‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Up next is new Hip-Hop artist Will McClean, who has just released his first E.P Prelude.

Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My name is Will McClean, I’m a nineteen year old, Wellington born and raised musician. I’m currently submersed in hip hop, in particular the rap aspect of hip hop. I’ve been making music since I was around five when I learnt guitar but have only recently started refining my hip hop skills over the past year really. I just write about my experiences, thoughts and whatever comes out of my brain onto the page. There’s nothing that can’t be written about.

What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I’ve been working on a few mixtapes, EP’s and various collaborations. I’m aiming to have another project out in the Summer of 2019. But plans can always change so we’ll see what happens from now until then I suppose.

Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Most likely Instagram or Facebook, as I’m an independent artist the only form of promotion and communication is through my social media handles (which has its ups and downs, cause I’m trying to submerse myself in the real world and not my phone). My music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp and Soundcloud.

What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Home Brew – Self Titled Album. Hearing a New Zealand accent is one thing but hearing Tom Scott speak about real life problems, especially problems in New Zealand that nobody talks about, was the first inspiration for me to start writing. I can pinpoint the moment when I first heard this album as one of the main reason I’m doing what I do.

Logic – Welcome to Forever (Mixtape). Logic was always getting played in my headphones and speakers throughout my time at high school, which is really the time people start working out who they are and where they fit into this crazy world. Hearing Logic preach positivity through his music always fuelled my fire to spread as much love possible while I exist in this place, to everybody no matter what race, religion, colour, creed or sexual orientation.

The Vacuum – From the cottage. The Vacuum was the band my father was in. Although my Dad never made it big as a musician, he was a proud musician and ever since I was a kid I saw that he wasn’t doing it for any reason other than because he enjoyed it. Which inspired me to start making music, because I enjoy it and so I will continue to do so because when it boils down to it, life is short so we have to enjoy it while it lasts.

Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
H4LF CĀST
Thomas Oliver
Innocent Max
Dr.Reknaw
Simloco
Pretty much anybody who wants to have a jam and see what we end up with after.

What is your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
So far I’ve only played a couple of small gigs here and there, but I jumped up and had a jam with H4LF CĀST at St. Peters Village Hall in Paekakariki, which was heaps of fun so I’d probably say there!

In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I’ll just either hear or make an instrumental and catch the vibe, and it all just kind of flows out onto the page or notepad on my phone in ten minutes or so. Or ill be going about my day and one rhyme or line pops into my head and I write it down and then either finish the song then, or come back to it.

Where/when is your next gig?
My next gig is at Valhalla, alongside the insanely talented Cam MacLean and Simloco. The gig is on Wednesday 31st July and is the first gig I’ve organised myself so fingers crossed it goes smoothly!! Come along for a mid-winter boogie everybody x.