with, joined. Our former singer moved to New York and, ironically, Evan moved from New York to Philly and was desperate to get into the scene, so he was the perfect final piece.

Q: Was music something you have always wanted to do or has you found a love for it over the last however many years?

A: Music has always been a huge part of all of our lives. None of us took lessons when we got started, we all just decided it was something that interested us, picked up instruments, and went for it.

Q: What has been your favorite venue to play?

A: I think we'd all be in agreement in saying that the Grape Room in Manayunk is up there. It's smaller so it fills up easily, the staff are great and easy to work with, and the sound engineer always makes us sound great. It's a great spot.

Q: When writing your own music, do you typically draw from inspiration from band's you like? Who are some of your biggest influences?

A: We all have pretty varied influences, which is kind of a blessing and a curse when writing. That being said, I think you can hear some emo qualities in the music. We were all kind of coming of age in the early 2000s when emo was huge so it has naturally influenced our writing. You'll hear some TBS influence with some of the dual vocal parts and harmonies. Personally, my two favorite drummers growing up were Dan Trapp of Senses Fail and Aaron Stern of Matchbook Romance, so there's definitely some influence from them in my playing.

Q: What was the process like creating the three tracks under the Dune Puma Sessions on Spotify?

A: That was an interesting time. Those 3 songs were being written right at the end of the time with our former singer through the transition to Evan. I think only Life On Trial was written with our current lineup. The other two, at least musically, were written before Evan joined. He then came in and put his touch on them, and voila.

Q: Do you have any new music in the works? Maybe an EP or possibly a full album?

A: We actually just finished recording a full length with Eric at the Boom Room. Thinking an early 2019 release.

Q: What is the best part about performing for a live audience?

A: The best part of performing live is feeding off each other and the audience. When recording or practicing, it's kind of the same experience every time. Playing live is always something different which always makes it exciting. We have some of the most supportive friends and have met some other great bands through playing live, and it's great playing for them and with them.

Q: We can't wait for the show on the 24th, what can fans expect?

A: Fans should expect a fun, energetic set. People that have never seen or heard of us should expect some surprises and great involvement from our friends and other bands. It should be a great show.

Q: Do you have any fun facts or cool stories about Dune Puma that most readers wouldn’t know?

A: We actually found Evan, our singer, on Craigslist....or maybe he found us. Either way, we had a listing on there and had a few responses. One person that we had set up to come jam asked if we could learn a couple covers to showcase his vocals, so we did. When Evan showed up, we asked which of the covers he wanted to start with and he looked at each of us like we had two heads. Turned out he was not who we thought he was, but luckily for us everything worked out in the end.

Check out Dune Puma on Facebook and their website! 

They will be joined by special guests Qwirk, Moment to Capitalize and Jamie and the Guarded Heart tonight starting at 5:15pm! 

Stay up-to-date on all The Fire news and events here: https://www.firephilly.com