Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Nick Woolford (bassist/backing vocals) of Have Mercy to discuss the band’s latest full length record called Numb, that releases today via Rude Records. In this interview, I asked Nick about the band’s process for crafting the songs on this LP, the chemistry with their new drummer, how Taylor Swift’s Midnights led the band to some creative discoveries, and their favorite bands/venues in the Maryland area. Numb is available today here.
Thank you so much for connecting with me today, Nick. Can you tell me about what went into the writing and recording process of your new record called Numb?
It was very laid back, compared to everything we’ve ever done. We didn’t have a label or anything, it was just kind of us. Just hanging out in the basement and writing. Kind of how it was 15 years ago. So, there was no pressure. It just came really naturally. We just took our time on it. And we did all the recording ourselves as well.
What was the writing process like for those songs? Were there certain sections of songs you struggled with?
For sure. I mean, there were definitely some songs that just came out in a couple of hours. And just was like, “Okay, we know exactly what’s going on.” There’s some songs that we changed, probably five times or so. I mean, because we didn’t have a drummer either, really, at that time. So we were all just kind of jumping drum parts into the computer. We really had to focus on how, if we had a real drummer, how this sounds, so it makes things a little difficult. But once we got the drummer situation figured out, everything really came in, and it all panned out really well.
So who is your current drummer? And how’s that band chemistry going?
It’s good. It’s Steve Wooten, who was in a bunch of Victory Records bands back in the day. And he’s from the Annapolis <Maryland> area, so we all kind of grew up with him. And it was on a whim, we asked him if he would want it to record drums. And I mean, he has been the best. And everything has worked out really well with Steve.
That’s great to hear. I reviewed your guys last EP, which was a self-titled effort. How did this process of adding the momentum gained from your last EP, which was a well-received effort, motivate your band to make more music right away?
I think that’s basically what kind of motivated us to do it. During the pandemic, it just shifted away from music. I mean, we stopped in 2019. We went on that tour, that farewell tour, and then the pandemic hit. And I mean, everyone just had nothing to do. So we decided to focus on doing other things besides music. And eventually, I said, “Well, I got some songs. You guys want to come over and see what happens?” And we’re like, “Okay, well, maybe we can still do this!” And it <The EP> got really positive views. And everyone was saying that <we> should start doing more stuff. So we kind of buckled down and focused on seeing what we could come up with.
That’s awesome. And I understand you also recently filmed a music video…?
Yeah, last night.
Okay, what song was that for? And what is the general theme of that video?
It’s for “Numb,” the title track. It won’t actually be released for a couple weeks, until when the album comes out. Naturally, I think we had a couple of different ideas. And just the lighting and the simple cinematography, we really just kind of focused on a live setting shot, but it was filmed in a really cool studio, a recording studio. The live room just has really cool colors. And I mean, it looks great. The director really did a really good job and got some really awesome shots. So I’m excited to see how he puts it all together…
That’s awesome. Your latest single, called “Alive,” I think, is a great song, first of all for Have Mercy. Can you explain how the lyrics and the music came together for that particular track?
Yeah, so it’s actually kind of funny. So me and Brian were sitting in the basement working on a couple ideas and he’s like, “Do you have anything?” And I’m like, “Honestly, the only thing I’ve been listening to is the new Taylor Swift album <Midnights>, constantly. So I took a chord progression that she used, which I thought was a really interesting chord progression, and we switched it to a tee for Brian. And we just kept playing it and that simple chord progression turned into a live <part> and I mean, it’s mostly focused on this self doubt. If you’re doubting yourself, and you’re doubting what’s going on around you at that time…
Can you tell me what Taylor Swift song off of Midnights that it was based around?
It was actually a couple of different ones, because she actually uses the same <progression> a couple times.
Nice! So I understand you recently wrapped up a brief East Coast tour, I think either this month or past month. Is that correct?
Yeah, we did. We did it in September, and October, I believe. Yes, we did a couple of days in the Midwest and the East Coast.
Okay, so did you play any songs off of the new record? And if so, what was the crowd reaction like to the new material?
It was really good! Very pleased too. It’s been, “Alive,” and we played one big surprise. It seems like it’s going to keep itself in the setlist for a while and it’s got a really good crowd reaction. And the live shows were great. We weren’t really sure what to expect. I hadn’t played in three years or so. So it was really fun, and we’re excited. We have a bunch of more stuff coming up. We haven’t announced yet, so it’s in sprinkles.
Awesome. So being a Marylander myself, I need to ask you: what are some of your favorite local bands from this area?
Oh, You Me and Everyone We Know. What Gatsby Gets Greenlight, they’re like Westminster. We’ve also seen All Time Low playing church basements and hanging out with those guys back in the day. There’s so many.
Are there certain venues in our area that you kind of look forward to each year?
For me, it’s Ottobar <in Baltimore>. I feel like that it kind of has a really cool vibe. And I grew up going to those shows up there all the time. Also, Recher <Theater> was a big venue for the local scene back in the day. So that’s always fun. It’s cool that it’s back up and running now.
Yeah, my cover band played there <Recher> before they closed! <Laughter> So, what does the rest of the year and beyond look like for Have Mercy?
So yeah, after Numb comes out, we have another tour. We’ll see when it gets announced, I think it’s next week. And then we have a couple other things planned for the rest of the summer that we haven’t really solidified yet, but there’s a lot of things happening. So let’s say we’re trying to go overseas again, and we’re going to end the year with a pretty big tour.
Looking forward to it! Anything else you can share about the direction your band took on Numb?
Yeah, it seems like we really tried to take it back to the basics with what me, Brian and Andrew have always kind of written in that style. So I think you’re gonna find a lot of those elements in there lyrically, and musically as well. But also just…you want to hear different things and stuff like we’ve been listening to over the years and how we’ve kind of progressed as musicians, and we kind of wanted to take our songwriting and see what we could do with it. It’s one of my favorite albums, I think, because we actually weren’t stressed on time or anything. We really prefer time and picking songs that we thought were for us and not like having a label or a management <side>. That kind of thing. So it was really more of like, all three of us really making the final decisions on it. And yeah, there’ll be a vinyl release coming out. It has five different variants. I saw the vinyl the other day and I’m really excited about it!
I can’t wait to get my hands on it too! Any last words for your fans?
Yeah, thanks for listening for the past 13 years we’ve been in a band, and we’re excited to keep it going. The fact that you guys keep coming out and listening means everything to us and we actually have more songs. There will be new material already. So there should be something else coming out soon, too…
Thanks so much! It was great to connect with you.
You too, Adam!