Interview: Wild Light's Seth Pitman hits Pittsburgh with Tapes 'n Tapes

It takes some guts for a band to start the first song on its first record with “Fuck today/ fuck San Francisco/ fuck California,” but when the music is as good as Wild Light’s, the lyrics could damn Pittsburgh and I’d still listen up.

New Hampshire natives Wild Light’s debut record Adult Nights mixes plaintive vocals with jangling guitars and more solid hooks than a boxing match for a classic rock-leaning indie-pop sound. The band hits Brillobox this Sunday with blog darlings (Jesus Christ. Let’s use a less mind-numbingly overused phrase. How about ‘rock band’?) Tapes ‘n Tapes and local blues blasters Br’er Fox (Don’t ever doubt there is serious talent in this city).

I spoke to bassist Seth Pitman while he was busy working the front desk in a New Hampshire hospital (that his mom, the hospital president set him up with - recession be damned) between legs of the tour. Clearly building up some cash before hitting the second leg of the tour while staying at home and eating well-deserved home cooking.

Gravity Rides Everything: Adult Nights starts with some harsh words against California. Where’d the song “California on my Mind” come from?

Seth Pitman: Our lyricist Jordan (Alexander) wrote that song living in the Bay Area trying to start a band, and he was just frustrated. It’s nothing against California, it’s just a venting song. But it has somehow attracted people way more than ever expected.

GRE: Was there much of a scene growing up in New Hampshire?

SP: Well…no. In terms of a real music scene there was not and there is not. But there was
Well…no. In terms of a real music scene there was not and there is not. But there was a do-it-yourself scene and a few clubs that we used to play in — a bunch of basements were turned into clubs.

GRE: The band formed in 2005, but you were friends before then. How does that affect the band’s dynamic?

SP: Knowing each other as long as we have, there’s nothing that doesn’t get touched on. There’s no way for us to keep anything from each other. Having had this long history has made it a learning process in how not to invade each other’s spaces or lives. So when we make decisions, there’s baggage — it’s a complicated dynamic that has to be maneuvered to find a place where we can all work together productively.

GRE: The record sounds truly timeless. What were you listening to when recording?

SP: We have a lot of standbys. We’re always returning to the classics — Dylan, the Beatles, The Clash, Fleetwood Mac. The kind of stuff that never gets old. When you first hear it, it’s the best thing you’ve ever heard. And the most recent time you heard it you feel the same way. That’s what we aspire to.

GRE: You’ve toured with some big name bands (including Arcade Fire, The Stills and LCD Soundsystem). What would be your dream show lineup?

SP: Let’s see. The Clash circa 1980, Bob Dylan and Rolling Thunder Review circa 1976. (Pauses to think. Ponders Elvis and Johnny Cash). And Nirvana. Definitely Nirvana.

Say it with me now: "Fuck California." Here's "California on my Mind."