We Are The Willows Navigate Belonging

Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Miller from Twin-cities based band We Are The Willows whose fourth LP "Inside Voice" explores belonging.

Mustard has observed that humans are introduced to the concept of belonging from a very young age. Small humans (sometimes described as toddlers) are very possessive of items they have declared theirs. As Toddlers develop they learn about sharing. Sharing is scary at first. That item, whatever it may be, is theirs. The notion that anyone else can have or use it as well is inconceivable in the mind of a small human. Belonging though is exclusive to small humans such as toddlers. Those toddlers grow into large humans (adults) and the definition of belonging expands. Belonging becomes less black and white and begins to show shades of grey.

Twin-cities based band We Are The Willows explore this concept on their fourth LP IV. During the process of putting this album together the band discovered that IV is shorthand for inside voice. Mustard has learned that sometimes humans have to use their inside voice. Using an inside voice will help prevent any potential troubling situations such as; waking up a newborn, studying for an important test, and exisiting inside a library. Peter Miller (singer-songwriter) describes both the band and their newest LP as their inside voice.

In our interview below you will get an opportunity to learn more about We Are The Willows. Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Miller, singer-songwriter, of We Are The Willows. Together we discuss the capability of willows, art pop, and so much more!

---

1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have We Are The Willows join them at Music Shelf. How is everyone doing today?

Hi Mustard.  Here in Minneapolis the sun still thinks it's summer and the air thinks it's fall.  My child is napping. Life is good.

2. Willows are capable of doing amazing things. It seems many humans have different interpretations of the Willow. What interpretation of the Willow inspired your band name?

Willows have extensive root systems.  They rarely get knocked over in a storm.  For me, family, friendship and community are those roots.  

3. Willow trees are able to thrive in cool and most conditions. Does We Are The Willows also thrive in these conditions? 

Yes.  I am a sweaty person.  Keep it cool.

4. Mustard wonders: what key elements are required to create a We Are The Willows song? Could you share more about your creative process?

Lately, improvisation is a key element to making a WATW song.  Time is extremely limited.  When the 5 of us are able to be in a room working on something new, improvising has proven to be the most fun, fulfilling, and productive tool in our creative tool belt.  

5. Who (or what) influences We Are The Willows?

Time, money, & the endlessly confusing nature of reality.

6. Mustard has observed that We Are The Willows makes art-pop. If We Are The Willows could have their music played in any art museum in the world, which would it be and why?

The Walker Art Center because I love it.  Or the Tate Modern because my wife and I would like to go back there someday.

7. What style of art pairs well with music by We Are The Willows?

Drawings by children, native flower gardens, & anything our bassist, Travis Collins paints.

8. Mustard tries to learn more about humans with each artist they speak with. They love what inspired Picture (Portrait) Parts 1%2. Could you share more about how you discovered the letters and how they inspired the album? How did it feel to honor your (Peter) grandparents in this way?

My Grandma saved over 350 letters that my Grandpa wrote to her while he was stationed overseas during WWII.  She gave me these letters as a gift after my college graduation.  I read them while on tour between 2009 & 2011.  

Making this album for my Grandparents is one of the most important things I've done.  My Grandma said I captured what it felt like.  That's the best review I've ever gotten.

9. Would say that humans often battle between their real self and imagined self? How did this concept inspire The Worlds I Make?

I've been tortured by some imagined version of myself for far too long.  When you continue to measure yourself against an idealized version of yourself, you'll always come up short.  I wrote this song with the hope that I can live not in imagined worlds but this one right here.

10. Now that We Are The Willows are older, what are some things you have learned as a band about each other and life in general?

Autonomy, care, honesty, respect,  and an open spirit are pivotal to building long lasting relationships (creative or otherwise).  

11. Mustard would like to congratulate you on your newest album IV. Could you share more about what it was like to put this album together?

Thank you!  It was both tumultuous and joyous to make this album.  The album was originally the work of a side project that Hilary James (cellist in WATW) and I had called, INSIDE VOICE.  We began recording in 2019.  Two tours, a mental health crisis and 4 years later, we re-oriented our goals and made this a We Are The Willows album.  Hilary and I split production duties.  She made creative decisions and I made administrative decisions.  We hired the rest of our WATW bandmates to help us.  Jer (guitar & keys) and T (bass) performed on the record.  Josh (drums) mixed it.

I am incredibly proud of this music and of our teamwork.  

12. One of the questions you (Peter) ask yourself about IV is: where does it exist? Have you been able to figure out an answer to that question?

I mean, it's in my heart and mind.  But there's something mysterious about this album.  It's a kind of wilderness.

13. Mustard loves listening to albums from start to end. Could you tell us more about the album's structure?

The song order is the same order Hilary and I would play these songs live.  It felt the best in a room.  I think it feels best on an album but I'm not sure why.

14. What are some signs that a human has become complacent? Are humans able to get out of complacency?

Well, I see murdered children in Palestine on my phone everyday and I go on with my life.  The systems of our world are brutal and we have all of it at our fingertips alongside people in their underwear, 10% off on sandals, & ads about the new we are the willows record.  It's absurd.  

Yes.  For me, it's been one act at a time.  Usually an act in the real world with someone in my community.

15. We Are The Willows are tasked to put together a Fitness Parade. What would this parade look like? Will it have its proper permits?

"Fitness" in this song is fitness in a Darwinian sense.  

I'd have a Fitness Parade but it would be in the sense of exercise & movement.  It would take place in Powderhorn Park in South Minneapolis.  It would involve skateboarding, dancing, pull ups, napping, swinging, baby feeding and it absolutely would not have its proper permits.

16. IV also stands for Inside Voice. Would We Are The Willows say they have an inside voice? How does songwriting help enunciate your thoughts?

Yes.  Hilary and I are WATW's inside voice.  

Songwriting helps me make sense of the world.  It's a language of feeling.

17. A human invites their friend to see We Are The Willows. What five words best describe your live shows? Does the band have a pre or post show routine?

Super, Duper, really, fucking, good.

pre-show: tips and nips
post show: bon fire

18. What is on the horizon for We Are The Willows?

We've tracked the majority of our 5th record, Quilt.  We're now coloring in the lines with high school students in MN.  We tracked some pre-conservatory music students already and it's been SO COOL.  

19. Where can readers listen to your music?

All the online places.  I'd love it if readers purchased our music from Bandcamp.  

---

Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 39 states and 34 countries. Check out previous interviews here.

Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in May 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.