Cds and also Judaism

Q:

Hi! Thank you for running this site! Bath County is one of my favorite songs, amd always reminds me of home up here in CT.
Do you plan on re-releasing old Wednesday CDs (Twin Plagues, IWTDYS)?
If you're comfortable answering, how do you feel Judaism/being Jewish has impacted your work/self?

A:

About the CD’s …. I don’t really know, I’m not usually the authority on that.

Some of the label ppl probably read this blog though to make sure I’m not saying anything INSANE

so if ya’ll see this: the people want CDs

As far as Judaism…. it effects everything in a funny way

Judaism as a culture laid the foundation of many aspects of my life. My most formative experiences were at Jewish Summer camp. Having a crazy (and lovable) Jewish grandma really scares you straight. There’s a lot of shit that is so cool about Judaism (I went to a reform synagogue though which is the chillest version… so can’t speak to anything more conservative than that) but something that I reallllly appreciate looking back on my early experiences in a religious space is that they don’t ever tell ya that you’re gonna go to hell.

I think that’s like a deeply traumatic thing for a child to hear….. just based on my observations of Christianity from the outside.

Judaism has a lot of beautiful singing and dancing and food and tradition and all of that has informed who I have become…!

It’s a VERY interesting time to be Jewish rn… the community is very divided. But eh…. la ti da

Rap World

Q: saw you had a pic of rap world on here and was wondering if that also was your fav movie of 2024? keep making fucking bangers

A: I really like that movie… ya’lll freakin LOVE that shit. I’ve never had such an outcry of love about any piece of media I have talked about on this website until I wrote about Rap World.

Idk if it’s my fave from that year… I don’t remember 2024 already ain’t that shit crazy lol

I think we were touring a ton in ‘24 and I barely watched any freakin’ movies…. so yeah… honestly might be my fave from that year based on the lack of competition

dbt band name origin

Q: Is the band name based on the drive-by truckers song wednesday?? Ty <3

A: I wish…. that would be cool. But no that was just a happy accident :)

I don’t know why we’re named Wednesday… I say a different thing every time someone asks how we got the name.

Sometimes a band name is just a word.

weed

Q: i was wondering what yr relationship w weed is like! u talked ab giving stuff up cold turkey and i feel like you’d have an opinion on this lol. that nc fake legal weed is scary but alas all i can get my hands on….curious what ur take is!

A: Went through a period in my early/mid twenties where I couldn’t touch the stuff without getting majorly paranoid. I think a lot of people have an experience like that.

I’ve come back around to it recently though and it’s been sweet to feel like I have the stability to handle it. I smoke pretty rarely though, I got one tiny bag from a friend for my birthday in November and I still have some of it left.

I don’t touch edibles though I can’t handle those things.

I smoke the CBDA North Carolina weed they have at dispensaries and don’t really have a problem with it. I use it mostly to alleviate my heinous period cramps or when I wanna sit and listen to music and have a cozy fuzzy warm bodily connection with it.

Whatever weed I smoke I need it to be pretty subtle, like barely there high. I prefer like “shitty” mid grade weed over that like really intense shit they have now.

hardcore books recommends

Q: Hi!

Recently read the article on you that was in The Guardian (from June 20) about the new record and the writer mentioned you receiving some books on punk and hardcore history! I thought that was super cool as that music and culture has been a major part of my life and own music/zine career for a long time. Just curious what books you've been checking out and what your thoughts are on everything so far, if you've had the time to? I was so obsessed when I got into all of that stuff, I read everything I could. Sometimes I wish I could go back and relive that same feeling of getting into it, so I wanted to reach out. If it's something that keeps your interest, let me say that it's definitely a complete rabbit hole from here on haha.

NC is such a great spot for current hc bands too, plus with Sorry State and the proximity to Richmond...I've never had a bad time whenever I've rolled thru!

If you're unfamiliar with any of these books, may I recommend? The "Flex" series. If you ever happen to come across any those in your travels or thrifting/record shop adventures, definitely pick them up! They're some of the best, most informative discographies on obscure punk/hardcore records from all over, but they're insanely hard to find. "Cut & Paste: The American Hardcore Fanzine" is a newer one but a really great compendium of old zines which covers a lot of important history as well, and "The Day the Country Died: A History of Anarcho Punk 1980–1984" is an important one from the more political/UK perspective. That's not even mentioning all of the photographic books out these days...

Hope you find something you really dig in all of it!

Stoked for the new record also, love the singles so far!

A: Mostly posting this one for other people interested in this research!

I juuuust finished the novel I’ve been reading yesterday and can finally dig into some of the books I was recommended: “American Hardcore”, “NYH” and “Straight Edge: A clear headed hardcore punk history”.

I’m sure I’ll be writing more thoughts about them on the blog once I can dig in a little further

Buffy <3

Q: Hello - love that you’re a big Buffy fan! I recently finished the series for the first time and really enjoyed it. How did you first get into it?

Wondering your opinions….favorite character(s)? Favorite episodes/storylines? Least favorite characters/storylines?

Also, have you watched the Angel spin-off series and do you have any thoughts on it?

Thanks and love your music and blog!!!!! :3

A: I first starting watching cause my roommate years ago showed me the episode “Hush” from season 5 (I think?) and I was instantly hooked and watched the shit obsessively. If I had the day off of work I would literally just sit in a Lazy boy recliner and watch Buffy from sun up to sun down. I was pretty lonely at the time so the characters were really comforting to me and felt like close friendships in a way by the series end. Then years later I forced Jake to watch it during covid with me and rekindled my obsession with it.

Some of my opinions:

I think Buffy/Sarah Michelle Gellar is one of the best main characters of any series ever. She’s hella flawed but so loveable and the acting is just so funny and dramatic and campy but also genuinely good.

Hate Joss Whedon obviously, but I love most of his shows. I love Firefly and Dollhouse. I think his writing style so soooo fucking influential but I hate his ass as a person.

Xander is one of the worst characters on TV ever. Don’t love Angel either tbh. I didn’t watch the Angel series cause I just don’t care about his azz.

Best characters Anya, Tara, Spike, Cordy and Buffy obvi <3

I love the Faith/Buffy arc the best I think?? But I literally love every season other than one. Dawn story is so crazy I can’t believe they pulled that shit off.

Season one feels like a slog just cause I know how it good it gets in all the later seasons.

Fave eps are probably “Hush”, the musical one obvi, anyone with alternate universe shit like vampire Willow etc, any Halloween eps, the chocolate that turns all the adults into teenagers, “The Zeppo” even though its a Xander episode ew, and hmmm….. any of the otha ones that are typically viewed as iconic (dont wanna spoil stuff for ppl that haven’t seen)

piss c0unt

Don’t think we have forgotten the piss counter for Bleeds. I’m fully expecting (at least) 2 more uses of the word by the time the full album drops. Loving it so far!!

A:

For the uninformed: each Wednesday album increasingly uses of the word piss

This was by accident but happened nonetheless

I regret to inform you that it is only used once on this album ( I think? ) and it’s on WOund Up HEre which is already out

my condolences

coll3ge lyfe

Q: Hey!! I’m moving from nc to chicagooo real soon for college. I was wondering if u have any advice on college living? Moving out and living on your own tips?? Love you lots :3

A: So cute that yall ask me about stuff like this, I feel like an older sisterrrrrrr(╥﹏╥)

Ummmm my best advice is don’t put too much pressure on finding a friend group ur first year. The people you initially hang with will probably completely 180 as you discover what you’re into/ what you like to do!

That being said, go out do shit that you’re interested to find people you get along w. Doesn’t necessarily have to be school related but def entangle your social shit with your hobbies so you find people that fuck with the same stuff you do

If you’ve wanted to start a band, try it! A lot of people wanna do that shit in college (yours truly for instance)

Take some classes outside of your major

Try to go to lots of house shows/ house parties. going to house shows when youre out of school makes you feel like a creep, I miss house shows :(

See a lot of music, movies, plays, whateva and go out if you got all ur work done cause after college your energy/availability for that shit goes down 2000%

Don’t date the same person for all four years

Try to eat all your food groups and exercise, you’ll feel a lot better in general if you do that when u can

ummmmmmmmmmmmm call ur parents every once in a while

best of luck ! xoxo

Wound Up Here reference

Q: okay i know yall said the line "wound up here by holding on" was from a poem but i cannot find that post anywhere... maybe i'm missing something idk. but i was just curious about what that poem was/who wrote it!! thank u so much

also i'm obsessed w this new single i haven't been able to stop listening to it!!!!! hope to see yall in louisville ky soon..... haha i wish

A: It’s referencing a line from my friend Evan’s book!

It’s available here :

https://bookshop.org/p/books/thickets-swamped-in-fence-coated-briars-evan-gray/20730799?ref=hearingthings.co

or here

https://asterismbooks.com/product/thickets-swamped-in-fence-coated-briars-evan-gray

Also I loooooooove Kentucky….. we’ll be there as soon as humanly possible

Getting Permission

Q:

First time caller long time listener here, i had a question regarding your stories. Your songwriting is very heavily laced with real stories from your life, which I love.

I have two question surrounding this. 1. What’s your protocol to clear that story with everyone involved? Because obviously sometimes these stories do not paint people well, I wanted to know what you have to do to be able to write about these stories. Do you have them sign something? Do you text them? I have no clue.

2. How do you decide if a story is good enough to include on a song? Sometimes the things you include in your writing are mundane, but they work in some weird way. Do you have a checklist or system you use? Or is it whatever fits the rhyme scheme? I’d love to know.

That’s about all I have about this but i might ask again if i think of something else. By the way if you could email me an mp3 of Pick Up That Knife that would be swell, ive been obsessed with that song since I heard it at the august asheville show. Thanks for reading this and thanks for making music, cant wait for everything that happens

A:

I think every situation is kinda different with this. I have not always asked people permission, but it’s always felt much much better when I do.

For example, I ran into the kid from high school who had overdosed on benadryl from “Chosen to Deserve” at a show once (he didn’t know I was playing lol) and we had already recorded the song but it wasn’t released. I was basically like “yo I hope that’s okay” and he was like “of course, I love that” and it was cool. Plus he’s doing really well in life so it’s like not kicking him while he’s down or something. Plus I don’t often use people’s real names so there is no real harm that would come from it.

Usually it’s best to have the finished product ready to show them so they can see the inherit beauty that lies within the story of theirs that you’re telling??

Idk I’m still figuring out this process though.

For your second question, idk, I just know when a story would make a good song… feels very natural. I think that is a part of my process that’s just always been there. I def have a list going of stories I wanna get to telling through song one day. I’ll never get to all of them…. at least in song form hehe.

I’m not gonna email you that, crazy!! But don’t worry you won’t have to wait too long for dat one in particular

Too weird

Q:

I'm a new fan and have been obsessed with Rat Saw God. When you are writing/recording a song do you ever think "this song is too long, weird, whatever" to put on an album?

This question was inspired by "bull believer" . The second half is amazing, especially when you start yelling (goosebumps every time) but I can see how it might not appeal to casual listeners.

A: One of my biggest suggestions to songwriters is never ever ever think about reception or the audience when making your music. It will nevvvvvvver serve the music or your fulfillment with it. I know it’s easier said than done but it is soooo important.

“Bull Believer” is a song I HAD to write, cause it helped me confront a wall I needed to get over to keep writing. I had been trying to write it for years and once I got it right there was nothing in the world that would’ve kept me from releasing it so I could perform it live and have the release that screaming gives me.

If people don’t fuck w that song or think it’’s too long I couldn’t care less cause it’s giving me what I needed so badly.

My obsession with all or nothin'

Q: hey! I’ve noticed in some of your posts you’ve touched on giving up certain things (like sugar) and also have lowered your screentime, I was wondering if you could expand on your experiences with figuring out that kind of thing for yourself? I’m hoping to get to a place where I can give up added sugar and weed but I’m 21 so everything feels like the end of the world lol, but also social media is kind of pressuring people into living “better” rn? idk. how has taking control of certain things like that affected your life? ofc only sharing to the extant that you’re comfortable, thanks in advance <3

A: I gave up sugar after working in a chocolate shop and a bakery where I was constantttttly eating sugar in a way that felt really out of my control. I feel really uncomfortable when I feel like anything outside of my own explicit decision making has power over things I do. So i’ve given all sorts of things up cold turkey just to see what it’d be like.

I tried giving up sugar with a friend like 8 years ago and it felt so good I just stuck with it. Just lots more energy, better skin, sugar started to taste really “chemical-y” after a while. All that being said I eat sugar accidentally all the time…. it’s in everything. It’s crucial that you forgive urself when you do that. Plus alcohol is sugar basically…. and i do consume that shit frequently…. I feel satisfied with the general intention being there tho.

You know what “living better” feels like to you! Is it when you go out with friends and get a meal or a drink? Is it when you get a good nights sleep? Is it smoking weed and listening to a record front to back? If a habit of yours continuously makes you feel shitty, try going without it and see how it feels! If it makes you feel better with out it try sticking with it but also forgive urself if ya stumble. If it brings you happiness and doesn’t cause serious harm though, idk, just weigh the pro/cons.

The best thing that has come from my practices with cold turkeying off of certain things is that it’s put me more in tune with my needs. Sometimes I’ll take breaks from alcohol, or weed, or certain behaviors as I need to without the intention of doing it forever and it’s nice!

Idk not an expert but thats what i got

How Many Wednesday Albums Are There.....

So in my eyes, bleeds would be yalls fourth album (describe, plagues, rat, bleeds) but I have seen several articles call it 6th, and I guess those people would be counting yep def (lol) and mowin the leaves as albums. What # album do YOU consider bleeds to be... help us settle this one

A: oh hm…. idk I actually have never really thought about this in depth.

Technically I guess six, but spiritually 5 to me! I feel like I wasn’t super solid on our identity as a band and in myself as a songwriter for Yep, Def. I feel like our true sound wasn’t really formed in any sort of way til IWTtDYS and even then it had such a long way to come. Yep, Def was more like a school project or somn idk.

I do consider the covers album in there cause that album for real showed me what a Wednesday song is, cause there was still an identifiable thing we did on those that felt “us” even though I didn’t write those songs. That alb revealed a lot of stuff to me about our dynamic as a band. Plus people ride so hard for that alb and I think that’s so goofy and special for a covers album <3

but I’m cool with people counting it however they please according to what they think!

ya'll I swear to G-d we're gonna play everywhere... esp the south duh

I really wanna see yall live. But unfortunately no GA show. Make things happen. pu.

Also I collect CDs but im pretty sure yall dont got cds of ur other projects. If yall ever make some lmk. Would love to have them. Ur stuff is awesome. Good luck in life :

A: There’s shows in the South and Texas and literally all the places that people are bummed aren’t on this first run that are already booked/in the process of being booked.

These are just the first run of shows that are announced….. patience my sweet babies

home

q:

Hi Karly!

Over the past couple of years you have become one of my favorite artists ever (saw you play Jake's show at brooklyn steel the other day making you one of my most seen musicians now) So so so grateful for your work !!

I'm moving into a new apartment in a couple of weeks so I've been thinking a lot about what I can do to make my new place feel like my own.

For you, what are your absolute must-haves? what kind of beer do you keep stocked in the fridge? coming back from tour what kind of things are you happy to see when you get home?

rock on >:D

A: You asked me this a really long time ago, but it got lost down in the depths of my email lol. Maybe ur already settled in by now but I’m gonna answer anywayz

My main must have is to have shit up on the walls…. I do that as soon as all my furniture is moved in. That is immediately what makes ur house feel homey. People thought I had been living in my house for like a years when I has only moved in like a month previous and I think that mostly has to do with stuff thats hung up… I think because a lot of people put off doing that specific thing.

IMO you dont need a frame for everything also, I just tape shit to the wall a lot of the time

I think rugs are also crucial if you got wood/non carpeted floors. It’ll really tie the room together ;)

Getting the necessary shit to play music and watch movies helps.

My fridge stays embarrassingly barren most of the time… I have to clear it out so often when I go out on tour so it’s a force of habit. I usually make one huge vat of soup or some type of salad/rice dish and just eat it for literally every meal until its gone and then I do it again.

I don’t keep beer in my fridge cause I try not to drink when I’m not on tour… but I do have some liquers on top of my fridge (I love fernet and nonino and averna and cynar they are my weakness) I usually only drink them on special occasions though.

When I come back from tour I’m excited to see literally everything in my house (minus the dust) but especially my cat Girl Girl <3

Memoriez

Q:

as a fellow memory having gurl who draws back into the past via mental/physical experiences and/or nostalgia (do you find yourself to be more nostalgic than the usual guy?), do you ever find that a large portion of your brain is being used to store these memories and your short term memory and processing of new experiences is just not firing on all cylinders?

Or maybe... do you struggle living in the present when the past in so in reach and comforting to crawl into?

I ask because... you resonate, your drawing in on memories resonates, and I find myself doin it a lot - and I wonder if it impedes my currently abilities to make new memories. Maybe my brain is just rotting. Or maybe this just happens as we age.

A: I try to only really think deeply/nostalgically about my past when I’m writing cause it is so wrought with extreme emotions and I can think more critically about stuff I’m further away from…

I think I would get a lil overwhelmed confronting past versions of myself if I thought about my past outside of my creative work. I look back fondly on moments from my past but I would neeeevvvvvverr wanna go back in time to experience most stuff from that time.

I don’t it impacts you negatively like ur saying to be nostalgic about the past. I think other things are much more likely to impede our ability to make new memories…? Mostly like, getting older and having less energy (or more critical thinking) to go out and do crazy shit.

I feel like (I think most people can relate to this also) the memories that come up for me against my will are always the most embarrassing and painful ones, and having that shit come up makes me physically wince its so uncomfortable.

I think something I’m more prone to do nowadawys is fantasize about the future. Sometimes I’ll meet someone and immediately start imagining our life together as a married couple growing old together??? Honestly I’m trying to get out of that habit though, I don’t think it’s the healthiest expectation to put on someone.

Bevvies

what is your beverage of choice for these situations:
- before a show
- after a show
- first thing in the morning
- out w/ friends

A:

Before a show: probably like a ginger shot or coconut water cause I feel like shit on tour from eating like shit/being tired and it revitalizes me a lil

After a show: I don’t really drink anything other than water after I get off stage, but on stage i drink Casa Migos tequila (stole this from the Truckers) or Fernet

First thing in the morning: I drink a mug of microwaved water lol…. supposed to be good for you. Then I drink mushroom coffee cause I’m mostly weened off caffeine.

Out with friends: When I’m out i’ll usually drink fernet if they got it or just like a tequila or vodka soda. I wish I could drink beer cause I like the taste but it hurts my stomach for some reason.

Saturn Return / getting older

Q:

Dear Karly,
I’ve been listening to Elderberry Wine on repeat since its release and it’s made me so excited for the new album!
I’ve just finished going through my Saturn Return and am about to turn 30 and the shifts and changes I have experienced throughout the last 2 years have felt like a real journey towards self actualisation and getting closer to who I’ve always wanted to be.
I guess my question for you, as someone of a simile age, do you fuck with the concept of your Saturn Return and what have your findings/feelings been so far?

A:

Yoooooo I’m definitely going through some transitional and highly transformative years, but I’ve always had trouble of seeing them in an astrological context. For whatever reason that lens never stuck with me. BUT I def think the late twenties/early thirties is like life defining shit.

I made a ton of changes in my life in the past couple of years once I was really able to think critically about what I wanted/needed from my life. I was able to take those needs seriously enough to put in the work to orient myself towards what I learned about myself in those years.

Every year/month/day that passes I solidify into my sense of self more and more and I am sooooo grateful I’m not steeped in the uncertainty that pervaded my early/mid 20’s. Aging so far has been such an incredible process. I’ve learned sosososososos much ESPECIALLY this year and that shit HURTS but it also feels so GOOD to know. Still learning of course… but damn is it easier to navigate life with a fully formed brain.

Where to procure Elderberry Wine / Greensboro shiyt

Q: i have been to total wine, bestway, and even called local wineries in the area but to no avail. please please where do i purchase some of that elderberry wine?! my girlfriend and i want to listen to elderberry wine while drinking elderberry wine!!! also i was wondering if you had any tips and tricks for getting yourself into the greensboro music scene specifically, im in a band and we want to play shows! (also i should mention that we did a show at app and did all wednesday covers bc we are your biggest fans ;) anyways, thank you for being epic or whatever :p

A:

This is blasphemy but….. I’ve never had Elderberry Wine………………………….

Xandy’s dad got some somewhere recently but I have no idea where. Maybe Dm him and ask. Xandy, not Xandy’s dad.

For Greensboro music scene I’d send your recordings to Etc, and Flat Iron and be like “hey if you ever need openers were locals”. Also I just met the person who runs house shows at Swag House (@swaghouse_shows) and they seem to be really organized widdit and are throwing all sorts of shows n stuff maybe DM them too!

Idk many more spots other than that cause it’s like UNCG kids throwing most of the shows probably and I would feel like 1,0000,000,,00,00,0,000000 years old/ very creepy tryna connect with those folks

OMGGG also did anyone record the Wednesday cover set??? Send it to me biytch!!

The G in LGBT stands for Greensboro

Q:

Hey Karly,
This is M**** K***(dont wanna dox u lol) from Greensboro/Richmond. First of all, I am really loving Elderberry Wine. It’s my favorite song of yours to date and I’ve had it on loop on this rainy Richmond day.

I was curious about what your opinion on living in Greensboro is after living elsewhere and moving back as an adult. I’ve always had conflicting opinions of my hometown but I am also its biggest cheerleader and have been thinking about it a lot lately.

A:

Honestly, I go back and forth with it. I love living here but sometimes I have to confront old versions of myself unavoidably here.

I know for a fact I never wanna live outside of North Carolina (if I had to for some reason I would not leave the south…. I would be in like eastern TN or Mississippi or Kentucky or something)

Greensboro mostly just rocks rn cause it’s great to be in a place I’m so familiar with when I’m not on tour and I can hang with my parents and my best friend from growing up. A lot of my high school buds are still here too.

Idk how long I’ll stay, I miss Asheville a lot sometimes. I needed to get out of there for a minny though and Greensboro’s been awesome for now!

I LOVE the idea of repping your random ass hometown with a vengeance which is why im so dedicated to being like “GREEENSBOROOOOOOOO woooo” anytime we do something. It made me who I am today or whateva, so I’m so thankful for this place.