Podsafe Cafe: Wil Deynes

You have amassed over a million plays on MySpace alone. What is the inspiration behind your album and why do you think so many people connect to it?

I think part of the reason why people connect with my music is because I keep it simple. When I was writing Stay, I never really had a plan on how the record should sound. The only thing that I wanted was to not have a bunch of songs that sounded alike. I feel that that was important in order to appeal to not just one group of people, but to many different people, on different levels.

Its funny, because you hear Super Wonderful, and people say that that’s the hit. Then other people hear Better Way, and love that song. I get that with every song on the EP. After all, music is a matter of taste, different people have different tastes. Right now I am in the process of rerecording a few songs in spanish as well, and remixing of some of my songs by some pretty good MC’s (Marketing baby)!

How did you get involved with new media? What type of success have you had using the web to promote your music?

I am a Mac guy who lives on the internet, so it seems natural for me to use it to get my music out there. No time in history can a band be international and not have to actually, physically live there. All because Al Gore created the internet (LOL), thanks Al!

As far as success, one million plays and counting on MySpace, great reviews and TV/Film placement. That’s has all been great for me. But, I can honestly say, I just played a show in NJ and when i was packing up, this little girl, about five years old, came up to me and said “wow you’re pretty good”. That made my day! That’s success! The little things make it worth it! 

Your album is available as a “pay what you want” download on your website. When/why did you start that and how has the response been (was it much different from previous releases)?

As an indie artist with no label, you have to find a way to get people to not only listen, but to buy your music. It was hard at first, because I put a lot of time and money into recording. But in the end it just made sense to have people pay what they want. Hell, you can download my music on bittorrent and limewire anyway. I figured, if you appreciate what you’re hearing, then send me some money. Support the little guy. Your donation goes directly to the artist. Either way it’s yours, you own it, no DRM. I don’t think I will ever charge a set price for my music. I think in this new age of media, you have to find alternate ways of making money off your music. Also, people are so fed up with the way the RIAA has gone about doing business, trying to sue everyone for what? So that instead of making 100 million dollars, they make 90? What’s the difference?

You’ve described yourself as a “Mac tech by day, musician by night” – how do you balance the two careers?

Not by choice, it’s really hard. i have to work in order to pay bills, record new songs etc etc, it’s like having four jobs. When I get home from work, second shift begins. I respond to friends’ emails (I refer to all fans as friends). Book rehearsals, book gigs, you name it. Oh….and I also have to practice. I love making music and I love every aspect that goes along with it.

With so many Apple users being musicians, has your tech support work led you to meet people in the music industry, or vice versa?

That’s a great question. I have met a few people. but it’s hard to try and sell yourself when you have a pissed off person on a deadline with a machine that keeps acting up. (yes Macs do have their problems). I keep it very professional at all times. If I am there to fix your machine, that’s what I am there for. I think one of the biggest things in this business is establishing relationships. And the ones that I have managed to obtain, are ones that were established when the other person inquired about my music, not me shoving it down their throat. I think what many people forget, is when you make it all about you, people tend not to care. When you make it about them people care a whole lot more.

As a current iPhone user, what’s your take on the new 3G iPhone?

I love my iPhone, but I hate the fact that Apple has so much control over a device that I have purchased, which should be mine. I understand that Apple and AT&T want to make money, but Apple voiding a warranty for unlocking/jailbreaking your iPhone is silly. Did I mention, still no replaceable battery? But hey you bet your ass I’m getting a 3G iPhone, so I can get those web pages three whole seconds faster LOL.