Discussion with Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys About His Extended Musical Journey
Strolling with Brian: An Uncommon Chat
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Brian Wilson, the iconic mind behind the Beach Boys, ambles into Capitol Records, donning a laid-back blue plaid shirt and vibrant kicks. The air hums with the melody of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" from their 1966 masterpiece, Pet Sounds. A security guard scurries to open the door for him, yet Wilson, lost in thoughts, hardly notices. He proceeds to the ninth floor, settling into a black leather chair with a piano behind him.
With a warm smile, he offers a casual greeting, his eyes twinkling as he inquires about the interview locale. "Sure," I reply, finding a seat next to him. He crosses his leg casually, exposing his navel.
Over the past year, Wilson has been working on his long-awaited solo album, No Pier Pressure, set to release on April 7th, his first album of original music since 2008. Thisnew project boasts a fresh, contemporary flavor, largely due to the impressive array of younger collaborators, including Kacey Musgraves, fun.'s Nate Ruess, and the duo She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward). Furthermore, Wilson managed to secure contributions from original Beach Boys members Al Jardine and David Marks, as well as '70s contemporary Blondie Chaplin.
Munching on a plain bagel and sipping Diet Coke, Wilson leaves no space unfilled during our conversation. His responses are slow and repetitive, revealing an internal battle between hunger and engagement. He occasionally asks questions to be repeated, or claims forgetfulness when uncomfortable. However, his demeanor is kind and gracious, and it's evident that he's tired of recounting his life story ad nauseam.
GQ: What are your greatest fear and your biggest regret?Brian Wilson: Fear? Death, plain and simple. Regret? Abusing drugs. I wish I hadn’t taken drugs.
You used to write songs on a lot of uppers- No, I swear I didn’t.
You didn't? Correct, not anymore at least.
Right, so is it difficult writing sober now? Not at all. It's much easier.
How has your songwriting process changed over the decades? It's just a bit slower now. The '60s were a whirlwind of creativity. The 2010s demand more patience, it takes a longer time to craft a record these days. The most challenging aspect is nailing the right chords for a song.
You recently worked on a song with Frank Ocean. Why did it not make your new album? Frank didn’t want to sing. He preferred rapping, and we couldn’t see that working for our track.
What made you choose to work with female musicians on this new record? It's not something you have done that much in the past. Collaborating with these ladies was a thrill. Zooey Deschanel and Kacey Musgraves are such talented performers. I had a hunch their voices would be perfect for these songs, and they didn't disappoint.
You claimed in a Rolling Stone interview in 1976 that writers run out of material. Do you still feel that way? Yes, I believe so. Creative wells run dry eventually.
Even though you've just made a new album? How come? I can't expand on that, but much of what you want to create has already been done before. Making something fresh is quite the challenge.
Do you ever jot down your thoughts or feelings in a notebook to inspire a song later? No, I have everything stored in my mind. I don't write anything down on paper.
Do you ever think about Phil Spector? Does he still inspire your music and sound? Phil's work still sparks inspiration in me. His records set my soul dancing and drive me to create.
Who are your favorite artists today? Artists? I don’t have any favorites. I stick to the oldies—the '50s, '60s, and '70s—they've got a special place in my heart. I seldom listen to contemporary music.
Next May will mark the 50th anniversary of Pet Sounds. How does that feel? It feels nostalgic, and I'm proud of the album.
What would you say your favorite Beach Boys album is? I'd probably choose Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) for its infectious rock and roll vibes.
If you could say something to your departed brothers Carl and Dennis right now, what would you say? I'd tell them how much I love their singing, their songwriting, and that I'm eternally grateful for their contributions to our music.
- Brian Wilson's new album, No Pier Pressure, showcases a blend of old and new, with influences drawn from various elements of contemporary culture, such as music, entertainment, and even sports-betting, as evident in the diverse lineup of collaborators.
- During their conversation, Wilson expressed his passion for preserving the Beach Boys' style while also appreciating the music and culture of earlier decades, confessing that his favorite artists are from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, and rarely does he listen to modern music.
- Despite working on his latest project, Wilson admitted that creativity can drain, as he once remarked in a 1976 interview, sharing his belief that creative wells eventually run dry. In sharing this perspective, he subtly acknowledged the challenges that come with the continual process of pulling weeds and nurturing new ideas in his artistic garden.
