After an excellent debut album entitled Fold in the Mind, Californian singer/songwriter Rey Villalobos will be back in early April - on the 7th to be precise - with the second album of his brilliant project, House of Wolves. This gem of folk, intimist and subtly melancholy, is entitled Daughter of the Sea (stream it here) and it has everything to please fans of Elliott Smith, John Lennon & the Beatles, Neil Young, Sparklehorse or Leonard Cohen (among others). House of Wolves will tour France and Europe in early May - all dates here -, a great occasion to discover the American trio live, and ask a few questions to Rey Villalobos in order to try and learn more about him. Interview :





Can you tell us the story of the band House Of Wolves, how it started etc ?
i had been playing in bands for years and had saved up a bunch of mellow songs that I always wanted to record that were too quiet for the rock bands I was playing in, then one day when I was no longer in a band I decided to record them and start playing solo. At first I was playing shows under my name and sometimes just under my last name Villalobos... My dad has always called me by "House of Wolves" which is the translation of our last name, that's how I got the name.

Is it a project involving just you or are you recording with other musicians ?
It's a solo project, but sometimes I'll hook up with friends to record with like I did with my first album Fold in the Wind, but for Daughter of the Sea I recorded the album completely solo... and for my live shows this year I'm planning on adding mellotrons and a drummer to create what's on the album live.
 
What was your state of mind when you wrote and record the album "Daugher Of The Sea  " ?  
When I wrote these songs, with the exception of Rain and Daughter of the Sea, I was feeling pretty melancholic... and when I actually recorded the songs I was physically super jet-lagged flying over to Ireland from LA, but mentally I was feeling good, it was great to be in Ireland to record, + I love recording... it's probably my most favorite part of the music process so its hard to feel anything but happy while recording.

How did the recording in Ireland go ? Why did you choose to go there ?
The recording went great, it was spontaneous and very relaxed, that helped with creating a vibe that I think fit the songs perfectly, also it was kind of raining out and misty, then the sun would come out, we captured all of this on the album using all the ambient external sounds from around us, birds, rain etc... I chose Ireland because that's where Darragh Nolan's studio is based, I thought his creativity would be perfect for these songs.

During the recording of this album, were you influenced by any books, films, records...?
Not directly but every night after working in the studio i was watching "American Horror Story" to fall asleep too, it was pretty freaky, maybe that's what kept me up...





What do you think would be the best place, time and state of mind to listen to and understand "Daughter Of The Sea  " ? 
in a quiet state of mind... at nighttime, on a long drive, with headphones, or on a walk.

If it's possible, Could you tell us what the song "Daughter Of the Sea" (which is a masterpiece) is about ? 
Thank you, so honored you like it. It's about a boy who loves and misses his girl, she's from the sea and they are separated...he's remembering her in his dreams and calling to her in a dream state to come back to him.
 
When I listen to your music I hear things that remind me of Elliott Smith, the Beatles, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young. Are these artists important to you ?
Definitely... The Beatles, especially John Lennon, and I love Elliott too... I'm not that familiar with Mr. Cohen's stuff but i totally dig his vibe

Back when you started, which bands inspired you to play music ? Lennon, Frank Black, Chopin...





You have already tour in USA and Europe, Do you have a favorite place to play ?
Too many to name but here's a few with great memories: Divan Du Monde, San Sebastian Teatro Principal, King George, Le 106, Les Impromptus, Oliver Peel Session, Wishfulmusic, Sabotage, Un Brin Folk, Off Kultur.

During your tours, did you make great artistic encounters (recently or in the past years) ?
I really enjoyed opening up for Tallest Man on Earth and Sharon Van Etten, they're both super nice and down to earth. I also met Frank Black once opening up for him in SoCal and that was rad !

Do you have dream musicians and producers you'd like to work with ? Tell us who.
It would be awesome to record with Justin Vernon at his April Base recording studio. I also like Richard Swift, and id love to collaborate with Hélène Grimaud on a song one day
 
What or who provoked your first ever musical emotion ?
Chopin, the Chopin nocturnes (listen) to be specific... I grew up studying classical piano and fell instantly in love with the Chopin nocturnes, they are heart-wrenchingly beautiful, I could listen to them over and over and over again. Learning his chords progressions for the first time would just blow me away, his chord choices and structures are so uniquely beautiful.





What is the first record you ever bought with your pocket money ?
I think it was a Willie Nelson album, he was my first ever concert, or maybe it was Loretta Lynn...
 
What is your Top 5 of the perfect song ?
(for all the songs what I love about them most is the melodies mixed with their performance, phrasing, and passion coupled with honest lyrics)

John Lennon - "Mother" listen
Arthur Alexander - "Anna (Go to Him)" listen
Patsy Cline - "Sweet Dreams" listen
The Beatles - "Mr. Moonlight" (written by Roy Lee Johnson) listen
Roy Orbison - "In Dreams" listen


Tell us about your favourite bands of the moment...
currently listening to: Perfume Genius, and a friend just turned me on to Alvvays 

Have you already started writing new songs? Is your creating process slow or quick ?
It's continuous, I've finished recording my next (3rd) album as well... I recorded 2 albums back to back in 2014, first "Daughter Of The Sea" last May with Darragh Nolan in Ireland then i flew up to Portland, Oregon August 2014 and recorded with John Askew who produced my first album "Fold in The Wind". And just last week I recorded two singles and a cover with producer Thomas Flowers in Los Angeles CA...i really hope to get all these songs out as soon as possible!
 
Do you have one last thing you want to tell us ?
I'll be playing some shows in France and Belgium this early May: Paris, Lille, Caen, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Arlon, and more www.houseofwolvesmusic.com


House Of Wolves on tour...


Links : www.facebook.com/houseofwolvesmusic, houseofwolvesmusic.com, twitter.com/HouseofWolves1, instagram.com/houseofwolvesmusic, soundcloud.com/houseofwolves, play.spotify.com/album/2xXiSjGEBqJDqR3gWGqSiD...


En Français / In french ici / here


Translation of the introducton : Charlotte Blanchard